Lumpectomy vs. Mastectomy: Understanding Breast Cancer Surgery Choices

Every year, more than 300,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States, making it the second-most common cancer among women. Only skin cancers are more common.

Like other cancers, breast cancer remission and survival rates are significantly higher when the cancer is detected and treated early. For most women, treating breast cancer involves surgery, and that typically means one of two approaches: mastectomy or lumpectomy.

At Desert West Surgery, our team helps women navigate the choices and challenges following a breast cancer diagnosis, offering advanced treatment options based on the most recent and most accurate research for optimal outcomes. In this post, learn about mastectomy and lumpectomy — how they “work,” how they compare, and how to decide which option is better for you.

Understanding mastectomy

Mastectomy is a surgical procedure that removes all of the breast tissue, and sometimes additional tissue, as well. There are different types of mastectomy procedures depending on the amount of tissue that’s removed.

• Total mastectomy removes the breast tissue
• Radical mastectomy removes the breast, additional chest tissue, and lymph nodes
• Modified radical mastectomy removes the breast and lymph nodes under your arm

Mastectomy can also be nipple-sparing or skin-sparing, which means it uses techniques to preserve the nipple or to remove as little skin as possible. 

Because it removes the entire breast, mastectomy is typically a good choice for very large tumors, multiple tumors, and tumors that are aggressive or have spread to other areas. It’s also generally a good choice for women who are concerned about breast cancer recurrence and for women with genetic mutations associated with breast cancer.

Mastectomy can have a considerable emotional impact, taking a toll on a woman’s body image. Breast reconstruction following mastectomy helps rebuild and restore the breast for greater confidence after surgery.

Understanding lumpectomy

Sometimes referred to as breast-conserving surgery, lumpectomy removes the cancerous tissue (tumor) and a small amount of surrounding tissue. Lymph nodes under your arm may also be removed. 

Many women prefer the idea of a lumpectomy because it’s less disfiguring than a complete mastectomy procedure that removes all of the breast tissue. However, in most instances, lumpectomy is followed by a course of radiation therapy to ensure all the cancer is removed and to reduce the risk of recurrence. 

Lumpectomy typically is not ideal for large tumors or for cancer that has moved beyond the immediate area of the breast. It’s also typically not a good choice for women who have multiple breast tumors.

Making the choice

The choice between mastectomy and lumpectomy depends on several factors, including:

• The size and location of the tumor
• The type of cancer, the stage of cancer
• Whether lymph nodes are involved
• Your risk factors, including the risk of recurrence
• Your overall health
• Your personal preferences 

In general, larger or more aggressive cancers require a mastectomy, while a localized, smaller tumor may be a candidate for lumpectomy.

Research shows both mastectomy and lumpectomy with radiation therapy offer similar survival rates. Mastectomy is associated with slightly lower cosmetic satisfaction. Still, it’s important to note that radiation therapy can have its side effects, including thickening of the breast tissue, which can cause cosmetic effects, as well.

Know your options

Navigating breast cancer treatment is a nerve-racking experience, but our team can help you find the peace of mind that comes from understanding all your options. To learn more about breast cancer surgery and other treatment options, call Desert West Surgery and schedule a visit at the Las Vegas location nearest you.