

#BREAST ECTOMY WITH SENTINEL NODE BIOPSY PLUS#
Total mastectomy versus lumpectomy plus radiation therapy If you can’t get to a radiation treatment center, or if you can’t have radiation therapy, a mastectomy is usually a better option than a lumpectomy. Radiation therapy has some side effects and most often requires daily trips to a treatment center for 1-6 weeks. Ask your health care team if you are likely to avoid radiation therapy if you have a mastectomy. Although some women will need radiation therapy after a mastectomy, many will not. The main benefit of a lumpectomy plus radiation therapy is the breast is preserved as much as possible.Ī potential benefit of a mastectomy is radiation therapy may be avoided. The figure below outlines some things to consider when choosing between a mastectomy and a lumpectomy plus radiation therapy. Risks and benefits of mastectomy and lumpectomy plus radiation therapy Learn more about treatment for local breast cancer recurrence and treatment for metastasis.įor a summary of research studies on a mastectomy versus a lumpectomy plus radiation therapy and overall survival, visit the Breast Cancer Research Studies section. The risk of breast cancer spreading to other parts of the body (called metastasis or distant recurrence) is the same for both procedures. A local recurrence is treated with some combination of surgery (with or without radiation therapy), chemotherapy, hormone therapy, HER2-targeted therapy and/or other drug therapies. However, everyone who has had breast cancer is at risk of the cancer returning.Ĭompared to a mastectomy, there’s a slightly higher risk of local breast cancer recurrence (the cancer returning within the breast) with a lumpectomy and radiation therapy. Most people diagnosed with breast cancer will never have a recurrence. For example, the risk of recurrence varies by the stage of the breast cancer at diagnosis and the biology of the tumor. The risk of breast cancer recurrence (return of breast cancer) varies greatly from person to person. They both lower the risk of dying from breast cancer (as well as dying from any cause) by the same amount. Survival with a lumpectomy plus radiation therapy is the same as with a mastectomy. Survival and breast cancer recurrence Survival In some cases, fewer lymph nodes will be removed. This makes it easier to surgically remove these lymph nodes.

Neoadjuvant therapy can shrink the tumors in the lymph nodes. Sometimes, the lymph nodes in the underarm area are enlarged due to the spread of breast cancer to these lymph nodes.

Neoadjuvant therapy may shrink a tumor enough so a lumpectomy becomes an option to a mastectomy.

In some cases, neoadjuvant therapy (chemotherapy, hormone therapy, HER2-targeted therapy and/or immunotherapy given before surgery) can change a person’s surgical options. Discuss your reconstruction options with your plastic surgeon before your breast surgery. This may be important when making a decision about surgery. If you want reconstruction, find out if there’s a plastic surgeon available who specializes in breast reconstruction. Weigh the risks and benefits of each surgery and choose the one that’s right for you. If you have a choice, study your options. It may be hard to decide whether to have a mastectomy or a lumpectomy (also called breast-conserving surgery).įirst, talk with your surgeon to see if you have a choice between a mastectomy or a lumpectomy.
