When weighing surgery options for breast cancer treatment, you may consider a lumpectomy, also known as a partial mastectomy. This breast-conserving procedure removes only the breast cancer and a small amount of healthy tissue surrounding it. Lumpectomy is most commonly done in cases of early-stage breast cancer.

One benefit of lumpectomy compared to mastectomy is a shorter recovery. A full recovery from lumpectomy takes roughly two weeks. Comparatively, stiffness, soreness, and tenderness can last for months after mastectomy.

According to the National Cancer Institute, one study of 560 women — most of whom had early-stage breast cancer — found that 72 percent chose a mastectomy (removal of the entire breast) and 28 percent opted for lumpectomy. On MyBCTeam, more than 10,000 members reported having a lumpectomy.

Researchers have found that choosing one or the other type of breast cancer surgery doesn’t affect overall long-term breast cancer survival. The choice of a lumpectomy or mastectomy for treatment is up to you and your oncologist (cancer doctor).

Why Lumpectomy?

A lumpectomy is a breast-conserving procedure, which means that most of the breast tissue will be left after surgery. Some people prefer this to having their entire breast removed. After this kind of surgery, your oncologist or surgeon will send you to receive radiation therapy to treat the remaining breast tissue and help prevent cancer from returning.

Not everyone is a candidate for this surgery. A lumpectomy followed by radiation may be the right treatment choice for those who:

• Want to keep as much breast tissue as they can
• Have one small tumor revealed by breast imaging (such as a mammogram or breast sonogram)
• Don’t want to undergo extensive surgeries for a mastectomy and breast reconstruction
• Are eligible to receive radiation treatment

You might not be an ideal candidate for a lumpectomy if you previously had radiation therapy on the same breast, if you’ve previously had radiation therapy on the breast or chest for another diagnosis, or if you’re pregnant. In addition, lumpectomy might not be an option for those who have:

• Inflammatory breast cancer, which requires a mastectomy
• A large tumor in a small breast
• Cancer that has spread throughout the breast
• A connective tissue disease like lupus or scleroderma

Lumpectomies are typically recommended for people with early-stage cancer that hasn’t spread throughout the breast. Some people who qualify for lumpectomy opt for a mastectomy instead for more peace of mind. However, according to Breastcancer.org, some studies show that lumpectomies improve quality of life and sexual well-being for young women compared with mastectomies.

Timing of Lumpectomy

Treatments vary depending on the stage of breast cancer you have. Surgery is recommended as the main treatment for stage 1 breast cancer. Lumpectomies are often performed along with a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) to check if the cancer has spread. People who get a lumpectomy when they are 65 years or older may have the option of skipping radiation therapy if:

• The tumor is no more than 3 centimeters long (just over an inch) and is completely removed.
• The cancer is positive for estrogen receptor or progesterone receptor, so hormone therapy can be given.
• The lymph nodes are free of cancer.

Stage 2 breast cancer is also treated with surgery. Sometimes, people with this stage of cancer are first given systemic (whole-body) treatments such as hormone therapy or chemotherapy. These treatments, called neoadjuvant therapies, help shrink tumors before surgery for a better chance of success. After a lumpectomy, you will likely have radiation therapy. If you need more chemotherapy, radiation will be done after treatment is complete.

If you have stage 3 breast cancer, your oncologist will likely recommend neoadjuvant therapy first with chemotherapy to shrink the tumor. If the tumor gets small enough, a lumpectomy can be performed. If not, a mastectomy is preferred, and you will receive radiation therapy in both the chest wall and the armpit.

For some individuals, surgery may be a first-line treatment option. A lumpectomy may be performed if you have fairly large breasts and the tumor has not spread into the nearby lymph nodes. After surgery, you will likely have another treatment such as hormone therapy or chemotherapy to reduce the chances of the cancer returning.

Lumpectomy Procedure

Depending on your specific case of breast cancer, a lumpectomy may be either an outpatient or inpatient procedure. Outpatient procedures allow you to leave the hospital that same day, while inpatient procedures require a few days in the hospital. Most lumpectomies are outpatient and take roughly 60 to 90 minutes to complete. If you get lymph node removal with your lumpectomy, expect the surgery to take longer.

Before Surgery

Before surgery, a radiologist will use an ultrasound or a mammogram to locate the tumor if it cannot be easily felt during a physical exam. The tumor area is then numbed with a local anesthetic.

Next, the radiologist inserts a wire into the area to show the surgeon where the tumor is. If you are also having an SLNB, blue dye will be injected under the skin near the tumor to mark the lymph nodes. This helps the surgeon determine which lymph nodes to remove.

During Surgery

Once you’re ready for surgery, the surgeon makes an incision along the curve of the breast, along the areola, or under the fold of the breast to help hide a scar. Your surgeon removes the tumor along with some healthy surrounding tissue, known as margins. This helps the surgeon get rid of as many cancer cells as possible.

During the procedure, the surgeon will also place clips where the tumor was located. The clips act as a target for radiation therapy later on. If you’re having an SLNB, the surgeon will also remove one to five lymph nodes from under your armpit. If necessary, a drain — a plastic tube connected to a suction bulb — will be used to help remove the extra fluid that collects where the tumor was. Once everything is complete, the surgeon will sew the incisions closed.

How Painful Is a Lumpectomy?

Lumpectomy surgery itself isn’t painful because of the local or general anesthesia you receive beforehand. Most people receive general anesthesia, which puts you to sleep so you don’t remember the surgery. Local anesthesia numbs only the tumor site and tissue around it. If you get local anesthesia, you’ll also get moderate sedation.

You might experience some pain or discomfort during lumpectomy recovery, such as a shooting pain in your arm or chest. For most people, this goes away within a few weeks of surgery. One MyBCTeam member shared, “After my lumpectomy, I’d get short sharp pains in my breast. My doctor said it could be scar tissue along with nerves trying to reconnect.”

What Is the Average Recovery Time for a Lumpectomy?

After a lumpectomy, it may take a few days for you to feel better. Most people are back to their normal activities within a few weeks. To make recovery easier, follow all your care team’s instructions about taking your medications, not consuming alcohol, and not smoking before your surgery. Your doctor may also tell you to wear a supportive sports bra or breast binder after lumpectomy surgery.

One MyBCTeam member shared, “Three days after lumpectomy surgery, I finally slept last night, so I’m feeling a little better today.” Another shared their experience with recovery, saying, “I’ve had three lumpectomies, and it wasn’t too bad. Recovery was like a day or so. I was able to do everything I normally do after three days.”

Pain and Swelling Management

The main goals of lumpectomy recovery are to keep your pain levels under control and to care for your drain if you had one placed. You can manage pain with medications you get from the hospital or with over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Ice packs can also help keep pain and swelling down.

One MyBCTeam member said, “Ice packs will help. I keep the reusable ones in the freezer. It’s a flat gel pack. I also bought a heart pillow. … You put your arm through it, your surgery side. It will help.”

You will likely experience swelling around the surgical site, which may make wearing a bra difficult. Members have found various ways to make themselves comfortable while healing.

One member shared, “I was told to wear a sports bra. You may have to get a bigger size because of swelling. I bought a Jockey ladies’ sports bra.”

Drain Care

Drain care is also important for healing. If you go home with a drain still in, the fluid should be drained two or three times a day. You should measure how much fluid comes out every time you empty the drain. A drain is typically removed at the first follow-up appointment (after eight to 12 days) but it depends on how much liquid is draining. Typically, your surgeon will wait until the fluid is less than 25 milliliters per day.

Any stitches, whether they will dissolve or need to be removed, should be monitored to make sure they are healing properly. Call your doctor if you notice signs of infection after lumpectomy, like discoloration, swelling, or oozing.

Risks of Lumpectomy

As with any surgery, a lumpectomy comes with some risks. These include:

• Dimpling, scars, and other changes in the breast skin and tissue
• Cellulitis (skin infection)
• Seroma (buildup of fluid in the breast) where the tumor was removed
• Lymphedema (buildup of lymph fluid) if lymph nodes were removed
• Nerve pain for a few weeks or months after surgery
• Numbness or loss of sensation where the tumor was removed
• Bleeding at the surgical site

Talk to your surgeon if you’re concerned about lumpectomy complications and risks. They will go over the risks of your exact procedure with you.

What’s Next After Lumpectomy?

Depending on the status of your cancer and your preferences, you might need further treatment after lumpectomy surgery.

Additional Cancer Treatments After Lumpectomy

You will likely get radiation after lumpectomy to destroy any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of the cancer coming back. The decision to have radiation and the type used will be made by you and your radiation oncologist.

Chemotherapy might also be recommended after lumpectomy to kill any remaining cancer cells that were left behind (even if they cannot be seen with imaging tests). Depending on any genetic mutations found in your tumor, you may also start targeted therapy or hormone therapy to reduce the chances of the cancer returning.

Reconstruction: What Will the Breast Look Like After Lumpectomy?

Some people also consider breast reconstruction surgery after their lumpectomy. This surgery is done to improve the overall look of the breast and offer more shape and support. You might notice changes in appearance, such as a dent in the breast after lumpectomy or breast dimpling, which reconstruction can fix.

The decision to have reconstruction surgery is completely up to you. If you are interested, talk to a plastic surgeon about this procedure.

Find Your Team

On MyBCTeam, the social network for people with breast cancer and their loved ones, more than 74,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with breast cancer.

Have you had a lumpectomy? What was your experience, and what advice would you give to others who need the same procedure? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.