$Unique_ID{BRK01567}
$Pretitle{Neoplasms, Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue}
$Title{Differences Between "Lumpectomy" and Breast Removal Operations}
$Subject{breast cancer surgery}
$Volume{B-19, L-19}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Differences Between "Lumpectomy" and Breast Removal Operations


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QUESTION:  Can you discuss the differences between two types of breast
operations for cancer.  One is called a "lumpectomy" and the other removes the
whole breast.  I am anxious to know if one is better than the other and why.

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ANSWER:  The lumpectomy is a relatively new procedure performed on women with
breast cancer.  In this operation, only the tumor in the breast is removed,
rather than in the mastectomy, where the entire breast is removed.
     You might be wondering why people would give up an entire breast in the
mastectomy, rather than just having part of it removed.
     The answer is the follow-up care that's required after the lumpectomy.
The lumpectomy is most successful when used together with about six weeks
worth of radiation treatments.  The patient may have to report for therapy as
many as five times a week for the treatments.  During that time, the woman
will likely feel fatigued, and the fatigue may last for months after the last
dose is absorbed.  Lumpectomies are not advised for small breasted women.
They work very well in larger breasted women who have smaller tumor masses.
The whole lump can be removed, without causing the breast to become deformed
or distorted.  In fact, in many cases, the breast may return to almost normal
in time.
     The lumpectomy is one of the developments in breast cancer surgery that
seeks to reduce the physical disfigurement that was the result of some of the
previous surgical techniques used to remove the cancer.  Those procedures
removed, not only the breast, but all of the surrounding lymph glands as well,
in an attempt to eliminate every possible cancer cell from the body and
prevent recurrence and spread.  The additional use of radiation therapy as
well as chemotherapy, have made the less extensive operations acceptable, as
the overall results achieved reveal that these treatment are both effective
and successful.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
