Breast cancer can affect both women and men. One approach of breast cancer treatment is surgical procedure to remove the cancerous tissues. There are two surgical procedures commonly used to treat breast cancer: mastectomy and lumpectomy. What sets them apart? Explore the explanation below.

What Distinguishes a Mastectomy from a Lumpectomy?

In breast cancer treatments, surgical procedures to remove cancerous tissues are among the most frequent treatments to be chosen, often followed by radiation therapy or chemotherapy. The surgical procedure choice depends on how far the cancer has progressed. Two options are mastectomy and lumpectomy.

Mastectomy

A mastectomy involves removing part or all of the breast tissue. For many patients, doctors recommend this procedure to remove localized cancer cells in the breast.

Besides treating existing breast cancer, a mastectomy can be performed as a preventive step for people with a very high risk of breast cancer.

There are six types of mastectomy:

• Total or simple mastectomy: Removal of all cancerous breast tissues, including the nipple and areola, while leaving the underarm lymph nodes in place.

   

• Modified radical mastectomy: Removal of the full breast and some lymph nodes, with the chest muscles preserved.

   

• Nipple-sparing mastectomy: Removal of breast tissues while keeping the nipple and areola.

   

• Skin-sparing mastectomy: Removal of breast tissues, including the nipple and areola, while preserving most of the overlying skin.

   

• Double mastectomy: Removal of both breasts during the same operation.

Doctors often suggest mastectomy for patients with the following cancers:

• Infiltrating ductal carcinoma
• Infiltrating lobular carcinoma
• Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)
• Inflammatory breast cancer
• Paget’s disease of the breast
• Documented high-risk breast cancer

Lumpectomy

Unlike a mastectomy, a lumpectomy removes only the cancerous tissues and a margin of nearby tissues. This procedure is also called a partial mastectomy. Many choose it because it preserves more breast tissue and can maintain a natural breast shape.

A lumpectomy is generally considered when:

• Cancer involves a single area of the breast
• The tumor is small in regards to overall breast size
• Enough breast tissues still remain to reshape the breast after removal
• You are able to receive radiation therapy to control the disease

Most patients undergo radiation therapy after a lumpectomy to lower the chance of the cancer returning.

Which Surgical Option Is Preferable, Mastectomy or Lumpectomy?

The decision to choose each one depends on multiple factors, such as tumor size, location, and your overall health. A lumpectomy is a less invasive procedure rather than a mastectomy. Even so, if cancer returns, another breast surgical procedure may be required.

A mastectomy is considered to be a more extensive procedure than a lumpectomy and usually involves a longer hospital stay. Recovery takes more time and may bring several side effects, including:

• Pain

• Swelling

• Numbness of the chest or arm

• Restricted movement near the surgical site

• Nerve pain

• Accumulation of blood at the surgical site

Mastectomy can also affect emotional wellbeing. Many women choose breast reconstruction afterward, which adds cost and recovery time.

Your doctor will tailor the surgical plan to your needs and clinical situation. Make sure you discuss the procedure, possible risks and benefits, and aftercare before moving forward with breast surgery.

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