It’s sometimes referred to as breast conservation surgery or a partial mastectomy.
Lumpectomy vs. Excisional Biopsy
While these procedures may seem similar, they have different aims.
An excisional biopsy is a diagnostic procedure, not a surgical treatment.
Verywell / JR Bee
Risks and Contraindications
All surgery carries a certain amount of risks.
Some side effects, such as firmness and swelling, may linger for a few months.
Risks associated with any surgery include:
Certain people should not have a lumpectomy.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Before the Procedure
Your surgeon may want to check yourlymph nodesduring the lumpectomy.
The facility where you’re having a lumpectomy may offer you a pre-operative appointment.
Be sure to read consent forms before you sign them so you don’t run into surprises later.
You should feel free to call ahead with questions you want answers to before your surgery.
Timing
The surgery itself should last somewhere between one and two hours.
Location
Lumpectomies can be performed on an inpatient oroutpatientbasis.
They are generally performed in hospitals or surgery centers and are not done in healthcare provider’s offices.
An underwire may not feel good.
You’ll need to avoid food and drink for eight to 12 hours before surgery.
If you’ll owe a co-pay, expect to pay it before surgery unless you’re told otherwise.
Also, bring a list of your current medications and your medical history.
Let your healthcare provider know about any relevant allergies (medications, latex, adhesive, etc.)
that you may have.
If you’re staying overnight, be sure they know about any food allergies as well.
You may want to bring a book or electronic rig to occupy your time before the surgery.
When you arrive for surgery, you will check-in and begin preparations.
venture to be early enough to take care of paperwork and co-pays before the scheduled time for your procedure.
The facility will usually tell you how early they’d like you to be there.
A nurse will take your vital signs and ask some questions.
Which one you have depends on the extent of the surgery and, to some extent, personal preference.
The incision typically follows the natural contour of your breast, which allows it to heal properly.
In some cases, the mass may actually be a cyst, which is a small fluid-filled sac.
If so, the fluid will be drained and saved for later analysis.
This is done for safety, in case cancer cells have moved into that area.
All of the tissue is saved for analysis later by a pathologist.
The surgeon will then inspect the remaining breast tissue for any signs of cancer.
This requires a separate incision under the arm.
A drain will be put in to remove excess fluids and will then be removed after surgery.
If you’re staying overnight, you’ll then be moved to your hospital room.
If the procedure requires the removal of more tissue, the recovery can take as long as six weeks.
Dissolvable sutures may be slowly absorbed into the body over time, rather than removed.
Be certain that youtake care of your incisionas directed.
Don’t resume exercise until you’re given the go-ahead.
Take pain medication as directed.
Keep bandages dry and follow instructions regarding asurgical drain, if you have one.
Once tests on your tumor are completed, you’ll receive thepathology report.
This contains critical information for determining your future treatments.
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2015;2(3):157-185. doi:10.3390/medicines2030157
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