Understanding Your Surgical Options for Breast Cancer: Mastectomy vs. Lumpectomy

Your life changes the moment you receive a serious diagnosis like breast cancer, which happens to 1 out of every 8 women in the United States. As you try to absorb the news, you also have to make some life-changing decisions, like whether to undergo a mastectomy or a lumpectomy.

We understand how confusing this new world can be. Here at Sierra Pacific Surgical, our experienced and skilled team of surgeons specializes in breast surgeries, which means we’re the ones you see for either your lumpectomy or mastectomy.

While the decision between a lumpectomy and a mastectomy is one that only you can make alongside the advice of your oncologist, we wanted to present a few points from our surgical perspective.

Pros and cons of a lumpectomy

As the name implies, a lumpectomy is a procedure in which we remove the tumor(s) in your breasts and some of the surrounding tissues while creating the least disturbance possible in your overall breast. This is why a lumpectomy is also called a breast-conserving surgery, which is a big advantage of this approach.

Other advantages of a lumpectomy include a faster recovery than a mastectomy, and there's far less of a chance that you will have to undergo reconstruction surgery.

While we can preserve your breasts with a lumpectomy, you will likely have to undergo additional cancer treatments before and after the surgery, such as radiation, chemotherapy, and/or immunotherapy. 

Pros and cons of a mastectomy

Women who choose to have a mastectomy over a lumpectomy often do so to avoid undergoing uncomfortable cancer treatments afterward and for peace of mind. If you have a family history of breast cancer and you’re worried about recurrence, a mastectomy may make sense.

Recovering from a mastectomy takes longer than a lumpectomy, and you’ll need breast reconstruction surgery afterward (if you choose). Please note that federal law mandates that insurance companies cover reconstruction after this type of surgery, so at least you’re covered financially.

Preventing breast cancer in the future

There are two goals when it comes to fighting cancer of any kind — eliminate the existing cancer and prevent recurrence. Both a mastectomy and a lumpectomy certainly go a long way toward these goals unless the cancer has metastasized.

By the numbers, both a mastectomy and lumpectomy share the same survival rates, and both lower your risks of dying from breast cancer. As for recurrence, these rates are also the same — about 10% in the treated breast — for both a mastectomy and lumpectomy.

Only the most advanced techniques for your breast surgery

Whichever choice you make, we have you covered. Our team of surgeons uses the most advanced techniques available, including micro-chip localization and

intra-operative imaging for specimen confirmation, to perform your breast surgery. These techniques offer more precision and accuracy and significantly improve your recovery.

If you have more questions about your upcoming lumpectomy or mastectomy, please contact one of our four locations in the Sacramento, California, area, including Roseville, Carmichael, Folsom, and Grass Valley, to schedule a consultation.