Lumpectomy Recovery & Patient Experiences
What Is Lumpectomy?
Lumpectomy is a breast cancer surgery to remove malignant breast tissue as well as a rim of normal tissue, referred to as a surgical margin. Some opt for lumpectomy over mastectomy due to the preservation of the breast and sensation in the breast.
Lumpectomy surgery is sometimes referred to as partial mastectomy, segmental resection, or wide local excision.
How Lumpectomy Differs From Mastectomy
If an oncologist or other healthcare provider has recommended lumpectomy for you or a loved one, you may wonder about what to expect after lumpectomy surgery. Here’s what some cancer patients have to share about their personal lumpectomy experiences.
Lumpectomy Surgery & Recovery
Six months later, I did have a lumpectomy. This is when I started to get worried. Between the lumpectomy and the two weeks I had to wait to get the results, that’s when I was concerned.
It was like they had something that could really give me a definitive answer, and I had all this time prior to that to stew in it, so I was nervous waiting to hear the answer.
Natalie W. (Breast Cancer, Ductal Carcinoma In Situ [DCIS] , Stage 0, ER+, Paget’s Disease)
It was same-day surgery. It was no big deal really. The biggest thing for me was after surgery and recovery and seeing the indentation in my breast on that side because now it doesn’t look like the other one.
The recovery was very quick. We were back in surgery the next week to look at my lymph nodes and to get my port put in.
The lumpectomy was no big deal. It was a couple of stitches and that’s about it.
Shari S. (Breast Cancer, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma [IDC],Triple Positive, Stage 4)
I went in for surgery. That was the best part because I get to sleep for that. There’s not a whole lot of talk. I just went in, you lay on the table like Jesus, and then you’re out.
I didn’t stay overnight. It was a one-day surgery. Once I was fine I left and they told me that they got all the margins and there was nothing in my lymph nodes.
From there it was just rehab. I slept a lot that first day but since then it’s been more rehab in terms of arm mobility, physical therapy, that sort of deal.
Doreen D. (Breast Cancer, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Stage 2A,Triple-Positive)
I opted to do an oncoplasty. That’s where they do a lumpectomy with reconstruction at the same time. The prep was pretty easy. I had to meet with a plastic surgeon about sizing and all that.
They did a really good job with my surgery. They removed the tumor and a couple lymph nodes. The scars are close together, and I was happy with the way they did it.
Monica H. (Breast Cancer, IDC, Stage 2B, Soft Tissue Sarcoma as 2nd Cancer)
My surgery was actually pretty easy. It was just a breast conservation lumpectomy. My tumor was 4 centimeters large. They were able to get clean margins during surgery. They did a really good job.
Everything looks normal and feels normal. My recovery time was pretty quick. I do have some girlfriends who had to have double mastectomies and reconstruction done, and it just makes my surgery look like a walk in the park.
Caitlin J. (Breast Cancer, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Stage 2B, ER-Positive, PR-Positive)
It’s just a small incision on the site of the lump, so you have stitches when you wake up.
I didn’t really have to prep for it except I couldn’t eat or drink anything starting the night before, so I was starving the day of the surgery.
Surgery took two hours, and it was outpatient, so I was home that afternoon.
I don’t remember waking up and being in a lot of pain. That’s the great thing about modern medicine. I think I only came home with a prescription dose of ibuprofen or something.
Amelia L. (Breast Cancer, IDC, Stage 1, ER+, PR+, HER2-)
All Lumpectomy Patient Experiences
Christine E., Stage 3 Triple-Positive
Initial Symptom: Lump in left breast
Treatment: Chemotherapy (AC-T), lumpectomy, radiation
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Cancer Details: Only 1-4% of breast cancer cases also includes Paget’s
1st Symptoms: 2cm lump found in right breast
Treatment: Lumpectomy, double subcutaneous mastectomy, hormone therapy
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Shari S., Stage 4, Metastatic, Triple Positive
Cancer details: Triple positive = positive for HER2, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR)
1st Symptoms: Lump in breast
Treatment: Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation
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Doreen D., IDC, Stage 2A, Triple Positive
Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer. Triple positive = positive for HER2, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR)
1st Symptoms: Lump in left breast
Treatment: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (TCHP), lumpectomy, radiation
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Monica H., IDC, Stage 2B & Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma
Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer.
1st Symptoms: Tightness and lump in left breast
Treatment: Chemotherapy, radiation, surgery
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Caitlin J., IDC, Stage 2B, ER/PR+
Cancer Details: ER/PR positive = estrogen and progesterone receptor positive
1st Symptoms: Lump found on breast
Treatment: Lumpectomy, AC/T chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy (Lupron and Anastrozole)
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Amelia L., IDC, Stage 1, ER/PR+, HER2-
Cancer details: IDC is most common kind of breast cancer.
1st Symptoms: Lump found during self breast exam
Treatment: TC chemotherapy; lumpectomy, double mastectomy, reconstruction; Tamoxifen
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