Lumpectomy is typically recommended for women with newly diagnosed, early-stage breast cancers such as: stage I breast cancer
stage II breast cancer
DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ)
There are a few other factors that determine whether you are a good candidate: your tumor is small relative to your breast size
your tumor is in one area of your breast
you’re able to receive radiation treatments after lumpectomy
For women with larger tumors, MSK’s breast cancer team also offers several approaches that can make lumpectomy possible. MSK’s medical oncologists can sometimes use chemotherapy to shrink the tumor first. This is called neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
In addition, our plastic surgeons may be able to perform partial breast reconstruction, also known as oncoplastic surgery, during your lumpectomy. When possible, this approach allows us to achieve a good cosmetic outcome for you without the need for a mastectomy.