Is chemotherapy needed after a full mastectomy?

Whether chemotherapy is needed after a complete mastectomy depends on the specific circumstances. If the prognosis of the malignant tumor is favorable, chemotherapy may not be necessary; however, if the prognosis is poor, postoperative chemotherapy is usually required to control the activity of cancer cells and prevent disease recurrence.

For benign breast tumors or carcinoma in situ, patients who undergo prophylactic removal typically experience symptom improvement with surgery alone and have good postoperative recovery, so chemotherapy is generally not required. In cases of malignant breast lesions such as breast cancer, the tumor results from abnormal proliferation of malignant cells and often has unclear borders, making it difficult for surgery alone to completely remove all cancerous tissue. Additionally, malignant cells can spread through blood vessels or lymphatic channels, leading to a poorer prognosis. Therefore, chemotherapy is commonly recommended after mastectomy. Some patients may even require additional treatments such as radiotherapy. These individuals should also schedule regular follow-up visits at the hospital.

During chemotherapy, adverse reactions such as gastrointestinal discomfort may occur. Patients can take traditional Chinese medicine as directed by their physician to alleviate these symptoms. It is also important to maintain proper nutrition and engage in appropriate exercise to strengthen the body's resistance to disease.