Lumpectomy

Consultations offered at our two convenient locations in Houston and The Woodlands, TX

Lumpectomy, Houston, TX, Greater Houston Breast Care

A lumpectomy is a procedure that can address breast cancer by removing the entirety of a tumor from the breast, as well as the margin of surrounding skin. This procedure can address early-stage breast cancer, as well as diagnose a suspicious lump when other testing methods do not provide enough information.

Greater Houston Breast Surgeons is one of Texas’s leading breast care practices. Our team of several accomplished surgeons performs a full spectrum of specialized procedures that can each help you restore the health, appearance, and overall well-being of your breasts.

If you are ready to meet with our team and start discussing your lumpectomy, please schedule a consultation online. If you would prefer calling over the phone, you may reach both our Houston and The Woodlands offices by calling (713) 701-7165.

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About Lumpectomies

A lumpectomy is a surgical method for treating early-stage breast cancer and diagnosing suspicious lumps in the breasts. This procedure involves removing the entire growth and a small margin of surrounding tissue while preserving as much of your natural breast tissue, structure, and shape as possible. Lumpectomies often pair with radiation therapy to ensure that no cancer cells remain in the area.

About Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that causes the cells in the breasts to mutate and grow uncontrollably. It is the most common cancer doctors diagnose in women, and it accounts for more than 1 in 10 new cancer diagnoses annually. This disease can develop as a result of several risk factors, including age, gender, personal history, family history, certain reproductive milestones, the use of therapeutic hormones, obesity, environmental exposure, and more. (1)

Benefits

There are several benefits you may experience when undergoing a lumpectomy, including:

  • Effective Results: Lumpectomies can effectively address any malignant tumors in the breasts, especially when radiation therapy follows.
  • Treatment and Diagnosis: Your surgeon can perform a lumpectomy to both diagnose and treat your breast cancer.
  • Tailored Treatment Plans: Our surgical team tailors each procedure around our patients’ anatomy and needs.
  • Preserved Breast Appearance: Lumpectomies aim to maintain your natural breast tissues, breast shape, and nipples.

Candidates

You may be a suitable candidate for a lumpectomy if you received a recent diagnosis of early-stage breast cancer and are interested in addressing it, or if you have noticed one or more suspicious growths developing around your breasts and wish to determine their malignancy.

You should possess good general health and hold realistic expectations regarding your results. You should also be a non-smoker or willing to quit using nicotine entirely. Your surgeon will finalize your eligibility for a lumpectomy during your consultation.

We do not recommend lumpectomies for pregnant women, those with tumors in more than one area of the breast, or those who have undergone prior radiation therapy. (2) If any of these apply to you, our team will help you find a suitable alternative.

Personal Consultation

Breast care is highly personal, which is why we ask that each patient attend a personal consultation before scheduling their lumpectomy. During your consultation, your surgeon will meet with you to discuss each aspect of your treatment. They will converse with you openly about what a lumpectomy entails, ask you questions about your medical history, and discuss your diagnosis and personal concerns with you. They will also perform several lab tests, imaging tests, and physical examinations to assess your breast anatomy and tumor.

Your surgeon will use each shared detail to help you create a truly unique treatment plan. They will decide upon the best surgical approach for your case and take the time to provide you with a thorough explanation. They will also answer any questions you may have.

If you are ready to schedule this consultation, please submit our online consultation form. You may also reach our Houston and The Woodlands offices by calling (713) 701-7165.

Preparation

Once you have scheduled your procedure, you will need to make a few important preparations. Your surgeon will provide a set of detailed instructions to help you. These may instruct you to:

  • Discontinue Certain Medications: Avoid taking any blood-thinning medications or supplements.
  • Prepare a Ride: Have a trusted friend or relative transport you home after your procedure.
  • Arrange Time to Rest: Prepare to take a step back from your professional and personal responsibilities to focus on your recovery.
  • Fill Your Prescriptions: Pick up any medications you will need as you heal ahead of time.
  • Cease Any Substance Use: Cease any nicotine or alcohol consumption several weeks before your scheduled procedure.

Procedure

Our surgical team performs each lumpectomy as an outpatient procedure in our surgical center. When you arrive, your surgeon will meet with you to reconfirm each detail of your treatment plan before they cleanse your skin. You will then receive general anesthesia to keep you comfortably asleep throughout treatment.

Your surgeon will carefully place an incision near or on the tumor to easily access it. Through this incision, they will carefully remove the entirety of the tumor alongside a small margin of tissue surrounding it. This ensures that they remove any potentially cancerous cells that have started spreading beyond the tumor. They will then carefully reshape the remaining breast tissue to maintain its rounded shape before suturing each incision shut. Finally, you will rest under the care of our team until you are ready to return home.

If you are undergoing a lumpectomy to diagnose a growth in your breasts, our surgeons will send the tissue to a pathology lab for examination. The returning results will provide the answers you need and give you better insight into your personal health.

Recovery

After your lumpectomy, you will need to take some time to allow yourself to heal. During your initial recovery phase, you may experience some temporary recovery effects on and around your breasts. These typically include swelling, bruising, or soreness, which you may manage with prescription medications, cold compresses, and plenty of rest.

You may return to most of your daily activities after approximately one to two weeks. However, you will not be able to engage in any physically demanding or strenuous tasks for another several weeks, or until your surgeon clears you to return.

You will receive a full set of recovery instructions to help you care for yourself after your lumpectomy. By following each direction, you can ensure a safe and comfortable return to your routine.

Results

The full results of your lumpectomy will vary depending on your specific circumstances, such as the stage or grade of your cancer. Our surgical team focuses on eliminating as much of the cancer as possible while retaining the natural structures and shape of your breasts. While you may notice a slight decrease in the treated breast’s size or minor contour differences, our surgical team will preserve its overall appearance.

Cost of Lumpectomies in Houston, TX

The cost of your lumpectomy will vary depending on your specific treatment plan. Once your surgeon has met with you, they will provide you with a comprehensive cost estimate. Most lumpectomies qualify for insurance coverage, and our team can help you navigate these options and compile all the documentation you may need.

To learn more about the pricing of your lumpectomy, please schedule a consultation online or call (713) 701-7165.

FAQ

What is the difference between a partial mastectomy and a lumpectomy?

A lumpectomy and a partial mastectomy are both names for the same procedure. They consist of removing the entirety of a cancerous tumor or growth, as well as a thin margin of skin surrounding it.

How long will it take for my surgeon to perform my lumpectomy?

The duration of your procedure will vary depending on the size of your growth, its location, and the number of growths your surgeon is removing. During your consultation, your surgeon will explain each step of your treatment plan so you have a full understanding of your procedure.

Will a lumpectomy leave scarring?

Because this procedure is surgical in nature, there will be some degree of scarring. However, your surgeon will place each incision in barely perceptible areas to minimize their visibility. Any scarring will also fade significantly throughout your recovery.

If I am receiving a lumpectomy for diagnosis, how long will it take for me to get my results?

If you are undergoing a lumpectomy to diagnose a tumor, it can take several days for our pathology team to provide you with your results. We want to ensure that any information we send to you, especially testing results, is fully accurate and correct.

How long will it take for me to recover from my lumpectomy?

You may return to most of your daily activities after resting for one to two weeks, but you will need to wait to return to more active activities until your surgeon has approved you to.

What happens if I receive a breast cancer diagnosis?

If your surgeon performs a lumpectomy and our pathology team determines your growth is cancerous, they will ask you to return to the office to discuss your treatment options. No matter what your diagnosis is, our team will support you in your journey to improving your breast health.

References

  1. Menon G, Alkabban FM, Ferguson T. Breast Cancer. Nih.gov. Published February 25, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482286/#article-18564.s4
  2. Czajka ML, Pfeifer C. Breast Cancer Surgery. PubMed. Published February 8, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553076/