At MSK, breast surgeons [who perform mastectomies] and plastic surgeons [who reconstruct breasts] work closely with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and with the patients themselves to develop the optimal surgical treatment and a reconstruction strategy.

What kind of doctor performs a mastectomy?

A general surgeon performs a mastectomy. A general surgeon specializes in the surgical treatment of a wide variety of diseases, disorders and conditions. Some general surgeons specialize in the treatment of patients with breast disease; they may use the term breast surgeon.

Do they still do mastectomies?

Radical mastectomy.

The entire breast is removed, including the nipple, the areola, the overlying skin, the lymph nodes under the arm, and the chest muscles under the breast. For many years, this was the standard surgery. But today it is rarely done. It may be advised when breast cancer has spread to the chest muscles.