Breast Cancer Surgeries Women’s Clinic Wide Local Excision (Lumpectomy) What is a wide local excision? It is a breast conserving surgery performed for early breast cancer of small size. Why do I need it? It is to remove early breast cancer while trying to leave a breast looking much the same as before surgery. How is it done? The cancerous part of the breast is removed together with a margin of normal breast tissue (1 cm).This is done under a general anesthesia. Are there any risks? In addition to the risks of anesthesia, there are small risks of bleeding, infection, breast asymmetry, scarring, or loss of sensation in the breast. Fluid may accumulate (also known as seroma) in areas where tissues have been removed.
Am I totally cured of cancer after the wide local excision? Although the wide local excision removes almost all of the cancer cells, a few cancer cells may remain in the area. Radiation therapy is required to destroy any remaining cancer cells and is a must after this type of surgery. Can I still continue to breastfeed? Yes, you can still continue to breastfeed using the unaffected breast.
Breast conserving surgery (wide local excision or lumpectomy)