Lumpectomy in Melbourne
A lumpectomy is a breast-conserving surgical procedure that removes cancerous tissue while preserving the natural appearance and structure of your breast.
At Specialist Surgical Group, our Melbourne-based surgeons specialise in advanced breast cancer treatments, providing comprehensive care for women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer who are suitable candidates for breast conservation surgery.
The procedure works by removing the tumour along with a small margin of surrounding healthy tissue, leaving the majority of your breast intact. This minimally invasive approach typically requires only a one-day stay procedure, with most patients returning to normal activities within 1-2 weeks.
We consult from our Essendon and Bundoora clinics, with procedures performed at accredited hospitals in Melbourne.
Call us today at (03) 9466 7338 to book a consultation.
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We are located in the heart of Essendon and Bundoora.
Is a lumpectomy for you?
Lumpectomy may be appropriate for you if:
- You have early-stage breast cancer (Stage I or II) with a tumour that is small relative to your breast size
- The cancer is confined to one area of your breast rather than multiple locations
- You are willing and able to complete the recommended radiation therapy following surgery
- You have not previously received radiation therapy for the affected breast
- Your mammogram and imaging studies show the tumour can be completely removed with clear margins
- You are committed to regular follow-up care and surveillance mammograms
During your initial consultation, our surgical team will assess your case, review your imaging studies, discuss your treatment goals, and determine whether a lumpectomy is the most suitable option for your specific circumstances.
Potential benefits
- Breast preservation and natural appearance. A lumpectomy allows you to keep most of your natural breast tissue, maintaining breast symmetry and preserving the nipple-areolar complex for a more natural cosmetic outcome [1].
- Equivalent survival outcomes to mastectomy. Research consistently shows no significant difference in overall survival, disease-free survival, or distant disease-free survival between lumpectomy with radiation and mastectomy for early-stage breast cancer [2].
- Shorter recovery time and is less invasive. Most patients experience minimal downtime with same-day discharge, allowing you to return to daily activities within days rather than weeks compared to more extensive procedures [3].
- Preserved breast sensation and function. By maintaining the majority of breast tissue and preserving the nipple, many women retain normal breast sensation and psychological comfort with their body image [4].
- Reduced surgical complications. The less extensive nature of the procedure typically results in fewer post-operative complications compared to mastectomy, with lower rates of infection and wound healing issues [5].
Potential risks
- Local recurrence possibility. While the risk is low, there is approximately a 14% cumulative incidence of cancer returning in the same breast over 20 years when combined with radiation therapy, requiring ongoing surveillance [2].
- Need for additional surgery. If surgical margins are found to contain cancer cells during pathology examination, you may require a second operation to remove additional tissue or consider alternative treatment options [6].
- Radiation therapy requirement. Most patients require several weeks of daily radiation treatments following surgery, which can cause fatigue, skin changes, and scheduling challenges that impact daily life [7].
- Breast appearance changes. Depending on the size and location of the removed tissue, your breast may appear slightly different in size, shape, or contour, though these changes are usually subtle [8].
Book a consultation today
(03) 9466 7338Meet our breast surgeon
Your Lumpectomy journey
Here’s what you can expect during your lumpectomy journey. These steps provide a general overview; your individual experience may vary depending on your specific circumstances.
1. Initial consultation
During your comprehensive consultation, we’ll review your imaging studies, discuss your diagnosis, and create a personalised surgical plan.
We’ll explain the procedure in detail, answer all your questions, and coordinate with our multidisciplinary team, which includes medical oncologists and radiation specialists.
2. Pre-operative preparation
On the day before or morning of surgery, you may require wire localisation if your tumour cannot be felt during examination.
This involves a radiologist placing a thin guide wire to help precisely locate the cancer during surgery, ensuring complete removal.
3. Surgery and tumour removal
Under general anaesthesia, your surgeon makes a small incision and carefully removes the tumour along with a margin of healthy tissue.
We may also perform a sentinel lymph node biopsy to check if the cancer has spread. The procedure typically takes one to two hours.
4. Pathology examination and results
All removed tissue is immediately sent to our pathology laboratory for detailed analysis and examination.
Results are typically available within several days and confirm complete tumour removal, determine the final staging, and guide any additional treatment recommendations.
5. Initial recovery and discharge
Most patients are discharged home the same day, with minimal discomfort managed by oral pain medication.
You’ll receive detailed post-operative care instructions, including wound care, activity restrictions, and signs to watch for that require immediate medical attention.
6. Follow-up care
We’ll see you within 1-2 weeks to examine your healing progress and discuss pathology results.
Our team will coordinate any additional treatments, such as radiation therapy, and establish your long-term surveillance schedule for ongoing breast health monitoring.
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(03) 9466 7338Lumpectomy FAQ
The procedure typically takes 1-2 hours, depending on the complexity of your case and whether any additional procedures, such as sentinel lymph node biopsy, are performed. Most patients spend several hours in recovery before being discharged home on the same day.
Most patients require radiation therapy following lumpectomy to reduce the risk of local recurrence, though some women over 65 with specific favourable tumour characteristics may be candidates for omitting radiation. Your oncology team will discuss this based on your individual case.
Most women notice minimal cosmetic changes, especially when oncoplastic techniques are used to reshape the breast during surgery. The extent of change depends on tumour size, location, and breast size. We’ll discuss the expected outcomes during your consultation.
Most patients return to desk work within a few days and normal activities within 1-2 weeks. Heavy lifting and strenuous exercise should be avoided for several weeks. We’ll provide specific activity guidelines based on your healing progress and the type of work you are doing.
Unlike mastectomy, lumpectomy patients typically don’t require special bras or prosthetics. A supportive, well-fitting bra is recommended during the healing process. Some women notice slight asymmetry, which can often be addressed with minor adjustments or, if desired, small cosmetic procedures.
Regular surveillance mammograms are crucial after a lumpectomy, typically every six months for the first two years, followed by annual screenings. Your first post-surgical mammogram is usually scheduled six months after completing radiation therapy to establish a new baseline.
Medical disclaimer
The information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations, and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Individual circumstances vary significantly, and nothing on this page should be used as a substitute for personalised advice from a qualified medical professional.
If you have concerns about your health, please seek medical attention promptly. To discuss your specific condition and treatment options with our team, please book a consultation by calling us at (03) 9466 7338.
References
[1] Veronesi U, Cascinelli N, Mariani L, et al. Twenty-year follow-up of a randomized study comparing breast-conserving surgery with radical mastectomy for early breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2002;347(16):1227-1232. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa020989
[2] Fisher B, Anderson S, Bryant J, et al. Twenty-year follow-up of a randomized trial comparing total mastectomy, lumpectomy, and lumpectomy plus irradiation for the treatment of invasive breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2002;347(16):1233-1241. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa022152
[3] Hughes KS, Schnaper LA, Bellon JR, et al. Lumpectomy plus tamoxifen with or without irradiation in women age 70 years or older with early breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2004;351(10):971-977. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa040587
[4] de Boniface J, Szulkin R, Johansson ALV. Medical and surgical postoperative complications after breast conservation versus mastectomy in older women with breast cancer: Swedish population-based register study of 34 139 women. Br J Surg. 2023;110(3):344-352. https://academic.oup.com/bjs/article/110/3/344/6893934
[5] de Boniface J, Szulkin R, Johansson ALV, et al. Major surgical postoperative complications and survival in breast cancer: Swedish population-based register study in 57 152 women. Br J Surg. 2022;109(10):977-984. https://academic.oup.com/bjs/article/109/10/977/6656068
[6] Rosenberger LH, Mamtani A, Fuzesi S, et al. Rates of margin positive resection with breast conservation for invasive breast cancer using the NCDB. J Surg Oncol. 2021;124(8):1266-1274. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8441089/
[7] Radiation for Breast Cancer. American Cancer Society. 2024. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/treatment/radiation-for-breast-cancer.html
[8] Gerbens LAA, van Kuijk SMJ, Ehteshami Bejnordi B, et al. The COSMAM TRIAL a prospective cohort study of quality of life and cosmetic outcome in patients undergoing breast conserving surgery. BMC Cancer. 2018;18(1):456. https://bmccancer.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12885-018-4368-8