Breast Conserving Surgery

What Is Breast‑Conserving Surgery?

Breast‑conserving surgery, often called a lumpectomy, is a surgical option used to treat breast cancer while preserving as much of the natural breast as possible. Instead of removing the entire breast, the surgeon removes the cancer along with a small rim of surrounding healthy tissue.

The goal of breast‑conserving surgery is to effectively treat the cancer while maintaining the breast’s appearance, whenever it is safe to do so.

Who Is a Candidate for Breast‑Conserving Surgery?

Breast‑conserving surgery may be an option for many patients, depending on:

  • The size and location of the cancer

  • The size of the breast

  • Imaging findings

  • Overall health and personal preferences

Dr. Kwan-Feinberg will carefully review all factors and discuss whether this approach is appropriate for you.

What Are the Benefits?

For many patients, breast‑conserving surgery offers:

  • Preservation of most of the natural breast

  • Effective cancer treatment

  • A shorter recovery compared to mastectomy

  • Good cosmetic outcomes when combined with careful surgical planning