LUMPECTOMY

This procedure removes the tumor plus a wedge of normal tissue surrounding the cancer. Occasionally the skin and the lining of the chest muscle below the tumor will need to be removed to obtain clear margins. A margin of normal tissue must be removed to insure the tumor has been completely removed. (A 5mm margin of normal tissue is optimal, but a 2mm margin can decrease the risk of local recurrence after radiation therapy.) It is followed by approximately six weeks of radiation therapy.

ADVANTAGES – If a woman is large breasted, most of the breast is preserved. There is little possibility of loss of muscle strength or arm swelling.

DISADVANTAGES – If a woman has small or medium-sized breasts, the procedure may noticeably change the breast’s shape. There is a possibility of arm swelling if an axillary lymph node dissection is performed.