Final answer:
A mastectomy is the surgical removal of one or both breasts, potentially including breast tumors and axillary lymph nodes, to treat or prevent breast cancer. The correct option is 4) Breast tissue and axillary lymph nodes.
Step-by-step explanation:
A mastectomy is the surgical procedure involving the removal of one or both breasts. This operation is often undertaken to treat or prevent breast cancer and may also involve the removal of breast tumors and breast tissue and axillary lymph nodes.
A mastectomy can vary in the extent of tissue removal, with some procedures also removing lymph nodes in the underarm area to prevent the spread of cancer.
It's important to distinguish a mastectomy from procedures like a biopsy, which is the removal of a small tissue specimen for analysis, typically to diagnose cancer. Surgery is a common treatment for isolated, solid cancers, aiming to remove the tumor mass and potentially local lymph nodes.
While a complete cure is the goal in situations where the cancer is localized, even in more advanced stages, surgery can alleviate symptoms and extend a patient’s life.