The goal of breast cancer surgery is to remove the entire tumor from the breast. Some of the lymph nodes from the armpit (axillary nodes) may also be removed and checked to see if they contain cancer.
Lumpectomy and mastectomy
There are two basic types of surgery to remove breast cancer: lumpectomy (also called breast conserving surgery or wide excision) and mastectomy. Figure 5.1 shows each type of surgery.
With lumpectomy, the tumor and some normal surrounding tissue are removed, but the rest of the breast remains intact. With mastectomy, the entire breast is removed. Almost all women who have lumpectomy have radiation therapy to the breast after surgery. Some women who have mastectomy may also have radiation treatment.
It is a myth that exposing breast cancer to air during surgery causes it to spread. Surgery is designed to remove all of the cancer (or as much of the cancer as possible) from the breast.
Lumpectomy (also called breast conserving surgery or wide excision). With lumpectomy, the surgeon removes the breast tumor and some normal tissue surrounding it. Some lymph nodes from the armpit (axillary nodes) may also be removed and checked to see if they contain cancer.
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Mastectomy. In a mastectomy, the surgeon removes the entire breast. Some lymph nodes from the armpit (axillary nodes) may also be removed and checked to see if they contain cancer.
Breast reconstruction can be done at the same time as the mastectomy or later. And, some women choose not to have reconstruction.
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Drawings adapted from What You Need to Know About Breast Cancer. National Cancer Institute, 1999.
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Treatment guidelines
Although the exact treatment for breast cancer varies from person to person, some organizations have treatment guidelines to help ensure quality care. These guidelines are based on the latest research and the consensus of experts. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and National Comprehensive Care Network (NCCN) are two respected organizations that regularly update and post their guidelines online. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) also has overviews of treatment options.
Deciding between lumpectomy and mastectomy
If you are facing breast cancer surgery, you may have a choice between a lumpectomy plus radiation therapy or a mastectomy. The next sections describe each type of surgery and offer information that can help you choose which surgery is right for you.
Updated 05/21/11
