Simple Radical Mastectomy in India — clear answers, expert surgery, coordinated care.
A mastectomy removes breast tissue to treat or reduce the risk of breast cancer. The right operation may be a simple (total) mastectomy, modified radical mastectomy, skin-sparing mastectomy, nipple-sparing mastectomy, or—rarely—a classical radical mastectomy. Medifly coordinates assessment, surgery, reconstruction and follow-up at established hospitals in Chennai for patients from India and abroad.
What the surgeon decides
Simple, skin-sparing, nipple-sparing or modified radical
Sentinel-node biopsy or axillary dissection when indicated
Immediate, delayed or no reconstruction—based on your needs
“Simple” and “radical” are not the same operation.
Simple or total mastectomy removes nearly all breast tissue, usually including the nipple–areola complex, but does not routinely remove the chest muscles or all underarm lymph nodes. A sentinel lymph-node biopsy may still be performed.
Modified radical mastectomy removes the whole breast and levels I–II axillary lymph nodes while preserving the pectoral muscles. Classical radical mastectomy also removes chest muscles and is now rarely required. Because “simple radical mastectomy” is sometimes used loosely, your written plan should name the exact procedure and lymph-node approach.
This page covers all of these possibilities. Your operation must be selected after examination, imaging, biopsy review, staging and multidisciplinary discussion. Get an expert second opinion →
Why a breast surgeon may recommend mastectomy.
It may be advised when breast conservation is unsuitable, unsafe, unlikely to give a good result, or not preferred by the patient.
Large tumour relative to breast
Removing the tumour alone may leave inadequate margins or major distortion.
Multicentric disease
Cancer is present in separate areas or quadrants of the same breast.
Persistent positive margins
Cancer remains at the specimen edge after one or more breast-conserving operations.
Inflammatory breast cancer
Usually treated with systemic therapy first, followed by modified radical mastectomy and radiation.
Radiation is unsuitable
Prior radiation, pregnancy timing or certain connective-tissue conditions may affect breast-conservation options.
Risk-reducing surgery
Selected people with a high-risk pathogenic variant or very strong family history may consider bilateral mastectomy after counselling.
Local recurrence
Mastectomy may be recommended when cancer returns in a breast previously treated with lumpectomy and radiation.
Informed patient preference
Some eligible patients choose mastectomy after discussing survival, recurrence, sensation, appearance and reconstruction.
One coordinated team from report review to recovery.
Medifly connects each patient with an appropriate hospital and senior multidisciplinary team, while coordinating practical details before, during and after treatment.
Specialist Review
Biopsy, receptor profile, imaging, stage and health history reviewed before recommending an operation.
Tumour Board Planning
Surgical, medical and radiation oncology inputs help sequence chemotherapy, surgery and radiation correctly.
Reconstruction Choice
Implant, autologous-flap, flat closure, immediate or delayed reconstruction discussed without pressure.
Clear Cost Package
A written estimate explains inclusions, exclusions, expected stay and factors that could change the bill.
Travel Coordination
Visa letters, accommodation, airport support and local appointments for eligible international patients.
Follow-Up Support
Pathology, drain care, rehabilitation and onward oncology plans shared for continued care at home.
What happens before, during and after surgery.
Confirm diagnosis and stage
Clinical exam, mammogram/ultrasound, biopsy, ER/PR/HER2 testing and staging scans when indicated.
Plan operation
Anaesthesia assessment, medicines review, lymph-node mapping, reconstruction consultation and consent.
Remove breast tissue
Under general anaesthesia, the surgeon removes the planned tissue through an incision designed around the oncologic and reconstruction plan.
Assess lymph nodes
Sentinel nodes may be sampled. Axillary dissection is used only when clinically indicated by node status and treatment plan.
Close or reconstruct
Reconstruction or aesthetic flat closure is completed, drains are placed if needed, and dressings applied.
Review pathology
The final report confirms tumour size, margins and nodes, guiding chemotherapy, radiation, endocrine or targeted therapy.
The exact operation is matched to cancer biology, anatomy and goals.
Simple / Total Mastectomy
Whole breast removed; chest muscles and routine full axillary clearance are preserved.
Modified Radical Mastectomy
Whole breast plus axillary lymph nodes removed; pectoral muscles preserved.
Skin-Sparing Mastectomy
Most breast skin is retained to support immediate reconstruction; nipple usually removed.
Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy
Skin and nipple–areola preserved in carefully selected patients after oncologic assessment.
Classical Radical Mastectomy
Breast, axillary nodes and chest muscles removed; now reserved for unusual direct muscle involvement.
Bilateral Mastectomy
Both breasts removed for bilateral disease or selected risk-reduction decisions after counselling.
Immediate Reconstruction
Implant or tissue-flap reconstruction performed during the mastectomy.
Delayed Reconstruction / Flat Closure
Reconstruction occurs later, or the chest is closed flat with contour-focused planning.
An honest view helps you give informed consent.
Potential Benefits
- Removes extensive or multicentric breast disease.
- May avoid whole-breast radiation in some—but not all—patients.
- Can reduce new breast-cancer risk in carefully selected high-risk patients.
- Offers immediate or delayed reconstruction and aesthetic flat-closure choices.
- May reduce repeated surgery when clear margins are difficult to achieve.
Risks & Trade-Offs
- Bleeding, infection, seroma, delayed healing or skin-flap necrosis.
- Numbness, tightness, chronic pain, altered body image and loss of breast/nipple sensation.
- Shoulder stiffness and reduced arm movement.
- Lymphoedema risk, especially after axillary dissection and radiation.
- Implant or flap complications and possible revision surgery.
- Mastectomy does not guarantee that chemotherapy or radiation will be unnecessary.
Seek urgent medical help for fever, worsening redness, pus, sudden swelling, breathlessness, chest pain, uncontrolled pain, or a dusky/black skin flap.
Your preparation checklist.
Medical records
Biopsy slides/blocks, pathology, receptor status, imaging files, prescriptions and prior treatment summaries.
Medication review
Tell the team about blood thinners, diabetes drugs, supplements and allergies; stop nothing without instructions.
Health optimisation
Control blood sugar and blood pressure, stop smoking, improve nutrition and treat active infections.
Reconstruction counselling
Discuss radiation likelihood, implant vs flap, scars, sensation, symmetry, recovery and future revisions.
Home planning
Arrange an adult companion, loose front-opening clothes, transport, help with meals and drain support.
Consent questions
Confirm exact mastectomy type, node plan, reconstruction, expected stay, pathology timing and emergency contact.
What most patients can expect.
Timing varies with reconstruction, lymph-node surgery, complications, age and general health.
Hospital: 1–3 days
Pain control, walking, arm assessment, wound checks and drain teaching. Complex flap reconstruction may require longer.
Week 1–2
Short walks, drain log, prescribed exercises and wound review. Avoid lifting and driving until cleared.
Week 2–4
Many resume light desk work; drains are often removed when output is sufficiently low.
Week 4–8
Gradual return to normal activity and strengthening, guided by the surgeon or physiotherapist.
Ongoing
Pathology-led oncology treatment, scar care, shoulder rehabilitation, lymphoedema prevention and emotional support.
Indicative planning ranges—not a substitute for a written quote.
Costs vary by city, hospital, surgeon, room, node surgery, reconstruction, implant/flap, medical conditions and length of stay.
| Procedure | Indicative starting range |
|---|---|
| Simple / total mastectomy | From USD 2,500 |
| Modified radical mastectomy | From USD 3,000 |
| Mastectomy with implant reconstruction | From USD 5,000 |
| Mastectomy with autologous flap | Personalised estimate |
Typically reviewed for inclusion: surgeon, anaesthesia, theatre, standard room, routine medicines, pathology and follow-up. Implants, complex reconstruction, blood products, ICU, complications, prolonged stay, chemotherapy and radiation may be separate. Prices are indicative and must be confirmed in writing.
Send the biopsy, imaging, stage, medical history and preferred room category for a case-specific estimate.
Request EstimatePlan the medical trip before booking flights.
Medifly can help coordinate hospital appointments, a treatment invitation letter, accommodation and local support. Visa approval and airline fitness rules remain subject to the relevant authorities.
See Medical Tourism SupportPassport validity, medical visa requirements and attendant documents
Digital and original pathology, scans and current medicines
Stay long enough for surgery, pathology, drain review and fitness-to-fly clearance
Plan for a companion, local transport, emergency buffer and follow-up at home
Do not fly with drains or soon after surgery unless your treating surgeon explicitly clears it
Clinical coordination with practical, human support.
Breast Specialists
Cases matched to experienced surgical oncology teams.
Accredited Hospitals
Hospital selection based on clinical need and services.
Multidisciplinary Care
Surgery coordinated with pathology and oncology.
Transparent Planning
Written pathway, estimate and practical checklist.
International Support
Travel and local coordination when required.
Follow-Up
Records organised for continued treatment at home.
Simple radical mastectomy—answered clearly.
For advice specific to your diagnosis, speak with a breast surgeon who has reviewed your reports.
Leave the consultation knowing exactly what is planned.
Which exact mastectomy?
Why is it preferred over breast-conserving surgery in my case?
Which lymph-node procedure?
Sentinel biopsy or axillary dissection—and what is my lymphoedema risk?
Can skin or nipple be spared?
Is it oncologically safe for my tumour location and imaging?
What reconstruction suits me?
Immediate, delayed, implant, flap or flat closure—and how could radiation affect it?
What will pathology decide?
When will results arrive, and could I still need chemotherapy or radiation?
What does the quote include?
Ask about implants, pathology, ICU, complications, revisions, stay and follow-up.
Get the right operation—not just a generic recommendation.
Send your reports for a case-specific review. Medifly will help coordinate the appropriate breast surgeon, hospital, treatment sequence, estimate and practical plan for care in India.