Lumpectomy

A lumpectomy is the most common type of surgical treatment for breast cancer. In many cases, the surgery is followed by four to six weeks of radiation therapy to target any remaining cancerous cells and help prevent a recurrence.

Tampa General Hospital’s Cancer Institute is home to one of the highest-volume breast cancer programs in the state of Florida. The multidisciplinary team in our Breast Cancer Center includes board-certified surgeons who perform a variety of high-tech, minimally invasive procedures to eliminate all traces of breast cancer while preserving as much breast tissue as possible.

For 2022-23, TGH has earned the “High Performing in Cancer” designation from U.S. News & World Report, which ranks us among the top 10% of hospitals in the nation.

What Conditions Can Be Treated With a Lumpectomy?

A lumpectomy is the treatment of choice for many patients who have early-stage breast cancer and would like to maintain the natural look and feel of their breast. In general, a lumpectomy may be a good option if:

  • A single tumor is confined to one area of a breast.
  • The tumor is small in relation to the size of the breast.
  • After the tumor is removed, there will be enough tissue left for the surgeon to reshape the breast.
  • The patient is a candidate for follow-up radiation therapy (some factors that can rule out radiation therapy include a current pregnancy, lupus and previous radiation therapy delivered to the same breast).

Because inflammatory breast cancer tends to affect a significant amount of breast tissue and skin, a breast-conserving procedure such as a lumpectomy is generally not an option.

What Does a Lumpectomy Involve?

A lumpectomy is a short, outpatient surgery that may be performed under general anesthesia or with local anesthesia and moderate sedation. The procedure involves removing a breast tumor along with a slim margin of surrounding healthy tissue. The goal is to eliminate the cancer while preserving most of the breast. After removing the tumor, the breast surgeon places small markers at the lumpectomy site, which will help the radiation oncologist precisely target the delivery of follow-up radiation therapy.

The tissue removed during a lumpectomy is microscopically examined by a pathologist. If the pathologist does not find any cancerous cells, they will designate the margin as negative (clear) to indicate that all the cancer has likely been removed and no further surgery is needed. On the other hand, if the pathologist finds cancerous cells, they will designate the margin as positive to indicate that more surgery may be needed to remove the cancer and achieve a negative margin.

What Is the Hidden Scar Technique?

When performing a lumpectomy, the surgeon may utilize the Hidden Scar approach to improve the cosmetic outcome in some cases if the patient so elects. This advanced surgical technique involves making a single incision in an inconspicuous area so the scar will be difficult to see after the incision heals. It can also help preserve the natural shape of the breast.

Based on the size and location of the tumor and the size and shape of the breast, the surgeon may make the incision in the:

  • Natural crease underneath the breast (inframammary fold)
  • Border of the areola
  • Natural fold of the armpit (axilla)

Patients who undergo a lumpectomy with the Hidden Scar technique are at no higher risk of breast cancer recurrence than those who undergo a lumpectomy with any other surgical technique.

What to Expect With a Lumpectomy

Immediately after a lumpectomy, the patient is monitored in a recovery room until they are cleared to go home, usually on the same day. The patient’s care team will provide detailed instructions on:

  • How to manage any post-operative pain and swelling
  • How to change the dressings and care for the incision site
  • How to recognize signs of infection and when to call the surgeon
  • When to begin targeted exercises to prevent shoulder stiffness
  • When it is safe to wear a bra, shower and resume daily activities

Like any breast cancer surgery, a lumpectomy involves some risks, such as infection. However, this commonly performed procedure is proven to be highly safe and effective. While everyone heals at their own pace, most patients fully recover from a lumpectomy within two weeks.

Lumpectomy vs. Mastectomy

After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, many patients are understandably concerned about cancer recurrence and want to do everything possible to minimize their risk. This may prompt some patients with early-stage breast cancer to choose a mastectomy—a surgical procedure that involves removing the entire affected breast—over a less invasive lumpectomy.

However, studies of the effectiveness of lumpectomy vs. mastectomy offer invaluable scientific reassurance to patients who elect the more conservative approach to breast cancer treatment. Among patients with early-stage breast cancer, research indicates that survival rates after a lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy are on par with—or slightly better than—survival rates after a mastectomy with or without radiation therapy.

Benefit From World-Class Care at TGH

At TGH, your breast cancer journey will be guided by dedicated Care Navigators who will ensure that you are fully supported and informed throughout your breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. If would like to talk with an expert on our team, contact us at (800) 844-4554 to request an appointment. We believe those who are fighting cancer deserve every advantage.