Radical lumpectomy: what to know

The surgeon removes the tumour and a rim of nearby healthy-looking tissue for laboratory examination. The operation may also include sampling or removal of lymph nodes, depending on the tumour and treatment plan. The breast remains, but its shape, firmness or nipple position can change, especially when a larger area is removed. A scar may sit on the breast or near the armpit.

The laboratory report checks the tissue margins and tumour features. Further surgery may be discussed if the margin needs attention. Breast-conserving surgery is often followed by [Radiotherapy](/treatments/radiation-oncology/radiotherapy/), although the complete plan depends on the diagnosis. [Breast Cancer](/conditions/breast-cancer/) is a condition for which this approach may be considered.

Ask how the tumour will be located, whether a node procedure is planned, what support garment is suitable and how the breast may look afterward. At home, follow dressing instructions, take prescribed pain relief, use the arm gently and avoid strenuous lifting until cleared. Keep follow-up visits so the pathology result and next treatment steps can be explained.

A surgeon may discuss [Mastectomy](/treatments/surgical-oncology/mastectomy/) if breast-conserving surgery cannot remove the cancer safely with an acceptable margin, or if another approach better fits your circumstances.

Contact the team for increasing redness, warmth, swelling, wound drainage, fever, worsening pain or a rapidly enlarging collection near the operation site. Seek urgent help for severe breathlessness, sudden chest pain, fainting or sudden arm swelling with pain.

Ask how much tissue may be removed, where the scar will be, whether lymph nodes will be assessed, what margin results mean, whether radiotherapy is expected, how sensation may change, and when normal arm activity can resume.