LUMPECTOMY

LUMPECTOMY

The surgery of taking out cancer or other unusual tissues from your breast is called lumpectomy. Unlike mastectomy, lumpectomy only separates a portion of the chest. That’s why it was also called breast-conserving surgery.

Throughout the process of lumpectomy, a small quantity of healthy tissue around a lump also is being taken away to make sure that all the abnormal tissues and cancer are also removed.

Lumpectomy is the first therapy being picked for women who are suffering from the early stage of breast cancer.

In several cases, after identifying that there is a presence of cancer, you will undergo the process of lumpectomy, usually,  after Lumpectomy, the radiation therapy is being done so the chances of suffering again from the disease will be minimized.

 

Risks

Lumpectomy is a process of removing a portion of your breast and may cause some side effects such as the following:

  • Bleeding
  • Suffering from pain
  • Short-term enlargement
  • Changes in the form and look of the breast, especially if a considerable part has taken away.

TREATMENT

Before your lumpectomy process,  you will be meeting with your surgeon. It would be best if you start by asking whatever you want to know before the procedure. You should know the risks of undergoing this procedure.

It would help if you also told your doctor what your supplements, vitamins, or pills you take are, so your doctor will know more and can help you.

In stock, these are the suggestions in preparing for your lumpectomy:

  • Do not consume any foods or beverages eight to 12 hours before surgery.
  • Specifically, if you are going to take some general anesthesia.
  • Bring someone to accompany you.
  • Another person is needed to accompany you in going home and listening to the instructions and advice of the doctor after the surgery.
  • Stop consuming painkillers like aspirin or other blood-thinning drugs.

Your doctor may recommend and suggest you to avoid taking these drugs for a while to prevent your possible bleeding.

General anesthesia is usually a medication that makes you feel numb in the entire procedure of lumpectomy.

When surgery is already finished, you will be brought to the recovery room. Your pulse, breathing, and blood pressure will be observed.

If the surgery conducted is outpatient (which is typically lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy), you will be free if your condition is already stable.

If the surgery conducted is axillary node excision, and if you are experiencing bleeding and suffering from pain, you are required to stay in the hospital for one or two days.

It would be best if you looked forward to having:

  • A bandage in the part where the surgery took place
  • Experiencing pain in the area of your armpit
  • Some activities you are not allowed to do
  • Recommended medications for alleviating pain
  • A follow-up meeting with your doctor after a few days usually 7 to 14 days after the surgery.

The results will be out, maybe in a week or two. Your doctor will explain the results when you visit again to the hospital after the surgery. If you need more therapy, your doctor may suggest:

  • A radiation oncologist

A radiation oncologist is someone you can talk to about radiation therapies, which are usually suggested after lumpectomy.

  • A medical oncologist

A medical oncologist is someone you can talk to about other treatments that may be suitable after the surgery.

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