Breast Cancer Lumpectomy

Lumpectomy is a breast tumor removal (with "bumps") and some of the normal tissue surrounding it. Lumpektomy is a form of "breast-conserving" or "breast preservation" surgery. There are several names used for breast conservation surgery: lumpectomy, mastectomy biopsy, partial, re-excision, quadrantectomy, or wedge resection. Technically, lumpectomy is a partial mastectomy, because part of the breast tissue is lifted.

But the amount of tissue taken can vary greatly. Quadrantectomy, for example, means that about a quarter of your breasts will be deleted. Make sure you have a clear understanding of your surgeon about how many of your breasts may be lost after the surgery and the type of scar you will have.

Before surgery lumpectomy

At the hospital on the day of surgery, you will change into a hospital gown and waited in the holding area pre surgery.

If the tumor cannot be seen or felt, the surgeon will use the procedure before the operation to locate and mark the tumor using a mammogram or ultrasound.

The surgeon or nurse may request a sign on your breast that indicate where the incision will be made. This is usually done with a felt-tip marker.

You will be taken to a room where a nurse anesthesia, will include an infusion of intravenous (IV) line into the hands or arms and tape it into place. Soon after this, you will be given the drug casually through an infusion. Most people who choose to have a lumpectomy had local anesthetic to turn off sense on the area of the operation, but some have general anesthesia.

What happens during surgery lumpectomy

Lumpectomy operation itself will take approximately 15-40 minutes

Your surgeon will probably operate with a kind of electric surgical knife which uses heat to minimize bleeding (electric knife). Most surgeons use a curved incision (such as smiling or frowning) which follow the natural curve of your breasts and allow it to heal better. If breast tumors can be seen or felt, the surgeon will remove it along with the edge of the healthy tissue around it.

After lumpectomy

You may be given pain medication in recovery, and your surgeon will probably give you a prescription to take with you when you leave the hospital. You might want to get it filled on the way home or have a friend or family member to get it filled for you as soon as you are at home. You may not need medicine, but it's nice to have it on hand in case you do.

Most surgeons use stitches (sutures) that dissolve over time, so there is no longer a need to eliminate it. But sometimes, you will see the end of a stitch sticking out of the incision like a mustache. If this happens, your surgeon can easily remove it. Surgical Staples – another way to close incisions – issued during the first office visit after surgery.

Move your arm: your surgeon may indicate an exercise routine that you can do after surgery to prevent frozen shoulder and arm on the side where you have a lumpectomy. Typically, you will begin the morning after surgery. Some of the exercises should be avoided until the drains removed. Ask your surgeon any questions that you may have to ensure your exercise routine that is right for you. Your surgeon must also provide written, illustrated instructions on how to do the exercise.