Lumpectomy represents the removal of the breast tumor (the "lump") among with the normal tissue that surrounds it, used as a form of "breast-conserving" or "breast preservation" surgery. It can be considered a partial mastectomy, because part of the breast tissue is removed.
Lumpectomy is also known as breast- conserving surgery, biopsy, lumpectomy, partial mastectomy, re-excision, quadrantectomy, or wedge resection.
The amount of tissue that is removed can vary, depending on the lumpectomy type. As an example, during the Quadrantectomy procedure, there will be removed a quarter of the breast.
Lumpectomy is usually followed by 5 to 7 weeks of radiation therapy, in order to remove any cancer cells that may be present in the remaining breast tissue. The association of lumpectomy with radiation therapy is commonly called breast- conserving therapy. In case of chemotherapy, radiation therapy will be applied after chemotherapy.
According to New England Journal of Medicine, the woman with small breast cancers (under 4 centimeters), that have been treated with lumpectomy plus radiation therapy have the same chances to live and have no breast disease for the next 20 years, as the women who have had mastectomies.
The recurrence remains a possibility, even if there have been made a treatment including lumpectomy plus radiation, but they can be treated with mastectomy.
Lumpectomy plus radiation can determine side effects for some women. Do not chose this solution if:
– The woman has had radiation to the same breast for an earlier breast cancer. Radiation cannot be given twice to the same area.
– The woman has extensive cancer in the breast. In this case, it will be used a mastectomy.
– The woman has a small breast and a large tumor.
– The woman has made several attempts to remove the tumor with lumpectomy, but cancer hasn’ t been completely removed.
– The patient has a connective tissue disease, such as lupus or vasculitis, being sensitive to the side effects of radiation;
– The patient will not be able to commit to the daily schedule of radiation therapy;
The lumpectomy surgery will take place in a hospital, in an operative area. The surgeon will use an anesthesia and relaxing medication. The woman won’t have to stay overnight in the hospital, excepting the ones who had lymph nodes removed.
The doctor will prescribe for a home treatment pain medication, special exercises, rest, sponge baths, a good sports or support bra.
The risks of lumpectomy include the loss of sensation in part of the breast after lumpectomy and the inequality of the breasts.