Summary
A lumpectomy is a procedure in which a portion of the breast is removed, including the tumor or other area of concern. Also known as a partial mastectomy, this approach preserves the remaining breast tissue. Lumpectomies vary in size, depending on the location and extent of malignant tissue in need of removal. While a lumpectomy is less invasive than a mastectomy, it may create an indentation or contour abnormality in the breast.
When a lumpectomy is used to treat breast cancer, it is part of a treatment protocol known as Breast Conservation Therapy (BCT), which includes a lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy. Radiation therapy often changes the size and shape of the breast. It typically results in a smaller, tighter, and slightly higher breast.
Breast reconstruction after lumpectomy is called oncoplastic surgery. Oncoplastic procedures address changes to breast size and shape after lumpectomy. They preserve or restore breast contour by rearranging the breast tissue preserved in the lumpectomy or mobilizing other body tissue. Small defects can be corrected with fat grafting. Larger defects may require flap reconstruction to make breasts more symmetrical. These procedures are typically performed at the time of lumpectomy but may also be performed at a later date.
Procedure Details:
- A breast surgeon locates and marks the tumor or area of malignant tissue within the breast prior to surgery.
- The patient is placed under anesthesia while a breast surgeon carefully removes the designated area along with a small amount of additional, healthy surrounding tissue, known as a margin.
- A breast surgeon may also remove lymph nodes from beneath the arm to assess the extent of any cancer that is present.
- A plastic surgeon may work with the breast surgeon to perform an oncoplastic procedure to preserve or restore breast contour.
Risks & Benefits
Lumpectomy is a less-invasive, surgical breast cancer treatment option. Every cancer is different; your medical and surgical oncologist will work with you to determine whether lumpectomy and BCT are options for you.
While survival rates among patients for whom BCT is an option are equivalent to mastectomy, preserving additional breast tissue is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer recurrence when compared to mastectomy. Contour abnormalities may also be challenging to fully address, particularly given that radiation is usually involved in this type of breast cancer treatment. In light of these drawbacks, many patients ultimately choose mastectomy over lumpectomy for the added peace of mind and reconstruction options it affords.