What to expect from lumpectomy for breast cancer

The surgeon removes the lump with a margin of nearby tissue. A small marker may be placed to help identify the treated area on future imaging. Depending on your plan, nearby lymph nodes may also be checked. The specimen goes to pathology, and the report helps decide whether further surgery, radiotherapy or medicines are recommended.

The operation is often completed as day surgery, but this depends on your health and the procedure. Expect soreness, bruising, swelling, numbness or a change in breast shape near the scar. These effects can evolve as the tissue heals. A supportive bra and prescribed pain relief may help.

Ask which medicines to pause, when to stop eating or drinking, and whether you need a responsible adult to take you home. Wear loose clothing and arrange help for the first day. Keep the dressing and incision as instructed, use pain relief according to the plan, and do gentle shoulder movement if advised. Avoid swimming, heavy lifting and strenuous exercise until cleared.

Contact your breast team for increasing redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, wound separation, fever, worsening pain or bleeding that does not settle with pressure. Sudden breathlessness, chest pain or severe allergic symptoms need emergency care. A firm area or fluid collection near the operation site can occur, but report a new or rapidly changing finding so it can be assessed.

Ask whether lymph nodes will be sampled, when pathology results will be ready, and how the result may affect radiotherapy or medicines. Confirm bra and wound care, shoulder exercises, activity limits, scar expectations and the number to call about swelling or bleeding.