Although the focus is on total mastectomy, it's important to understand its variations:
- Simple (or total) mastectomy: Removes the entire breast tissue, including the nipple, areola, and skin. - Modified radical mastectomy: Includes removal of the entire breast and some of the axillary lymph nodes. - Radical mastectomy: An extensive procedure that removes the breast, chest wall muscles, and all the lymph nodes under the arm (rarely performed today).
