Partial Mastectomy

Thanks to early detection through screening mammography and self-exam, many women diagnosed with breast cancer have early-stage or small tumors. In these cases, breast conservation surgery, or lumpectomy, is definitely an option. The goal with a lumpectomy is to remove the tumor and a rim of normal tissue (the "margin") while preserving the cosmetic appearance of the breast as much as possible. Lumpectomy does need to be followed by a course of radiation therapy. It is important to note that there is no difference in long-term survival if a woman undergoes a lumpectomy versus mastectomy - lumpectomy with radiation therapy is a perfectly appropriate cancer treatment. Certain situations call for mastectomy for example very large cancers, or more than one cancer in the breast, but in many cases, breast conserving surgery is possible and is very appropriate. Thanks to early detection through screening mammography and self-exam, many women diagnosed with breast cancer have early-stage or small tumors. In these cases, breast conservation surgery, or lumpectomy, is definitely an option. The goal with a lumpectomy is to remove the tumor and a rim of normal tissue (the "margin") while preserving the cosmetic appearance of the breast as much as possible. Lumpectomy does need to be followed by a course of radiation therapy. It is important to note that there is no difference in long-term survival if a woman undergoes a lumpectomy versus mastectomy - lumpectomy with radiation therapy is a perfectly appropriate cancer treatment. Certain situations call for mastectomy for example very large cancers, or more than one cancer in the breast, but in many cases, breast conserving surgery is possible and is very appropriate.