title: A mastectomy--how so? An etymologic plea.
abstract: The word mastectomy and its modifiers are used so loosely and have so many meanings in the literature that it is often difficult to determine precisely what procedure the authors are discussing. Simple descriptive terms should be used that would standardize the terminology with respect to operative techniques. The classical term radical mastectomy should be reserved to refer to a complete en bloc resection of the breast with the pectoralis major and minor muscles and the entire axillary contents, with or without a skin graft for wound closure. A total mastectomy should indicate a complete resection of the breast, including the fascia of the pectoralis major muscle. A local excision should be defined as a resection of the primary tumor with margins that are free of disease, with specific margins stated if desired. The axillary lymph node dissection should be defined according to the extent of the axillary contents excised.
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000379:methods*; D009626:Terminology as Topic