Lumpectomy

A lumpectomy is generally recommended in the following cases:

• Cancer affects only one area of the breast
• The breast tumor is relatively small compared to the breast size
• If you will still have sufficient remaining breast tissue to reshape the breast after tumor removal
• If you are medically fit for surgery and can later undergo radiation therapy (use of high-powered energy beams to kill cancer cells)

Contra-indications:

A lumpectomy is not recommended in the following cases:

• Presence of multiple tumors in one breast
• Large tumor size
• If you cannot or do not wish to undergo radiation therapy after lumpectomy
• Pregnancy
• Presence of genetic mutation that increases the risk of developing breast cancer again
• Inflammatory breast cancer
• Lupus (an auto-immune inflammatory condition that usually affects the joints, kidneys, skin, brain, heart, lungs, and blood cells)

Before a Lumpectomy, it is essential to carry out the following methods of diagnosis:

• Mammography
• Physical Examination/ Physical examination: The doctor will examine the breast of the patient and check the breast lump. The doctor will inquire about the symptoms that the patient has been having recently and what kind of changes are being noticed recently regarding the size, shape, or texture of each breast.
• Mammogram: An image of the breast is obtained in this test to observe the changes in the breast tissues.
• Ultrasound test: This test is performed to obtain an image of the surface of the breasts using high-frequency sound waves.
• MRI scan: This test helps in obtaining clear images of the soft tissues in the breast region and identifying the lump in the breasts.
• Biopsy: The procedure involves removing a sample of the breast tissue from the breast lump to check it in the laboratory. This can be done using any one of the following methods:
• Fine-needle aspiration: A needle is used to obtain a fluid sample from the breast lump.
• Core needle biopsy: Some fluid from the breast lump or a sample of the tissue growth is obtained using a bigger needle with the help of an ultrasound.
• Stereotactic biopsy: The tissue sample is obtained using a needle and a mammogram is taken at the same time to obtain images of the breast lump from different angles.
  

• The procedure is usually done under general anesthesia, that is, the patient is put to sleep before the procedure. Sometimes, the procedure may be performed under local anesthesia (the treatment area is numbed).
• The doctor usually inserts a small chip or wire into the breast lump just before the surgery to confirm the precise location of the breast lump.
• The surgeon makes an incision around the nipples or breast crease to access the internal structures. 
• The breast lump is then excised using a scalpel. A small part of the surrounding healthy tissue is also removed ensuring that the breast lump has been removed entirely. The natural breast is preserved as much as possible.
• The excised portion is sent to the laboratory to check if the margins are clear of cancer cells. The results of the same are obtained within seven to ten days.
• Sometimes, the lymph nodes from nearby regions are also excised and sent to the laboratory to check for the spread of the cancer cells.
• A medication is then injected into the surgical area to decrease the pain that you are most likely to experience after surgery.
• Small marking clips are then placed into the lumpectomy site to aid the radiation oncologist to focus the radiation during the subsequent radiation therapy session.
• The breast tissue is then stitched back together using dissolvable, internal sutures.
• The procedure takes approximately one hour to complete.

A lumpectomy procedure may be associated with the following complications:

• Bleeding

• Allergic reaction to the anesthesia used

• Infection

• Blood clot formation

• Delayed wound healing

• Scarring

• Tingling sensation or numbness around the surgical site

• Pain

• Swelling

• Change in appearance and shape of the breast

• You will be moved to a recovery room after the procedure, where your vital signs will be monitored.
• You may be discharged from the hospital on the same day of the procedure. If the procedure also involves the removal of some lymph nodes, you may need to stay in the hospital for one or two days before being discharged.
• It is normal to feel fatigued for a few days after the surgery.
• You may have some pain and swelling at the surgical site after the procedure. The doctor may recommend pain-relieving medications to relieve your discomfort.
• You can wear a bra that offers support to the breast and minimizes any breast movement that may lead to pain.
• The patient may choose to undergo breast reconstruction surgery after the procedure to improve the appearance of the breast.
• Following a lumpectomy procedure, you may need to undergo radiation therapy to kill cancer cells. This procedure helps in killing any cancer cells that may be remaining in the breast following a lumpectomy.
• Regular follow-up appointments are recommended with the doctor to evaluate the success of treatment and any possibility of cancer recurrence. 

Home remedies:

The following home care tips help in quicker recovery after a lumpectomy procedure:

• Take your prescribed medications regularly.
• The bandages and dressings are usually removed one to two weeks after surgery.
• The drains may be removed before you leave the hospital or one to two weeks after surgery.
• The fluid from the drain needs to be emptied a few times a day.
• Do not take a shower or use a bathtub till your drains are removed. You can take sponge baths during this period.
• You will be taught certain arm exercises that you need to do to prevent the shoulder and arm from becoming stiff on the side of the surgery.
• Take good rest during the recovery period following a lumpectomy.

Cost of lumpectomy in India-

The cost of a lumpectomy in Mumbai is between INR 1,25,000 to INR 2,25,000.
The cost of a lumpectomy in Delhi is between INR 1,10,000 to INR 2,10,000.
The cost of a lumpectomy in Bangalore is between INR 1,10,000 to INR 2,10,000.
The cost of a lumpectomy in Chennai is between INR 1,00,000 to INR 2,00,000.