Breast Cancer

Lumpectomy

This operation, a component of breast conservation therapy (BCT), saves as much of the breast as possible by removing only the lump plus a surrounding area of normal tissue. Lumpectomy also may be called partial mastectomy, wide local excision or segmental mastectomy.

This is a two-stage treatment. The first stage includes the surgery to remove the cancer and evaluate the axillary lymph nodes, which are located in the underarm area. The second stage involves radiation treatment. A lumpectomy without radiation is not currently recommended because the risk of local recurrence is felt to be too high. The primary advantage of lumpectomy is that the patient gets to keep the breast, and often experiences a stronger sense of wholeness and well-being.