Lumpectomy Vs. Mastectomy

When proposed with the idea of surgery, there are quite a few options, which are lumpectomy, mastectomy, and removal of both breasts. A lumpectomy is a breast conserving surgery that removes only the tumor and a margin of tissue surrounding the tumor. However, a mastectomy is the removal of an entire breast. The removal of both breasts is exactly that, both of the breasts are entirely removed.

As a lumpectomy is a less invasive surgery, this option has a much shorter recovery time. Additionally, post lumpectomy you will have radiation 5-7 weeks to ensure that all the cancer cells are out of your system. Although this is the simpler surgery, there is a higher chance of the cancer recurring. Furthermore, it may also require additional surgeries if cancerous cells are found in the margins after the initial surgery when the tumor was removed.

Although a mastectomy is longer and more extensive, the removal of an entire breast sometimes bring women peace of mind to reduce the chances of the cancer recurring. As this option is more extensive it has a longer recovery time and post-surgery side effects. Although a mastectomy does not require additional surgeries to remove any remaining cancerous cells, many times women undergo an additional surgery. This additional surgery is a reconstructive surgery that many go through as they a mastectomy is the removal of an entire breast.

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Information and image obtained from the following website(s):

https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/mast_vs_lump

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/300967187577115357/