Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is It?Other Surgery TechniquesContraindicationsRisksHow to PrepareWhat to ExpectRecoveryLong-Term Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is It?
Other Surgery Techniques
Contraindications
Risks
How to Prepare
What to Expect
Recovery
Long-Term Care
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in women in the United States. In 2022, 287,000 women were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer (cancer that has spread) and over 51,000 were diagnosed with noninvasive, or localized, cancer (cancer that has not spread to other areas).
The most common treatment for breast cancer is surgery. A partialmastectomy, also referred to as breast-conserving surgery, is an option for many people diagnosed with noninvasive, localized breast cancer. The primary advantage of a partial mastectomy is that the surgery allows for the majority of noncancerous breast tissue to remain after removing the cancerous cells.
This article discusses what a partial mastectomy is, how to prepare for it, its risk factors, what to expect in recovery, and more.
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Types of Breast Cancer and Treatment Responsiveness
What Is a Partial Mastectomy?
A partial mastectomy, or breast-conserving surgery, is a surgery that removes cancerous cells or tissue in the breast and leaves the remaining breast tissue behind as a way totreat or prevent breast cancer. Alternatively, asingle or double mastectomyremoves all of the tissue in one or both breasts.
A partial mastectomy is usually a scheduled surgery. Beforehand, your healthcare provider will perform various tests, like abiopsy, to confirm the breast cancer is localized and determine if a partial mastectomy is the best surgical option. This also allows time for the person undergoing surgery to be as prepared as possible for the surgery and postsurgical recovery.
Inpatient or Outpatient Surgery
You can get a partial mastectomy at a hospital or outpatient surgery center.Partial mastectomies are considered an outpatient surgical procedure, which means an overnight stay in the hospital is usually unnecessary.
Various Surgery Techniques
There are varioustypes of partial mastectomies. These include:
Partial mastectomy surgery might not be an option for all and depends on the location of the breast cancer and tumor size. Other reasons that a partial mastectomy might not be an option include:
Potential Risks
Surgery itself presents risks for infection and bleeding. Other potential risks of partial mastectomy surgery may include:
Establishing a strong relationship with your healthcare provider when considering partial mastectomy is crucial to ensuring the best outcomes for cancer removal and satisfaction with breast reconstruction.
Before a partial mastectomy, a biopsy is necessary to determine the type andstage of cancer.Other partial mastectomy surgery preparations usually include:
How to Find a Surgeon
What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
Depending on the type of partial mastectomy you’re getting, as well as the surgeon and surgery facility’s preferences and requirements, there are several things you should be aware of before heading into the day of surgery. These include:
Mastectomy: Overview
You can usually go home the same day you have partial mastectomy surgery. If the surgery is more extensive, an overnight stay in the hospital might prove necessary. Other considerations forrecoveryinclude understanding:
Even with the advances in partial mastectomy surgery, you should expect changes to the shape and feel of the breast and some scarring.Breast reconstruction surgery, which may even occur as part of partial mastectomy surgery, can help with the appearance of the breast.
Summary
The majority of breast cancer is diagnosed when it is localized, or noninvasive, and still contained within the breast. Partial mastectomies, or breast-conserving surgeries, remove cancerous cells within the breast tissue but don’t remove the entire breast. They are typically same-day surgeries with shorter recovery periods and can sometimes include breast reconstruction surgery during the mastectomy surgery.
As with all surgeries, there is potential for risks and complications, such as pain or swelling. Speak to your surgeon and healthcare provider beforehand about how to prepare, what to expect, and possible complications.
A Word From Verywell
Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis can be frightening, but there are effective treatment options. Speak to your healthcare provider about your options and ask about resources for additional support.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.Breast Cancer Facts.American College of Surgeons.Partial mastectomy.American Cancer Society.Breast conserving surgery.The American Society of Breast Surgeons.Performance and practice guidelines for breast conserving surgery/partial mastectomy.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.Breast Cancer Facts.American College of Surgeons.Partial mastectomy.American Cancer Society.Breast conserving surgery.The American Society of Breast Surgeons.Performance and practice guidelines for breast conserving surgery/partial mastectomy.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.Breast Cancer Facts.American College of Surgeons.Partial mastectomy.American Cancer Society.Breast conserving surgery.The American Society of Breast Surgeons.Performance and practice guidelines for breast conserving surgery/partial mastectomy.
National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.Breast Cancer Facts.
American College of Surgeons.Partial mastectomy.
American Cancer Society.Breast conserving surgery.
The American Society of Breast Surgeons.Performance and practice guidelines for breast conserving surgery/partial mastectomy.
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