There are many instances in which breast surgery may need to be performed. Among the most common types of breast surgery are breast biopsies for suspected cancerous lumps, lumpectomies or mastectomies to cut out a known breast cancer, and cosmetic breast surgery including breast lift, breast augmentation and breast reduction.

Nearly all cases of breast surgery are considered "elective" which means that the surgeon and patient have time to discuss the problem and schedule the surgery for a convenient time. Consideration must be given to the expected outcome, both in terms of curing disease and preserving appearance of the breast.

Let's examine some of the most common types of breast surgery.

Breast surgery can consist of a simple biopsy, in which a small incision is made near a suspicious mass, and the mass is cut out. If cancer is confirmed by biopsy, more extensive breast surgery may be required. This breast surgery could consist of: lumpectomy, in which only a portion of the breast including all of the cancerous mass, is removed; simple mastectomy in which the entire breast and nothing else is removed; modified radical mastectomy in which the breast and some underlying tissue is removed; or radical mastectomy in which lymph nodes and underlying muscle are also removed.

After any type of mastectomy, further breast surgery in the form of breast reconstruction is commonly required. In this type of breast surgery, muscle tissue from near the breast is taken and used to reconstruct the are to appear similar to a normal breast.

This type of breast surgery is one of several types of cosmetic breast surgery. Breast lift is a type of breast surgery in which excess fat is removed and the overlying skin tightened in order to lift and improve the appearance of the breast. This type of breast surgery is similar to breast reduction in which oversized breasts are reduced in size; and breast augmentation, in which silicon or saline filled sacks are implanted to enlarge the breasts.

Breast size and appearance are important, both for psychological reasons of self-esteem as well as for orthopedic considerations such as posture (oversized breasts can cause damage to the spine). For these reasons, careful consideration should be given before undertaking breast surgery.