What is a significant advantage of a lumpectomy?

A significant advantage of a lumpectomy is that it preserves much of the breast’s appearance. This procedure involves the removal of the tumor along with a small margin of healthy tissue, allowing the majority of the breast to remain intact. This not only supports a more favorable cosmetic outcome compared to a mastectomy, where the entire breast is removed, but also helps in maintaining the patient’s self-image and quality of life after treatment. While lumpectomy can be an effective option for many women with early-stage breast cancer, it is often accompanied by radiation therapy as part of the treatment plan, which highlights the importance of understanding that lumpectomy does not eliminate the risk of future treatment or recurrence of cancer.