Lumpectomy & Mastectomy

In a lumpectomy, the breast tumour and a small amount of surrounding healthy tissue, called a margin, are removed. If any cancer cells, or cells that may develop into cancer, are found in the margin, you may need further surgery. This improves the chances of removing any cancerous cells that could grow again.

A mastectomy is an operation to remove the whole breast and possibly the lymph nodes in the armpit if they are also affected by the cancer. If your tumour is unusually large, or large in relation to your breast, or if the cancer is present in more than one place in your breast, your specialist may recommend a mastectomy.

Where either could be carried out – some women choose to have a mastectomy rather than a lumpectomy and radiotherapy – though both treatments are equally effective.

You may wish to discuss the possibility of having a breast reconstruction - either at the same time as your mastectomy or at a future date – with your surgeon. Alternatively, talk to a breast care nurse about the various types of breast prostheses products available.