What should you know about LCIS and mastectomy?

LCIS is a finding in the breast lobules. Classic LCIS often leads to surveillance and risk-reduction discussions, while pleomorphic or extensive disease may prompt a closer review of surgery. Mastectomy removes breast tissue, but it does not remove every cell in the body and is not a guarantee that cancer can never develop elsewhere.

The team may consider one-sided or bilateral surgery, the extent of the abnormal area, family history, inherited risk, imaging results, previous biopsies, and how you feel about repeated surveillance. A [Lumpectomy](/treatments/surgical-oncology/lumpectomy/) removes a smaller area in selected situations; it is not suitable for every LCIS pattern.

Ask for a review of the pathology and imaging before deciding. Discuss the expected change in shape and sensation, possible drains, scar care, arm movement, and the time needed to resume normal activities. If reconstruction matters to you, speak with a breast surgeon and reconstructive surgeon before the operation; [Breast Reconstruction](/treatments/surgical-oncology/breast-reconstruction/) can be immediate or delayed depending on the plan.

Review whether surveillance, another biopsy, or risk-reducing endocrine therapy is reasonable. Bring a list of medicines, allergies, previous operations, and questions about nipple-sparing or skin-sparing approaches if those are being considered.

Call the surgical team for increasing redness, warmth, swelling, wound separation, drainage, fever, worsening pain, or a drain that stops working. Seek urgent care for sudden chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, heavy bleeding, or rapidly enlarging swelling. New arm heaviness or swelling may need assessment for lymphoedema; [Lymphoedema Therapy](/treatments/survivorship-and-rehabilitation/lymphoedema-therapy/) explains one possible support pathway.

What type and extent of LCIS do I have? Why is mastectomy being considered? What are the alternatives and their follow-up needs? Would one breast or both breasts be operated on? Can reconstruction be performed at the same time? What symptoms after surgery require an urgent call?