Question 1

will i be able to keep my nipples during a mastectomy?

Accepted Answer

It depends.: When a mast-x is recommended to treat a breast cancer, this usually includes removal of the nipple-areolar complex.  In recent years, studies have shown that select cancers can be treated by sparing the nipple and areola.  Furthermore, when performing a mast-x to prevent cancer ("prophylactic mast-x"), the nipple-areolar complex is often spared, especially when combined with a reconstruction.

Question 2

if the nipples are removed during a mastectomy, can they be reattached?

Accepted Answer

No: When patients undergo standard mastectomy, the nipples are removed and cannot be reattached.  A better option in select patients would be to undergo a nipple-sparing mastectomy, which allows for preservation of the nipple and areola during mastectomy without removing them.  For patients who have had the nipple removed during mastectomy, nipple reconstruction is available.

Question 3

if a woman has a mastectomy, are the nipples removed also?

Accepted Answer

Yes: All the time , some times spared in prophylatic mastectomy , due to gentic defects where the tumor(s) did not develop yet.

Question 4

when you have a mastectomy will they remove the nipples too?

Accepted Answer

Usually: But recently not always .There are nipple sparing techniques that are being followed very closely by the surgical community. Patients have to meet very specific criteria to be candidates for nipple sparing mastectomies as the goal is to not leave any cancer behind as well as provide the best  cosmetic result.

Question 5

i wanted to know when you have a mastectomy like angelina, do they remove the nipples too?

Accepted Answer

Not always.: The nipple has a small amount of breast tissue and can develop a cancer rarely. To truly remove all the breast tissue, the nipple has to go.  In the case with angelina, here surgery was prophylactic meaning there was not any cancer present, she had the surgery to reduce the risk. In that setting some of the plastic surgeons who do reconstruction surgery will request that the nipples be undisturbed.

Question 6

can i have a mastectomy without removing the nipple?

Accepted Answer

Yes withreservations: Nipple saving mastectomy is often done in brca 1 or2 (genetically positive) patients(before cancer diagnosis) or in any patients withdcis or small- less than approx. 2 cm cancers- all at least 2 cm away from areola margin , no extensive dcis, no blood vessel invasion, no skin-muscle invasion .... No clinically positive lymph nodes under arm.But bra -cup size-must be: a or b cup, or not ptotic c cup.

Question 7

remove the nipples when they do a simple mastectomy?

Accepted Answer

Usually: The gold standard oncologic mastectomy still includes removal of all the glandular tissue including the nipple/areolar complex since the ducts insert into the tip of the nipple. Leaving the nipple thus means leaving a minimal amount of breast tissue. Nipple sparing mastectomies are being done on an investigational basis for small tumors away from the nipple understanding the above.

Question 8

can the nipple be spared when having a mastectomy?

Accepted Answer

In most cases: A nipple sparing mastectomy can be performed for most women. At the time of surgery, a biopsy will be done of the tissue just behind your nipple; if this shows cancer, then your doctor will remove the nipple.  It is not a good idea for women with large tumors, those with inflammatory cancer and women with tumors close to or involving the skin.  See a breast surgeon or surgical oncologist.

Question 9

please explain why is the nipple removed in mastectomy?

Accepted Answer

Spread of cancer: Cells travel alonthe ducts to the nepple , may get recurrence , some times as in paget, s disease nipple is already involved.  In prophylatic mastectmy where cancer did not appear ( brca  genetic cancer )  some times nipple is spared.

Question 10

could mastectomy involve nipple removal?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Many times mastectomy means removal of the nipple. There is a nipple sparing mastectomy that can be done. I would suggest this be discussed with your surgeon.

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Will I be able to keep my nipples during a mastectomy

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Will i be able to keep my nipples during a mastectomy?

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If the nipples are removed during a mastectomy, can they be reattached?

A member asked:

If a woman has a mastectomy, are the nipples removed also?

A member asked:

When you have a mastectomy will they remove the nipples too?

A member asked:

I wanted to know when you have a mastectomy like angelina, do they remove the nipples too?

A member asked:

Can i have a mastectomy without removing the nipple?

A member asked:

Remove the nipples when they do a simple mastectomy?

A member asked:

Can the nipple be spared when having a mastectomy?

A member asked:

Please explain why is the nipple removed in mastectomy?

A member asked:

Could mastectomy involve nipple removal?

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