Surgical oncology is a surgical specialty related to the cure and management of cancer.
The removal and examination of a sample of tissue.
The surgical excision of a tumor from the breast with the removal of a minimal amount of surrounding tissue.
Any of the small, bean-shaped glands located throughout the lymphatic system of the body, which contain lymphocytes, or immune system cells that can trap cancer cells or bacteria that travel through the body.
Cancerous.
Using an imaging device as a guide, a thin wire is used to mark the location of an area of tissue so it can be surgically removed.
A lumpectomy is a surgical procedure performed to remove a suspected malignant (cancerous) tumor or lump along with a small portion of the surrounding tissue from the breast. How much of the breast is removed during the procedure is dependent on the size and location of the lump. The characteristics of the specific cancer are also a factor when determining if a lumpectomy is appropriate. Women in the early stages of breast cancer are often considered good candidates for this procedure.
Prior to a lumpectomy, the physician may have performed a fine-needle biopsy of the breast. If the mass cannot be located by touch, a wire-localization procedure will be performed, which involves inserting a fine wire and utilizing ultrasound to confirm the tumor’s location.
Either local or general anesthesia may be used, depending on the extent of the surgery. The surgeon will make an incision over the targeted malignancy and remove the tumor, along with a small layer of surrounding tissue. If necessary, the physician will make a separate incision near the underarm to sample or remove axillary lymph nodes, which are tested for cancerous cells. A drainage tube may be inserted during the surgery to remove fluids, and the wound is closed with dissolving stitches.
This procedure typically takes 1 to 3 hours. You will spend a short time in recovery, and most patients are able to go home the same day. Depending on the extent of the lumpectomy, many women can usually resume normal activities within 1 to 2 days.