Radical mastectomy

Radical mastectomy is a surgical procedure that treats breast cancer by removing the breast and its underlying chest muscle (including pectoralis major and pectoralis minor), and lymph nodes of the axilla (armpit).

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. In the early twentieth century it was primarily treated by surgery, which is when the mastectomy was developed. From 1890 to 1971, this invasive procedure was performed solely because it was believed to be the best option. William Halsted, M.D. (one of the first to achieve successful results with the radical mastectomy) and others refused to hear alternative proposals or perform research to conclude their findings; moreover, there was no control group to guide the process of deciding whether radical mastectomies were helping to extend patients' lives.

However, with the advancement of technology and surgical skills in recent years, mastectomies have become less invasive. As of 2016, a combination of radiation therapy and breast-conserving mastectomy are considered optimal treatment.