What is a lumpectomy?

My friend has a 9mm tumor and is trying to decide between masectomy or lumpectomy

Lumpectomy is a common surgical procedure designed to remove a discrete lump, usually a tumor, benign or otherwise, from an affected man or woman's breast. As the tissue removed is generally quite limited and the procedure relatively non-invasive, compared to a mastectomy, a lumpectomy is considered a viable means of "breast conservation" or "breast preservation" surgery with all the attendant physical and emotional advantages of such an approach.

Lumpectomy means removal of the lump.

Masectomy means removal of the breast tissue

Lumpectomy removes the lump only, the masectomy removes the entire breast completely.

A lumpectomy is where the lump itself is removed, some surrounding tissue is also taken. A mastectomy would be removal of the breast and possibly lymph glands.

Masectomy is removal of the breast (whole), lumpectomy is removal of just the tumor.

Lumpectomy is removal of a lump (tumor).
Mastectomy is removal of the entire breast.

Seven years ago today I had a lumpectomy. I had my choice of a the two surgeries but I opted for the lumpectomy. But I have known people who chose the mastectomy.

My breasts were large enough that even though the lump they removed was somewhat large it didn't deform me. I no longer have evenly shaped breasts but I'm the only one that notices it.

For me the choice was easy as I did not want to go through the extra surgeries for reconstruction but it is up to her.

I wish her the best of luck and a quick recovery!

A lumpectomy is when they take out the tumor and the surrounding tissue. She should consider the size of her breast in relation with the size of her tumor. If she is big than she could just have the lumpectomy. On the other hand, if she is not that big than a lumpectomy would maybe leave not much of a breast tissue. If she chooses a mastectomy, she could get a reconstruction after wards.

ill put your worried away..