What is the difference between a mastectomy and a lumpectomy?
-
American Cancer Society answered:A lumpectomy is a type of breast-conserving surgery that removes only the breast lump and some normal tissue around it. Radiation treatment is usually given after this type of surgery. If chemotherapy is also going to be used, the radiation may be put off until the chemo is finished. If there is cancer at the edge (called the margin) of the piece of tissue that was removed, the surgeon may need to go back and take out more tissue.
A mastectomy involves removing all of the breast tissue, sometimes along with other nearby tissues. A small percentage of women who get a mastectomy will also need radiation therapy afterward.
Many women with early-stage cancers can choose between lumpectomy and mastectomy. In most cases, a woman’s survival chances are about the same with either surgery.
A lumpectomy is a type of breast-conserving surgery that removes only the breast lump and some normal tissue around it. Radiation treatment is usually given after this type of surgery. If chemotherapy is also going to be used, the radiation may be... More -
Scott Weissman of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:The difference between lumpectomy (LY) and mastectomy (MY) is the amount of breast tissue removed. LY is removing just the cancer and some surrounding tissue. MY is removing the entire breast. Both are equally effective at treating breast cancer, and the only difference is that the vast majority of women who have LY will also have radiation therapy. Many women who have MY do not need radiation. Sometimes, depending on a woman's breast size, LY may not be an option because the cosmetic outcome will not be optimal. Other benefits could be psychological; some women who have breast cancer are not ready to have their entire breast removed.The difference between lumpectomy (LY) and mastectomy (MY) is the amount of breast tissue removed. LY is removing just the cancer and some surrounding tissue. MY is removing the entire breast. Both are equally effective at treating breast... More
