Breast Lumpectomy Treatment

Both men and women are affected by breast cancer, which is a rare problem for them. It develops due to growth of abnormal cells in the breast. They form tumors and lead to fatigue, breast pain, swelling in lymph nodes etc. 

The best treatment of this condition is lumpectomy surgery. It removes abnormal tissues and is applicable for early-stage breast cancer in patients. Doctors recommended this breast-conserving surgery as a first treatment option. The radiation therapy and other cancer treatments are required after this procedure. 

What is Lumpectomy?

A lumpectomy is a surgical procedure which involves the removal of tumor and abnormal tissues from the breast. This therapy checks a tumor whether it is benign or malignant. Its other name is partial mastectomy or segmentectomy. 

Types of Procedures

Lumpectomy consists of four kinds. These are as follows:

• Excisional Biopsy: An entire lump needs to be removed from your breast to examine the signs of disease under a microscope. It is often suggested for skin lesions, cancerous tumors etc. 
• Quadrantectomy: It involves the removal of a quarter of breast tissue for cancer treatment. This surgical procedure is not suitable for patients with early-stage tumors. 
• Wide local excision: A tumor can be removed from your breast with a margin of healthy tissues in patients. This surgery is also applicable for skin cancer and other malignancies treatment. It is an outpatient procedure, which does not require any hospital admissions. 
• Re-excision of margins: In this procedure, the surgical site will reopen for the removal of a small amount of tissue if the signs of cancer cells are shown in your test results. It is most important for negative margins after an initial surgery.  

Who needs a lumpectomy?

This therapy is not applicable for everybody. It is recommended for those patients who have the following things:

• Breast cancer which affects only one area. 
• Tumor should be small as compared to breast size. 
• Requirement of complete radiation therapy

Individuals with scleroderma, large tumors etc., are not suggested for this treatment. They must consult with a doctor when suffering from these health issues. 

Advantages of lumpectomy

This surgery provides several benefits. These include the following:

• It maintains the appearance of your breast after cancer removal. 
• This method is less-invasive, which requires a shorter recovery time than mastectomy. 
• It is effective treatment with radiation therapy. 
• Many women feel better and confident about their body image. 
• The patients can return home on the same day since it is a one-day procedure for them. 

Risks and Complications

Lumpectomy is a safe procedure for individuals but it leads to several complications. These are as follows:

• Nerve pain
• Sensational loss
• Bleeding 
• Seroma
• Uneven breasts
• Hematoma
• Bruising or swelling in arms
• Heart attack
• Poor wound healing

How to remove Lymph Nodes in Patients?

Your surgeon removes the nodes to check the cancer beyond the breast. This involves two procedures:

• Sentinel node biopsy: This procedure involves the removal of either one or both nodes for testing cancer in patients. 

A surgeon injects a blue dye or radioactive substance in the cancer affected area. This allows the identification and removal of nodes from the patients. 

The lymph nodes are not being removed in the absence of cancer but if it is found, then a surgeon uses radiation therapy to the armpit. 

• Axillary lymph node dissection: The number of lymph nodes are being removed from the armpit. If biopsy fails to remove cancer symptoms, then this therapy is suggested for patients. 

During Procedure

A general anesthesia is being provided to patients before surgery. After that, a surgeon will remove a tumor and a surrounding tissue through a small incision and then it is sent for analysis. The same procedure will be followed for the sentinel or axillary lymph node. 

After that, a surgeon uses stitches to close your incision which will either be removed or dissolve on their own. A thin adhesive strip or glue is also attached to the cut. 

After Procedure

The patient will be taken for monitoring blood pressure, pulse and breathing in the recovery room. He or she will be released from the hospital in stable condition after an outpatient surgery or stay for one or two days when suffering with pain or bleeding. 

You may expect the following things after surgery:

• Some activity restrictions
• Pain or numbness in underarm area
• Prescriptions of pain medicines
• Bandages over a surgery site

How to Prevent Complications? 

The certain instructions which provides protection from the complications are as follows:

• Avoid taking blood-thinning medications or aspirin. The doctor suggests taking those medicines, which are pain-relieving. 
• It is important to stop drinking alcohol since it will increase the risk before and after the surgery. 
• Do not soak your incision into the bathtub and avoid applying cream, gel or lotions on it. 
• Consult with your doctor when experiencing swelling, redness from the incision site. 
• Do not lift heavy objects or avoid strenuous activities for at least one month.