Intermediate
Technical
IVT
lumpectomy
Surgical procedure to remove a breast tumor while preserving most of the breast tissue.
Full Definition
A lumpectomy is a breast-conserving surgical procedure that removes the cancerous tumor along with a small margin of surrounding healthy tissue, while leaving most of the breast intact. Also known as partial mastectomy or wide local excision, this procedure is typically followed by radiation therapy. Lumpectomy is considered the standard treatment for early-stage breast cancer when the tumor size relative to breast size allows for adequate cosmetic results and clear surgical margins.
In Context
- "The surgeon recommended a lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy." — Surgical consultation note
- "Lumpectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed under general anesthesia." — Operative report
Also known as
partial mastectomy
wide local excision
breast-conserving surgery
Contrasted with
mastectomy
total mastectomy
Don't confuse with
mastectomy
lymphectomy