Mastectomy may be the better choice if your tumour is large or has other features which suggest that recurrence of the cancer is likely. The amount of tissue to be removed . If there is more than one tumour or if the tumour is large, a lumpectomy may require the removal of a great deal of tissue, leaving the breast disfigured. In such situations, a mastectomy followed by reconstruction of the breast is often preferable. The possible complications related to each procedure.
All treatments carry the possibility of unwanted side effects.
Persistent pain, swelling and delayed healing of the wound can occur with either lumpectomy or mastectomy, but are more common with mastectomy. However, the radiotherapy that follows lumpectomy can also cause unwanted side effects, including fatigue, pain, tenderness and scarring of the breast. For more details about radiation therapy, see guideline 6 in this series. Your ability to undergo radiotherapy . Radiotherapy is normally recommended after lumpectomy since it reduces the risk of the cancer coming back in the same breast.