When breast cancer cannot be safely treated by breast-conserving surgery, a modified radical mastectomy (MRM) removes the entire breast and the axillary lymph nodes while preserving the chest muscles — giving complete cancer clearance, an easier recovery, and the option of reconstruction. Medifly's senior surgical oncology teams in India perform MRM as routine with strong outcomes at $2,500–$5,000 all-inclusive, 80–90% less than the US or UK.
A modified radical mastectomy (MRM) is the surgical removal of the entire breast — breast tissue, the skin over the tumour, and the nipple-areola complex — together with the level I and II axillary lymph nodes, while carefully preserving the pectoralis major and minor chest muscles. It is one of the most widely performed and dependable operations for breast cancer.
MRM replaced the older, far more disfiguring radical (Halsted) mastectomy, which removed the chest muscles as well. By sparing those muscles, MRM achieves the same cancer control with better arm function, a smoother chest contour, easier reconstruction, and a faster recovery. According to the National Cancer Institute ↗, mastectomy with lymph node assessment remains a cornerstone of breast cancer treatment.
At Medifly Healthcare's partner hospitals, dedicated breast cancer teams — combining senior surgical oncologists, medical and radiation oncologists, pathologists, and reconstructive surgeons — perform MRM as routine. Whether your cancer is early-stage, multicentric, large relative to the breast, or locally advanced, the same world-class care is available at a fraction of Western prices. Learn more on our breast cancer treatment page.
Whether you have just been diagnosed, or you are facing a long wait and a frightening quote at home, these are the questions that keep families awake at night — and exactly how we resolve them.
In the USA, a modified radical mastectomy typically runs $15,000–$55,000 once you include surgery, anaesthesia, hospital stay, and pathology — and far more with reconstruction. In the UK private system, expect £10,000–£18,000. In India, the same operation by senior surgical oncologists costs $2,500–$5,000 all-inclusive — covering the surgery, anaesthesia, hospital stay, drains, and standard post-operative care.
Transparent written packages with no hidden charges — surgery, anaesthesia, hospital stay, drains, and follow-up included. Read about medical tourism →
In many countries, the wait for breast cancer surgery runs weeks to months, and delays allow the tumour to advance. India's high-volume breast units change this. Once your reports are reviewed and the tumour board approves your plan, MRM can usually be scheduled within days of arrival — giving patients a timely path to surgery before the disease progresses.
Your case is reviewed quickly by senior surgical oncologists who do MRM routinely, and surgery is scheduled promptly once you are cleared. Get an expert second opinion →
A very common, very human concern. The short answer: an MRM preserves the chest muscles, so arm strength and chest contour are far better protected than with the older radical operation. With graded physiotherapy, most patients regain full shoulder and arm movement. And with immediate or delayed reconstruction, a natural breast appearance can be restored. Lymphedema risk is actively managed from day one.
Muscle-sparing surgery, dedicated physiotherapy, lymphedema prevention, and reconstruction options are all built into the pathway. Meet our surgical team →
Breast cancer decisions hinge on stage, tumour size, receptor status (ER/PR/HER2), and whether breast conservation is possible — and the reports are full of unfamiliar terms. For a patient already coping with a diagnosis, this feels overwhelming. Medifly's medical team reviews your mammogram, biopsy, and staging, then a senior surgical oncologist gives you a clear, honest opinion on whether MRM, breast conservation, or another approach suits your case.
Real doctors review your reports first and explain your options clearly before any decision — no jargon, no pressure. See our consultant service →
Travelling abroad for cancer surgery sounds intimidating. You need an Indian medical visa, an attendant visa for family, flights coordinated around the surgery, accommodation that supports a 1–2 week stay (longer if chemotherapy or radiation follows), wound and drain care, language interpretation, transport to follow-up visits, and continuity with your home oncologist for years after. Medifly handles all of it as one coordinated service.
Full end-to-end coordination is built into the package — visa, travel, accommodation, daily wound and drain care, language support in 8+ languages, and long-term follow-up. See our coordination process → · Talk to a consultant →
We do not simply forward your reports to a referral panel. We connect you with breast units that perform hundreds of cancer surgeries per year — and we stay with you for years after you return home. Learn more about us →
Senior surgical oncologists, medical and radiation oncologists, pathologists, and reconstructive surgeons plan and treat as one tumour board — the model proven to deliver the best cancer outcomes.
Whether you need a modified radical mastectomy, breast-conserving surgery, or a skin- or nipple-sparing mastectomy, Medifly's network covers the complete range — matched to your cancer.
At select centres, reconstructive surgeons offer immediate or delayed reconstruction — implant-based or using your own tissue (DIEP/LD flap) — to restore a natural breast appearance.
For larger, node-positive, or locally advanced tumours, our teams coordinate neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery and have the volume and infrastructure to manage complex breast cancer cases.
Written, all-inclusive cost packages before you board. Surgery, anaesthesia, hospital stay, drains, and standard post-operative care included — with no surprise bills.
Medifly handles every logistical detail across the cancer journey — visas for patient and attendant, accommodation, daily wound and drain care, language interpretation, and follow-up after you return home.
Understanding exactly what happens during an MRM removes most of the fear. Here is the standard sequence at Medifly's partner hospitals.
Mammography, ultrasound, core biopsy, and receptor testing confirm the diagnosis. Staging scans and blood work are reviewed, and the tumour board approves MRM, with anaesthesia and reconstruction options discussed.
Under general anaesthesia, the surgeon makes an elliptical incision around the breast, marking out the tissue and skin to be removed while protecting the chest wall and muscles beneath.
The entire breast and nipple-areola complex are removed, and the level I and II axillary lymph nodes are cleared, while the pectoralis major and minor muscles, nerves, and vessels are carefully preserved.
Drains are placed, and the wound is closed (with reconstruction if planned). Total surgery 2–3 hours. The patient recovers on the ward; pathology guides any chemotherapy, radiation, or hormonal therapy that follows.
The right operation depends on tumour size and location, stage, whether the cancer is multicentric, receptor status, and your own preferences. Medifly's partner surgeons offer the full spectrum, with MRM the standard for many invasive cancers.
Removes the entire breast and the level I and II axillary lymph nodes while preserving the chest muscles. The standard operation for many invasive and multicentric breast cancers — complete clearance with a better functional result than older radical surgery.
Breast + nodes · muscle-sparingRemoves the tumour with a margin of healthy tissue while keeping the rest of the breast. Suitable for smaller, single tumours and usually followed by radiation. Preserves most of the natural breast.
Tumour only · breast preservedRemoves the whole breast without a full axillary node clearance — often combined with sentinel node biopsy. Used for early cancers, extensive DCIS, or risk-reducing surgery.
Breast only · no full node clearanceRemoves only the first one or two "sentinel" nodes the cancer would reach, to check for spread. If clear, a full axillary clearance can be avoided — sparing the patient lymphedema risk.
Node check · less invasiveRemoves breast tissue while preserving the breast skin envelope, allowing immediate reconstruction with a more natural result. Suitable when the skin is not involved by the tumour.
Skin preserved · reconstructionPreserves the skin and the nipple-areola complex while removing the underlying breast tissue, giving the most natural cosmetic outcome with immediate reconstruction. Used in carefully selected cases.
Nipple preserved · selected casesFor larger or locally advanced tumours, chemotherapy is given first to shrink the cancer, then MRM removes the residual disease. This sequence improves operability and informs further treatment.
Chemo first · then surgeryMRM combined with immediate or delayed reconstruction — using an implant or your own tissue — to restore the breast shape. Performed jointly by surgical and reconstructive teams.
Removal + restore shapeA modified radical mastectomy is advised when breast conservation is not safe or suitable, or when the cancer involves the lymph nodes. Here are the typical indications.
Invasive ductal or lobular carcinoma where the whole breast and axillary nodes should be removed for safe clearance.
When the tumour is large relative to the breast, removing it with conservation would leave a poor result — mastectomy is preferred.
Several tumours in different areas of the same breast usually cannot be safely treated by conservation.
When cancer has spread to the axillary lymph nodes, MRM clears the breast and the involved nodes together.
Larger, advanced tumours — often after neoadjuvant chemotherapy — are commonly treated with MRM.
Widespread ductal carcinoma in situ across the breast may require mastectomy rather than conservation.
After chemotherapy, MRM is part of the standard treatment for this aggressive form of breast cancer.
Cancer returning in a breast previously treated with conservation often requires mastectomy.
When radiation after conservation is unsafe (e.g. prior radiation, pregnancy, certain conditions), mastectomy is chosen instead.
Some patients choose mastectomy for peace of mind or to avoid radiation, after full counselling on the options.
BRCA or strong family-history cases may opt for mastectomy as treatment or to lower future cancer risk.
If cancer has spread to other organs, treatment priorities change — careful assessment is essential before any surgery.
An MRM can remove breast cancer completely and give an excellent chance of long-term survival — but it is major surgery with real considerations. Here is what to genuinely expect, in plain language.
A modified radical mastectomy is a well-established operation — for international patients, a typical stay is 1–2 weeks for surgery and early recovery, longer if chemotherapy or radiation follows. Here is the standard timeline.
WhatsApp +91 99449 38508 with your mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy, receptor report, and any staging scans. Expert surgical oncology assessment within 24 hours. No fee, no obligation.
Surgical plan, written cost package, hospital matching, e-Medical Visa, attendant visa, flights, and accommodation arranged.
Airport pickup, accommodation, in-person consultation, pre-operative work-up, tumour board confirmation, reconstruction discussion, and anaesthesia clearance.
Modified radical mastectomy. 2–3 hours under general anaesthesia. 2–4 days on the ward, with drains placed and pain well controlled.
Wound and drain care, physiotherapy, pathology review, adjuvant therapy planning, follow-up coordination with home oncologist, and return travel arranged.
All prices below are all-inclusive (surgery, anaesthesia, hospital stay, drains) and current for 2026. Indicative — your exact package depends on whether reconstruction is added, the complexity of your case, and hospital tier.
| Country / Region | MRM (All-Inclusive) |
|---|---|
| 🇺🇸USA (private hospitals) | $15,000 – $55,000 |
| 🇬🇧UK (private) | £10,000 – £18,000 (~$13,000–$23,000) |
| 🇩🇪Germany | €12,000 – €22,000 |
| 🇸🇬Singapore | SGD 24,000 – SGD 42,000 |
| 🇦🇪UAE / Dubai | AED 45,000 – AED 90,000 |
| 🇹🇭Thailand | $6,000 – $12,000 |
| 🇮🇳India (Medifly Partners) | $2,500 – $5,000 |
A typical patient travelling for a modified radical mastectomy saves enough to cover visas, flights, weeks of accommodation, and ongoing follow-up — often the difference between affordable and impossible.
The more complete your pre-arrival package, the smoother your evaluation, surgery, and recovery. Here is the checklist we share with every breast cancer patient.
For over 15 years, Medifly Healthcare has been the trusted partner for international and domestic patients seeking breast cancer surgery and complex care in India. Read our story → · Meet our doctors →
Senior surgical oncologists, medical and radiation oncologists, and pathologists working as one tumour board — hundreds of breast cancer surgeries per year per centre, the volume proven to deliver the best outcomes.
Surgery only at top NABH (India) and JCI (international) accredited multispecialty and cancer hospitals — Apollo, Fortis, MGM Healthcare, Gleneagles, Kauvery, SIMS.
Real doctors review your reports first — not call-centre staff. Your case is understood properly before it reaches the surgical team.
WhatsApp +91 99449 38508 any time. A real coordinator who knows your case responds — not an automated system or chatbot.
English, Arabic, French, Russian, Bengali, Tamil, Hindi, Swahili — communicate in the language you are most comfortable with.
After you return home, our team continues coordinating with your local oncologist — adjuvant therapy, surveillance imaging, and long-term care.
All Medifly partner hospitals are NABH-accredited, with most also holding JCI international accreditation. Each has dedicated breast cancer units, surgical oncology teams, and combined medical–surgical–radiation oncology boards. Compare top breast cancer hospitals in India →
 in India _ Cost, Procedure & Best Hospitals 2026 _ Medifly Healthcare_files/MGM-Healthcare-150x150.png)
MGM Healthcare
Surgical Oncology Unit
 in India _ Cost, Procedure & Best Hospitals 2026 _ Medifly Healthcare_files/Gleneagles-HealthCity-150x150.png)
Gleneagles Global
Breast & Cancer Care
 in India _ Cost, Procedure & Best Hospitals 2026 _ Medifly Healthcare_files/fortishealthcare-150x150.png)
Fortis Healthcare
Oncology & Breast Surgery
 in India _ Cost, Procedure & Best Hospitals 2026 _ Medifly Healthcare_files/Kauvery-Hospital-150x150.png)
Kauvery Hospital
Comprehensive Care
 in India _ Cost, Procedure & Best Hospitals 2026 _ Medifly Healthcare_files/apollospectra-1-150x150.png)
Apollo Hospitals
Cancer Excellence
 in India _ Cost, Procedure & Best Hospitals 2026 _ Medifly Healthcare_files/simshospitals-150x150.png)
SIMS Hospital
Tertiary Oncology
These patients faced invasive breast cancer and chose modified radical mastectomy in India when time and cost were against them. Each one is living well today. Start your story →
"My breast cancer was node-positive and the cost at home was impossible. Medifly arranged my MRM in Chennai with a senior surgical oncologist. The surgery went smoothly, my arm recovered fully with physiotherapy, and I had reconstruction later. Two years on, I am well and working."
"My mastectomy was quoted at over $40,000 in the US and our insurance left a huge gap. Medifly arranged the same muscle-sparing surgery in India for a fraction of that. The surgeon had done hundreds of these operations. I felt completely cared for."
"I'm from Patna. My local hospital had no surgical oncology unit. Medifly's senior surgeon assessed me, planned an MRM, and the surgery took under three hours. The drains came out in twelve days and my pathology guided the chemotherapy. Total cost was a fraction of what I feared."
"My wife had a large tumour and was advised mastectomy. The Abu Dhabi quote was enormous and the wait uncertain. The Chennai breast team had treated thousands of cases. They did the MRM with immediate reconstruction. She is recovering beautifully and her reports are clear."
"Two hospitals in Lagos delayed my surgery for months. Medifly arranged urgent assessment in India — chemotherapy first to shrink the tumour, then MRM within weeks. The coordinator visited daily and stayed in touch with my doctor at home for over a year."
"The wait for surgery at home was long and I was anxious about the cancer spreading. I was assessed and operated within a week of arriving in India. The muscle-sparing technique meant my arm recovered quickly. The team are still in touch with my GP about follow-up."
According to the World Health Organization ↗, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide — and for many, surgery is the central step toward a cure.
You have been told the whole breast needs to be removed — because of tumour size, multiple tumours, or node involvement. MRM is the standard, dependable operation, and India's high-volume teams perform it routinely.
If the wait for surgery at home runs weeks to months and you are anxious about the cancer advancing, MRM in India can usually be scheduled within days of arrival once you are assessed.
If you have been quoted $15,000+ in the US, £10,000+ in UK private, or AED 45,000+ in UAE for a mastectomy, India offers the same surgery by similarly-trained surgical oncologists at $2,500–$5,000 all-inclusive.
If you want your breast shape restored, India's centres offer immediate or delayed reconstruction alongside MRM — combining cancer surgery and reconstruction with experienced teams.
If you have had neoadjuvant chemotherapy and now need surgery to remove the residual tumour, MRM completes that treatment — and our teams coordinate the full sequence.
If your local hospital has no surgical oncology programme — whether you are in a smaller Indian city or a country without cancer facilities — Medifly arranges your full pathway with an experienced team in India.
The decision deserves the best information. A senior surgical oncology team reviews your reports within 24 hours and gives you a written, honest assessment — whether MRM is appropriate, whether conservation or reconstruction suits your case, what it will cost, and how soon we can arrange it. No fee. No obligation. Only clarity.
Send your reports today via WhatsApp. Within 24 hours, a senior surgical oncology team tells you whether MRM is appropriate, whether conservation or reconstruction suits your case, exactly what it will cost, which Indian hospital fits your case, and how soon we can arrange it. Then — if you choose to proceed — we coordinate every detail from visa to surgery to long-term follow-up. Explore: breast cancer treatment → · patient blog →
