Breast cancer

Lumpectomy

Lumpectomy is a component of breast conservation therapy. It saves as much of the breast as possible by removing only the tumor plus a margin of surrounding normal tissue. Lumpectomy also may be called partial mastectomy, wide local excision or segmental mastectomy.

Lumpectomy is an option for most women with breast cancer. It may not be an option if:

• The tumor is too large and does not shrink with preoperative chemotherapy
• The patient has received breast radiation previously
• The patient has certain connective tissue disorders

What to expect

In lumpectomy, surgeons remove the cancer and evaluate the axillary lymph nodes located in the armpit area. Lumpectomy is usually followed by breast radiation to decrease the risk of local recurrence. Some patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (a very early stage of breast cancer) or patients older than 70 who have small tumors that have estrogen receptors may not require radiation treatment.