Lumpectomy or Partial Mastectomy

Overview

Lumpectomy is a type of surgery that removes a lump and leaves as much normal breast tissue as possible. During the surgery, the breast cancer and some normal tissue around it is removed. This treatment is also known as a segmental or partial mastectomy.

This surgery is possible only if the lump is detected at an early stage when the cancer is relatively small. Often, some of the lymph nodes are also removed during surgery.

Treatment will depend on the size and spread of the tumor. Most women receive radiation therapy after surgery. This will help kill any cancer cells remaining in the area. This will also lower the chance that the cancer may come back.