Breast Lumpectomy Surgery
Latest Breast-Conserving Techniques

Lumpectomy Surgery in Dubai

At Clemenceau Medical Center Hospital in Dubai, our Visiting Breast Surgery Expert from Johns Hopkins USA provides the latest in breast-conserving Lumpectomy surgical techniques.

Lumpectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of a cancerous mass consisting of abnormal tissues from a person’s breast. The surgery is a treatment option for early-stage breast cancer. A lumpectomy may occasionally also be performed to rule out a cancer diagnosis.

During the procedure, the doctor removes these tissues and a small amount of healthy tissue that surrounds the lump in the breast. By doing this, the surgeon ensures that all the cancer tissue is removed.

The procedure is also known as breast-conserving surgery or wide local excision due to the fact that only a section of the breast is removed. Terms like quadrantectomy and excisional biopsy may also be used in place of lumpectomy.

Radiation therapy is normally administered to the breast after a lumpectomy procedure to lower the risk of the cancer returning.

However, the doctor may not recommend a lumpectomy if the patient:

• Has cancer that has spread throughout the breast and overlying skin
• Has large tumors and small breasts. This may cause poor cosmetic results
• Possess a history of scleroma, which is a group of disorders that can cause the skin and other tissues to stiffen and make recovery after lumpectomy difficult
• Has a history of systemic lupus erythematosus, a long-lasting inflammatory condition that could get worse if the patient gets radiation therapy
• Has two or more cancers in the breast that can’t be removed with a single incision and could influence how the breast looks

Risks of a Lumpectomy

Just like every other surgical procedure, a lumpectomy also comes with possible complications and risks. These include:

• Temporary swelling
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Tenderness
• Hard scar tissue developing at the surgery site
• Changes to the breast form and appearance, especially if a sizable section is removed.

Pre-Op Guidelines for Lumpectomy

Prior to the procedure, the patient is given a number of guidelines to follow in order to minimize any possible risks and to allow for faster healing. These guidelines include:

• The patient should stop taking blood-thinning medication. This should be done a week before the procedure to avoid the risk of bleeding
• The patient should be accompanied by someone on the actual day of the procedure to listen to postoperative instructions and also take the patient home because it may take some time for the anesthesia’s effect to wear off
• The patient should go nil-by-mouth at least six to eight hours before surgery, especially is general anesthesia is involved

The Lumpectomy Procedure

During the procedure

A lumpectomy is performed under general anesthesia and the duration is dependent of the overall health of the patient as well as the location and size of the tumor.

The surgeon then makes an incision over the tumor, removes the tumor, and sends it to the lab for analysis. In the event that the patient is having a sentimental node biopsy or an axillary lymph node dissection, the doctor will do the same procedure on the sentimental lymph node or nodes.

After removing the tumor, the surgeon will close the incisions in a manner that preserves the appearance of the patient’s breast. He/she uses dissolvable sutures to close the incision. And to hold the incision closed as it heals, thin adhesive strips may be place on the incision.

After the procedure

Immediately after the procedure, the patient will be taken to a recovery room where blood pressure, pulse, and breathing will be monitored. The patient should expect the following after the procedure:

• One may feel some discomfort, numbness, and pinching sensation under the arms.
• Written instructions on post-surgical care, for instance, how to dress the wound, take care of the incision, and spot infection symptoms.
• Prescriptions for pain medication to alleviate any discomfort
• Activity limitations up to a certain degree
• A follow-up appointment date