Mastectomy is a general term for removal of the breast. It is normally performed to remove cancerous tissue. There are several types of mastectomies.

1. Partial mastectomy is the removal of a limited amount of breast tissue, only sufficient to ensure that the margins of the tissue removed are free of cancer.
2. Simple mastectomy is the removal of one or more breasts, but not the adjacent lymph nodes.
3. Modified radical mastectomy is the removal of the breast tissue as well as the axillary lymph nodes, located under the arm.
4. Radical mastectomy is the removal of all of the breast tissue, including the chest wall muscles and axillary lymph nodes. This procedure is now rare having been replaced by less invasive procedures.
5. Prophylactic mastectomy is the removal of one or both breasts without the presence of cancer. This procedure is also referred to as a preventative mastectomy.