Mastectomy: Surgical removal of the entire breast, sometimes including nearby lymph nodes.
- Indications: Large tumors, multicentric disease, patient preference, or inability to receive radiation.
- Follow-up treatment: May still require systemic therapy (chemotherapy, endocrine, HER2-targeted) based on tumor biology.
- Oncology pharmacist relevance: Choice of surgery can influence adjuvant therapy planning and supportive care needs (e.g., pain management, lymphedema prevention).
Key point: Mastectomy = complete breast removal, often with sentinel node or axillary dissection, usually for local control or patient preference.
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