Lumpectomy

What is a lumpectomy?

A lumpectomy is a surgery to remove the breast lump and a small amount of normal tissue around it. This is usually done for breast cancer. It is known as a breast-conserving surgery.

What other surgeries are done for breast cancer?

In addition to a lumpectomy, doctors can perform other surgeries to treat breast cancer. Here is a summary of other common types of breast cancer surgery:

• Partial mastectomy. Like a lumpectomy except that more of the breast tissue is removed. It is usually followed by radiation therapy. It is also a breast-conserving surgery.
• Simple or total mastectomy. Surgery to remove the entire breast. Some of the lymph nodes under the arm may be removed at this time with a separate incision. Most women, if they are hospitalized, can go home the next day.
• Modified radical mastectomy. This operation involves removing the entire breast, many of the lymph nodes under the arm, the lining over the chest muscles, and sometimes, part of the chest wall muscles.
• Radical mastectomy. This is extensive removal of entire breast, all of the lymph nodes under the arm and the chest wall muscles under the breast.

The type of surgery you have depends upon your breast cancer diagnosis, your doctor's recommendation, and in some cases, your preference.

Why does a lumpectomy need to be done?

A lumpectomy is usually done to treat breast cancer. In some cases, a woman may have an option to choose between a mastectomy and a lumpectomy. Choosing to have a lumpectomy almost always means you will also need radiation treatment. Chemotherapy may also be needed, depending on the type of cancer.

How is a lumpectomy performed?

Sometimes, when the tumor is small, the surgery is done under local anesthesia (some numbing medicine is injected into the area). If the tumor is large, you'll be put to sleep (under general anesthesia) for the surgery.

The surgeon will make an incision on the skin and remove the tumor. Depending on the size of the tumor, the breast may be deformed after surgery. This can sometimes be fixed with implants.

How long does the procedure take?

The length of time depends on the size and location of the tumor. Small tumors near the skin can be taken out in less than an hour, while large ones may take a few hours. Many patients go home the same day as the surgery if there are no major problems.

What are the risks?

The operation is considered low risk, so major problems are rare. Bleeding and infection are possible at the incision. The risk of injury to other organs is very small. The breast may be deformed after the surgery, but this might be fixed with an implant. Other risks, including death, are very rare.

Talk to your doctor if you're thinking about breast surgery. Make sure you understand all your options.

Sources:

National Cancer Institute. Breast cancer treatment. Accessed August 10, 2007.

American Cancer Society. How is breast cancer treated? Accessed August 10, 2007.

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.