Lumpectomy

Depending on the size of the breast lesion in relation to the breast size, the wide local excision can be performed adequately without any re shaping of the breast. However, up to 10% of breast conserving surgery, the breast tissue removed may be substantial and a mammoplasty or oncoplastic procedure may need to be performed to maintain the shape of the breast. The oncoplastic procedure can be performed with repositioning of nipple and moving the surrounding breast tissue to cover the defect or may need to mobilise a local flap ( LICAP, LTAP,AICAP or even latissimus doors flap) to replace the lost volume.

How a breast wide local excision is done?

Wide local excision should be under general anaesthesia. There are incidence where general anaesthetic is not safe, it can be done under local anaesthesia and sedation. Please check with your surgeon.

The operation usually takes about 30 mins to one and half hours, depending on the complexity of the procedure. If the tumour is not palpable, one may have to have a pre – operative localisation with either a clip that could be detected during operation with a detector or a traditional hookwire done on the day of the procedure. This depends on the facilities available at your hospital.

When a wide local excision is performed for breast cancer, a sentinel node biopsy will also be needed. This will need an injection of radioisotope to around the nipple on the day of the procedure. In some cases, a blue dye is also used.

Usually no drain is needed after the procedure.

What happens after a breast biopsy?

Depending on your surgeon and hospital, the procedure can be done as a day procedure of an overnight stay.

Make sure you have an appointment to see your surgeon one or two weeks after the operation for a wound check and result discussion.

Unfortunately, in some cases, re excision of margin may be needed. Please discuss this with your surgeon.