Breast cancer treatment often involves surgical procedures, and understanding the terminology can be confusing. “Lumpectomy” and “partial mastectomy” are frequently encountered terms, leading to questions about their relationship. Clarifying these terms is important for individuals navigating their treatment paths. This article explains the nature of these surgeries, when they are recommended, what to expect, and how they compare to other surgical approaches.
Understanding Lumpectomy and Partial Mastectomy
Lumpectomy and partial mastectomy are terms that describe the same type of breast cancer surgery. Both procedures involve the removal of a cancerous tumor along with a surrounding margin of healthy breast tissue. The goal is to excise all cancerous cells while preserving as much of the breast as possible. The interchangeability of these terms often stems from different medical institutions or practitioners preferring one name over the other for the same surgical approach.
This surgical technique is considered a breast-conserving surgery because it aims to maintain the majority of the breast’s appearance and structure. The amount of tissue removed can vary depending on the tumor’s size and location, as well as the need for clear margins, meaning no cancer cells are found at the edges of the removed tissue. The fundamental intent of this surgery is to effectively treat localized breast cancer while minimizing the impact on breast aesthetics.
When This Surgery Is Recommended
This breast-conserving surgery is recommended for individuals with early-stage breast cancer where the tumor is relatively small. Factors influencing the recommendation include tumor size relative to overall breast size, to achieve a good cosmetic outcome. Tumor location also plays a role, as some positions make complete removal with clear margins challenging while preserving breast shape.
The type of breast cancer, such as invasive ductal carcinoma or ductal carcinoma in situ, and its stage, indicating how far the cancer has spread, are also important considerations. A lumpectomy or partial mastectomy is often part of a broader breast cancer treatment plan, frequently followed by radiation therapy to the remaining breast tissue. This combined approach, known as breast conservation therapy, aims to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence in the treated breast.
What to Expect During and After Surgery
A lumpectomy or partial mastectomy is often performed as an outpatient procedure, allowing the patient to return home the same day, or may require a short overnight hospital stay. During surgery, the surgeon removes the cancerous tissue and a small amount of surrounding healthy tissue. Sometimes, a sentinel lymph node biopsy is performed concurrently to check if cancer cells have spread to the underarm lymph nodes.
Following surgery, patients may experience pain, swelling, and bruising in the breast area, manageable with prescribed pain medication. A small surgical drain might be temporarily placed to remove excess fluid, though this is not always necessary. Recovery involves limiting strenuous activities for a few weeks to allow the incision site to heal. The breast’s appearance will change, and a scar will be present, which fades over time. After recovery, patients proceed with adjuvant therapies, such as radiation, chemotherapy, or hormonal therapy, based on their cancer type and stage.
How This Differs from Other Breast Surgeries
Lumpectomy and partial mastectomy differ from other breast cancer surgeries due to their breast-conserving nature. Unlike a total mastectomy (also known as a simple mastectomy), these procedures do not involve removing the entire breast. A total mastectomy removes all breast tissue, including the nipple and areola, and is performed for larger tumors, multicentric disease, or as a preventative measure.
Another distinct procedure is a modified radical mastectomy, which removes the entire breast along with most of the lymph nodes in the armpit. Lumpectomy and partial mastectomy excise only a portion of the breast, preserving more of the natural breast appearance. The choice between these surgical options depends on medical factors unique to each patient’s cancer diagnosis and personal preferences.