Lumpectomy vs. Mastectomy: Understanding Your Breast Cancer Surgery Options

A breast cancer diagnosis brings a lot of decisions at once. One of the first is which type of surgery is right for you. For many people with early-stage breast cancer, lumpectomy and mastectomy offer similar long-term survival. The best choice depends on your cancer, your body and your priorities, and you deserve time to understand both.

What is a lumpectomy?

A lumpectomy, also called breast-conserving surgery or partial mastectomy, removes the tumor along with a small rim of healthy tissue around it (called the margin). The rest of the breast stays in place. Most patients who have a lumpectomy for invasive cancer also receive radiation therapy afterward to lower the chance of the cancer returning.

What is a mastectomy?

A mastectomy removes all of the breast tissue. There are several types, and some can preserve the skin or nipple for reconstruction. Some patients choose to have reconstruction at the same time as the mastectomy or later; others choose to stay flat. Radiation may or may not be needed after mastectomy.

What affects the decision?

• The size and location of the tumor compared with the size of the breast
• Whether there is cancer in more than one area of the breast
• Genetic factors such as a BRCA mutation
• Whether you can receive radiation
• Your personal feelings about keeping your breast, recovery time and follow-up imaging

What about the lymph nodes?

During either surgery, your surgeon may check nearby lymph nodes under the arm. A sentinel lymph node biopsy removes just the first few nodes the cancer would most likely reach. This helps guide further treatment with less risk of arm swelling (lymphedema) than removing many nodes.

Recovery at a glance

Lumpectomy is often an outpatient procedure, and many people return to normal activity within one to two weeks. Mastectomy recovery usually takes longer, especially with reconstruction, and may involve temporary drains. Your care team will guide you through every step.

You don't have to decide alone

Breast cancer care is a team effort involving your surgeon, oncologists, radiologists and support services. At California Surgical Specialists, our surgeons take time to explain your options and answer every question, so you can make a choice you feel good about.

This article is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have symptoms, please see your healthcare provider.