A Lumpectomy is the Removal of Breast Cancer and a Portion of Normal Tissue Around the Mass

This surgery is a more conservative approach to treating breast cancer than a complete mastectomy. During a lumpectomy, less natural breast tissue is removed than with a mastectomy, leaving the patient with less pain, less disfiguration, and a faster recovery.

A woman’s physician will work with her to determine if a lumpectomy is the appropriate decision. Physicians consider many factors, including:

• Size and location of the mass
• Type and stage of the breast cancer
• Size of the breast
• Patient’s preference 

When performing the procedure, the surgeon may also remove some lymph nodes from under the arm to determine if the cancer has spread. This is called a sentinel node biopsy. If your surgeon cannot feel the lump to be removed, the radiologist will insert a guide wire into your breast prior to surgery to pinpoint the area of concern through a process called needle localization.

Generally following a lumpectomy, radiation treatment is administered to destroy any cancer cells that may not have been removed during the surgery.