Most patients diagnosed with breast cancer may have a lumpectomy or partial or full mastectomy to remove the tumor and affected lymph nodes from the breast and underarm areas (axilla).    Patients diagnosed with stage I or stage II breast cancer are less likely to need chemotherapies or radiation therapies after mastectomy. These patients are often good candidates for immediate breast reconstruction, performed at the same time as the mastectomy surgery. The same applies to women who undergo prophylactic mastectomy - mastectomy to reduce a high risk of getting breast cancer later in life.    However, patients diagnosed with stage III or stage IV cancers almost always need to undergo further cancer treatment after mastectomy or lumpectomy, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Most doctors suggest all cancer treatments be complete before the patient opts for breast reconstruction. It might take from 6 months to several years after mastectomy or lumpectomy for the patient to be ready for breast reconstruction surgery.