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What is a lumpectomy?

A lumpectomy is surgery to remove cancer or other abnormal tissue from your breast. Also called breast-conserving surgery or partial mastectomy, a lumpectomy allows your surgeon to remove only the tumor and a small portion of normal tissue around the tumor (margin) while preserving most of your healthy breast tissue.

The amount of breast tissue your surgeon removes depends on several factors, including the location and size of the tumor and the size of your breast. Most women have radiation therapy after a lumpectomy. Other treatments might also be necessary, such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy. Unlike a mastectomy, a lumpectomy allows you to keep most of your breast.

You may be given the option of both, but if you do choose to have your entire breast removed, you are less likely to need radiation treatment. It’s also important to note that choosing lumpectomy instead of mastectomy does not affect long-term breast cancer survival rates.

doctor reviewing a lumpectomy biopsy on a monitor

Who needs a lumpectomy?

If you have been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, your doctor might recommend a lumpectomy as the first step in your breast cancer treatment. A lumpectomy can also help in diagnosis, as your care team can remove a lump for biopsy (known as an excisional biopsy) to determine whether it is cancerous.

Your doctor might also recommend a lumpectomy to remove noncancerous abnormalities, such as benign tumors called fibroadenomas.

In general, a lumpectomy might be a good option for you if:

  • Cancer is confined to one area of your breast
  • The tumor is small relative to your breast size
  • There is enough tissue left to reshape your breast after tumor removal
  • Your health and schedule allow for completing radiation therapy afterward

Who shouldn’t have a lumpectomy?

Your provider may recommend against a lumpectomy if you have:

  • Multiple tumors in one breast
  • A large tumor relative to your breast size
  • Cancer that has spread to the skin or chest wall
  • Fast-growing breast cancer (e.g., inflammatory breast cancer)
  • A family history of breast cancer or high-risk genetic factors (like BRCA mutations)
  • Breast cancer recurrence after a prior lumpectomy with radiation

Radiation therapy risks may also rule out a lumpectomy if:

  • You’ve had previous radiation to the same breast
  • You have a skin condition that complicates radiation (e.g., scleroderma or Sjögren’s syndrome)
  • You’re pregnant, unless the surgery can be done in the third trimester and radiation delayed until after delivery
doctor discussing lumpectomy with a patient

How to prepare for lumpectomy surgery

At least a week before the procedure, you will have an exam and routine tests. Be sure to tell your doctor what prescription or nonprescription medications or supplements you are taking, as well as any allergies you have, whether you could be pregnant and if you have had reactions to anesthesia in the past.

Your doctor may ask you to stop taking certain medications in the days before the procedure. Follow your doctor’s instructions on what to take the day of the procedure. If you smoke, avoid smoking for at least two weeks prior.

The lumpectomy procedure

​​​​​​​​​​​​​Lumpectomy surgery is usually an outpatient procedure, which allows you to go home the same day. Little preparation is required, and lumpectomy recovery is relatively quick. You will receive anesthesia, so arrange to have someone drive you home afterward.

Before the procedure

On the day of the procedure:

  • Follow your doctor’s instructions on what medications to take
  • Stop eating and drinking at the time specified by your doctor (usually eight to 12 hours prior to surgery)
  • Bring a soft button-down shirt to wear home

You might need a wire localization procedure just before surgery if your doctor cannot easily feel the lump. If this is the case, a radiologist will use imaging, such as a mammogram or ultrasound, to guide a thin wire through a hollow needle into the breast to mark the spot of the tumor.

During the procedure

You will be given either general anesthesia, in which you are completely asleep, or light sedation with local anesthesia, which numbs the area. A lumpectomy usually takes about an hour.

During the procedure, your surgeon makes a small incision in your breast near the tumor. Then, they remove the tumor, along with the surrounding margin of healthy tissue. A pathologist will later examine the removed tissue to ensure all cancer has been taken out.

The surgeon might also make another incision under your arm to remove some nearby lymph nodes, which will be checked to determine if the cancer has spread. This procedure is called a sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Your doctor may also mark the area where tissue was removed with small metal clips. This makes the area easier to spot on future mammograms and can also help guide the location of radiation therapy.

At the end of the lumpectomy surgery, the surgeon will close the incisions with stitches and place gauze dressing over them.

After the procedure

Right after the procedure, you will wake up in the recovery room, where you may have an intravenous (IV) line for fluids or pain medication. A nurse will check your blood pressure, pulse and temperature. You will most likely go home the same day. Your doctor will give you instructions on how to care for the incisions and what kinds of pain medication you can take, if necessary.

After a lumpectomy, a pathologist will test the tumor and lymph node cells for cancer. Ideally, no cancer will be found in the lymph nodes, and the tumor will have a “negative margin,” meaning no cancer cells in the surrounding tissue.

If cancer is found in the lymph nodes or the tumor has a “positive margin,” additional surgery or treatments may be required. If cancer cells show specific traits, like hormone receptors, targeted treatments such as hormone therapy may be recommended. Your healthcare provider will guide you based on the results.

What are the risks of a lumpectomy?

Bleeding and infection can occur at the site of the procedure. Other side effects and risks of a lumpectomy include:

  • Change in breast shape
  • Nerve pain in the chest wall, armpit or arm that doesn’t disappear over time
  • Pain, tenderness or a “tugging” feeling in your breast
  • Scar tissue or a dimple forming at the surgical site
  • Temporary breast swelling, which sometimes needs to be drained

Lumpectomy recovery

A lumpectomy is usually an outpatient surgery, and an overnight stay in the hospital is not needed. Most women are able to return to their normal activities in about a week. However, you may need to avoid heavy lifting and any activities that cause pain for up to two weeks.

It can take about a month for your skin to heal in the area of the procedure. Follow your doctor’s instructions on how to care for this area, and watch for any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling or drainage. These instructions may also include:

  • Bathing and showering tips
  • When to contact your doctor
  • Arm exercises to prevent stiffness
  • When to start wearing a bra
  • Medication guidelines, including pain relief and antibiotics
  • Activity restrictions
  • What to expect in terms of sensations or numbness
  • Follow-up appointment details

Treatment after lumpectomy surgery

Most people require radiation therapy for three to six weeks after a lumpectomy, though the exact schedule depends on your diagnosis. In some cases, radiation may not be necessary. For instance, if you have a low-risk type of breast cancer, like ductal carcinoma in situ, your provider may not recommend radiation based on your diagnosis.

Many women will have hormone therapy after surgery to help lower the risk of cancer returning. Some may also need chemotherapy, in which case radiation and hormone therapy are typically delayed until chemotherapy is finished. Ask your provider about your specific treatment plan.

Reconstructive surgery after a lumpectomy

Your care team may involve a reconstructive surgeon who can reshape and repair your breast right after your lumpectomy. Some people choose to wait for the breast tissue to heal and settle before undergoing reconstructive surgery.

Discuss your options with your healthcare provider. If the lump is small, reconstruction may not be necessary. If surgery is needed, understanding how it could affect your care and recovery time is important.

Frequently asked questions

  • Does breast tissue grow back after lumpectomy?

    Yes, breast tissue fills in after a lumpectomy. Fibrous tissue helps maintain the breast's shape, while surrounding tissue can be moved to fill the cavity, which may cause lumpiness near the scar that softens over time.

  • What stage of cancer is a lumpectomy?

    A lumpectomy is usually a treatment for early-stage breast cancer, like stage 1 or 2, or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

  • How long is lumpectomy surgery?

    A simple lumpectomy generally takes one to two hours with or without a sentinel node biopsy. It may take longer if you’re having reconstructive surgery alongside a lumpectomy.

  • How long is recovery after lumpectomy?

    Recovery time depends on the procedure, tumor size and location, and surgery extent. Most women heal quickly and can resume normal activities with minimal pain within four to six weeks.

  • Is a lumpectomy major surgery?

    No, a lumpectomy is not considered a major surgery. It’s usually an outpatient, breast-conserving procedure that removes a breast lump and a small amount of surrounding tissue, allowing women to go home often the same day.

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