What does lumpectomy treat?

A lumpectomy, also called breast-conserving surgery, removes the known tumour plus a rim of nearby tissue. It may treat invasive breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ, or selected Paget disease of the breast. The operation does not remove the whole breast.

A core needle biopsy usually establishes the diagnosis before surgery. Imaging and pathology help the team judge tumour size, position, margins, lymph nodes, and whether breast-conserving surgery is suitable. Radiotherapy is often discussed after lumpectomy, although the complete plan depends on the diagnosis and other findings.

Ask how much tissue may be removed, whether a lymph-node procedure is needed, and how the surgeon will mark the area. Tell the team about medicines that affect bleeding, allergies, and previous breast operations.

After the operation, follow instructions about dressings, bathing, pain relief, arm movement, and activity. The pathology report checks the margins and tumour features. If cancer remains at the edge or the findings differ from the biopsy, further treatment may be discussed, including another operation or mastectomy.

Contact the surgical team for increasing redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, wound separation, fever, uncontrolled pain, or sudden arm swelling. Seek urgent help for severe breathlessness, chest pain, or heavy bleeding.

Is lumpectomy suitable for the location and extent of my condition? Will lymph nodes be assessed? Will I need radiotherapy or other treatment afterward? What would the pathology margin result mean for my next step?