Breast Lump Treatment

Breast lump surgery, also known as a lumpectomy or excisional biopsy, is a procedure to remove a lump or abnormal tissue from the breast. This surgery can be done to diagnose a lump, determine if it is cancerous or benign (non-cancerous), and, if necessary, treat or prevent the spread of breast cancer.

Types of Breast Lump Surgery

1. Lumpectomy (Breast-Conserving Surgery): In a lumpectomy, the surgeon removes the lump along with a small margin of surrounding tissue. This method is often used when the lump is relatively small, and the goal is to preserve as much of the breast as possible. It may be followed by radiation therapy to reduce the risk of recurrence if the lump is cancerous.

2. Mastectomy: In cases where multiple or larger lumps are present, or if there’s a high risk of recurrence, a mastectomy (partial or full removal of breast tissue) might be recommended.

Why It’s Done

Breast lump surgery is typically performed to:

• Diagnose the Nature of a Lump: A biopsy of the removed tissue can reveal whether a lump is benign or malignant (cancerous).
• Remove a Cancerous Lump: If cancer is confirmed, removing the lump can prevent it from spreading to other areas.
• Prevent Potential Cancer Spread: In some cases, a pre-cancerous lump or high-risk tissue is removed as a preventive measure.

Recovery and Life After Surgery

• Recovery Time: Recovery from a lumpectomy is usually quick, often within a week or two. Mastectomy recovery is longer and depends on the extent of tissue removed.
• Post-Surgery Treatment: If cancerous tissue was found, additional treatments like radiation, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy may be recommended.
• Impact on Breast Appearance: Lumpectomies often cause only minor changes to the breast shape, but mastectomies can have a more noticeable impact, which may lead to reconstructive surgery if desired.

Breast lump surgery is generally safe, but like all surgeries, it carries some risks, including infection, bleeding, or changes in breast shape or sensation.