Deciding Between Mastectomy or Lumpectomy

It may be hard to decide whether to have a mastectomy or a lumpectomy (also called breast-conserving surgery).

First, talk with your surgeon to see if you have a choice between a mastectomy or a lumpectomy.

If you have a choice, study your options. Weigh the risks and benefits of each surgery and choose the one that’s right for you. Survival with a lumpectomy plus radiation therapy is the same as with a mastectomy [2-3].

If you want reconstruction, find out if there’s a plastic surgeon available who specializes in breast reconstruction. This may be important when making a decision about surgery. Discuss your reconstruction options with your plastic surgeon before your breast surgery.

Neoadjuvant (preoperative) therapy

In some cases, neoadjuvant therapy (chemotherapy, hormone therapy, HER2-targeted therapy and/or immunotherapy given before surgery) can change a person’s surgical options.

Neoadjuvant therapy may shrink a tumor enough so a lumpectomy becomes an option to a mastectomy.

Sometimes, the lymph nodes in the underarm area are enlarged due to the spread of breast cancer to these lymph nodes. Neoadjuvant therapy can shrink the tumors in the lymph nodes. This makes it easier to surgically remove these lymph nodes. In some cases, fewer lymph nodes will be removed.

Survival and breast cancer recurrence

Survival

Survival with a lumpectomy plus radiation therapy is the same as with a mastectomy [2-3]. They both lower the risk of dying from breast cancer (as well as dying from any cause) by the same amount [2-3].

Breast cancer recurrence

The risk of breast cancer recurrence (return of breast cancer) varies greatly from person to person. For example, the risk of recurrence varies by the stage of the breast cancer at diagnosis and the biology of the tumor.

Most people diagnosed with breast cancer will never have a recurrence. However, everyone who has had breast cancer is at risk of the cancer returning.

Compared to a mastectomy, there’s a slightly higher risk of local breast cancer recurrence (the cancer returning within the breast) with a lumpectomy and radiation therapy [2]. A local recurrence is treated with some combination of surgery (with or without radiation therapy), chemotherapy, hormone therapy, HER2-targeted therapy and/or other drug therapies.

The risk of breast cancer spreading to other parts of the body (called metastasis or distant recurrence) is the same for both procedures [2].

Learn more about treatment for local breast cancer recurrence and treatment for metastasis.

For a summary of research studies on a mastectomy versus a lumpectomy plus radiation therapy and overall survival, visit the Breast Cancer Research Studies section.

Risks and benefits of mastectomy and lumpectomy plus radiation therapy

The figure below outlines some things to consider when choosing between a mastectomy and a lumpectomy plus radiation therapy.

The main benefit of a lumpectomy plus radiation therapy is the breast is preserved as much as possible.

A potential benefit of a mastectomy is radiation therapy may be avoided. Although some women will need radiation therapy after a mastectomy, many will not. Ask your health care team if you are likely to avoid radiation therapy if you have a mastectomy.

Radiation therapy has some side effects and most often requires daily trips to a treatment center for 1-6 weeks. If you can’t get to a radiation treatment center, or if you can’t have radiation therapy, a mastectomy is usually a better option than a lumpectomy.

Total mastectomy versus lumpectomy plus radiation therapy
	Total mastectomy	Lumpectomy plus radiation therapy
Treatment for early breast cancer	Very effective	Very effective
Amount of tissue removed	Entire breast	Part of the breast (tries to keep the original look of the breast)
Extent of surgery	Major surgery with general anesthesia	Less extensive surgery with general or regional anesthesia, or local anesthesia with sedation
Hospital stay	At least one overnight hospital stay is needed	Most people go home the same day as surgery
Radiation therapy	Sometimes done	Almost always done
Temporary soreness of chest, underarm and shoulder	Yes	Yes
Chance of recurrence in the breast (local recurrence)	Very low for early-stage breast cancer	Low for early-stage breast cancer (but slightly higher than with a mastectomy)
Chance of recurrence beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes (metastasis, distant recurrence)	Same as with a lumpectomy plus radiation therapy	Same as with a mastectomy
Chance of lymphedema if you have a sentinel node biopsy or an axillary dissection	Yes	Yes

What to expect after surgery

Pain and numbness

With both a mastectomy and a lumpectomy, you will have some soreness in your chest, underarm and shoulder. If you have breast reconstruction at the same time as a mastectomy, there can be more discomfort. Pain related to surgery may be treated with mild pain relievers or if the pain is more severe, prescription medication.

If lymph nodes in the underarm area (axillary lymph nodes) are removed during surgery, you may also have some numbness and a burning feeling under and behind your arm.

After a mastectomy, you’ll be numb across your chest (from your collarbone to the top of your rib cage). Unfortunately, this numbness usually doesn’t go away. You may get some feeling back over time, but it will never be the same as before surgery.

After a lumpectomy, you’re likely to have numbness along the surgical scar.

Learn more about the management of surgery-related pain.

Lymphedema

If axillary lymph nodes are removed during surgery, there’s a risk of lymphedema.

Lymphedema is a condition where fluid collects in the arm and/or hand, causing it to swell. Today, lymphedema isn’t common. If it does occur, it usually develops within 3 years of having axillary lymph nodes removed [6].

Learn more about lymphedema.

Emotional health

After either surgery, you may feel a buildup of emotions. You may have been anxious leading up to surgery. And, after surgery, you may feel a sense of relief or feel worried about what happens next. This is normal.

Make sure you take time to recover both emotionally and physically. You may want to have family and friends available for support.

Chemotherapy, hormone therapy, HER2-targeted therapy or other drug therapy

The type of surgery you have does not affect whether you will have chemotherapy, hormone therapy, HER2-targeted therapy or other drug therapy.

Drug therapies are given based on the characteristics of the tumor, not the type of surgery you have. For example, whether or not you will need hormone therapy and/or HER2-targeted therapy depend on the biomarkers, hormone receptor status and HER2 status.

Learn about other factors that affect these treatment options. 

Differences in lumpectomy rates

Personal preference matters a lot when deciding between a lumpectomy and a mastectomy. For example, some people very much wish to keep their breasts, while for others, a mastectomy offers peace of mind.

Where you live may affect your surgery choice. Compared to women who live in urban areas, those who live in rural areas are more likely to have a mastectomy [9]. Women who live far from a center that offers radiation therapy (needed for a lumpectomy) may prefer to have a mastectomy.

Talk with your health care provider about your surgery options

Not everyone can have a lumpectomy plus radiation therapy. Talk with your health care provider about whether a lumpectomy is an option for you.

Learn about the risks and benefits of each surgery option. Talk with your health care provider about which treatments are best for you. This can help you feel you’re getting the best care possible.

You may want to have a family member or friend with you at your appointments with your surgeon to help you take notes and ask questions. They may also be able to help you think through information after your appointments.

Second opinions

It’s always OK to get a second opinion from a medical oncologist and/or breast surgeon at a different hospital or practice. Getting a second opinion can:

• Instill confidence in the first health care provider by confirming a treatment plan
• Give a different insight into your treatment
• Increase your options for care
• Give you a chance to meet with another health care provider who may be better suited to treat your cancer

Learn more about getting high-quality care.