Lumpectomy is one form of breast cancer treatment wherein only the tumor and a part of the breast tissue is removed, contrary to the more extensive removal of breast tissue involved in mastectomy. This procedure is considered a form of breast preservation surgery. The amount of breast tissue to be extracted can vary in different cases. If you are thinking about undergoing lumpectomy, there are more than a few things you need to consider, to ensure that you are getting the right treatment and you fully understand the risks involved.
Considerations before undergoing lumpectomy
Before undergoing lumpectomy, it is important for you to ask your doctor some pertinent questions about the procedure and needed preparation. First of all, you need to establish the expertise of your surgeon in the area of lumpectomy and other breast cancer treatment procedures. Has he or she performed lumpectomy in the past? If so, how many times? Has your physician or surgeon undergone sufficient training in the area of breast cancer diagnosis and surgical treatment?
Looking into the risks associated with lumpectomy is also extremely important. There will be changes in the appearance of your breast, and scars and skin dimpling will be visible. Nerve damage and loss of sensation on the breast is common and lymphedema may also occur, wherein the lymph node area may experience fluid buildup. By understanding the risks, you will be able to determine whether lumpectomy is the best treatment for you or not.
You will also need some recovery downtime after surgery, and you need to take this into consideration as well. This will involve staying at the hospital as well as staying at home for recovery. It is important to be more open to your doctor about your apprehensions and expectations, so you will know what to expect once you have undergone lumpectomy.
What you should expect before, during, and after surgery
Lumpectomy is primarily done in a hospital. Prior to the procedure, your surgeon will have to determine the actual location of the tumor. If the tumor is not palpable, your surgeon will need to mark out the area where the tumor is located through an ultrasound or a mammogram. Markings will also be drawn on your breast through a felt-tip marker to determine the area of incision. Finally, local anesthesia or general anesthesia will be given through intravenous infusion prior to surgery.
Normally, a lumpectomy surgery takes anywhere from 15 minutes to 40 minutes. Curved incisions are commonly performed to pattern the natural arch of your breast and allow for easier healing. After removing the tumor and draining excess fluid as necessary, your surgeon will stitch the area where the incision was made.
After the surgery, taking post-operative medication is often necessary. Dressing your wound is important, as well as caring for any surgical drain, which may be present after the surgery. It is also crucial to look out for infections, as well as possible side-effects such as fluid buildup or lymphedema.
The need for radiation
After undergoing lumpectomy, your physician may advise you to undergo radiation, which can last anywhere from 5 weeks to 7 weeks. This is done to ensure that cancer cells, which may have remained in the breast tissue after radiation, are thoroughly removed. Typically, if the patient is advised to undergo chemotherapy as well, radiation is performed after chemotherapy sessions are finished.
Lumpectomy and radiation therapy are known to increase the chances of survival for women with breast cancer tumors that are no larger than 4 centimeters. In fact, according to studies undertaken by the New England Journal of Medicine, these patients have the same survival rate 20 years later as those who have had mastectomy or complete removal of the breast.
Common lumpectomy risks
Since lumpectomy is a surgical operation, the procedure carries with it its fair share of risks. Here are some of the more common lumpectomy risks:
Infection
Like any surgical procedure, your lumpectomy incision can become infected, and bleeding can occur, as well as damage to other tissues.
General anesthesia complications
Since lumpectomy procedures involve the use of anesthesia as a relaxing medication, some patients may develop complications from the infusion of general anesthesia. These cases are rare, however.
Scars and breast skin dimpling
Lumpectomy results in visible scarring and skin dimpling. This will depend on how much tissue was removed from the breast.
Lymphedema
Lymphedema refers to fluid buildup, which can form in the area where the lymph nodes are located. Approximately two percent to ten percent of women who have had lumpectomy or axillary lymph node dissection suffer lymphedema, according to studies.
Phlebitis
Phlebitis is a condition wherein inflammation of the arm vein develops after surgery.
Skin irritations or rash
Skin reactions may also develop on the area of the surgery, such as rashes, redness, as well as tenderness.