Lumpectomy

A lumpectomy is a form of breast-conserving surgery in which a malignant breast tumor and portion of surrounding tissue are removed rather than the entire breast (as occurs in a mastectomy). Patients usually undergo radiation therapy after this operation so that any cancer cells that may remain can be eliminated. Sometimes, a larger tumor can be treated ahead of time with chemotherapy that reduces it enough in size to allow the patient to undergo a lumpectomy. Other factors that must be considered for a lumpectomy besides the tumor's size include the tumor’s location within the breast, whether it appears to be contained to that specific area and how quickly it may be spreading.