About this topic
Lumpectomy is the removal of a lump from your breast. The doctor removes only a part of the breast. The lab tests the lump to see if it is cancer. Your doctor will also take a small portion of healthy tissue around the lump. This is to make sure that all cancer or other abnormal tissue is removed. It is part of a treatment for early stage breast cancer. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Wear a support bra.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving
- Be sure to wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor will talk with you about the tissue test result. Together you can make a plan if more care is needed.
- If you have stitches or a drain, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent infection
Will physical activity be limited?
Rest is important. You need to avoid playing sports, swimming, and heavy lifting for a week or so after the surgery. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
Healthy eating habits are important. They will help you get stronger and make you feel better. You may need to start with liquids and a light meal the day of surgery. Then, you can go back to your regular diet as you are able to. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Scarring
- Nerve damage
- Cancer may come back
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, wound that will not heal, or pain.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Very bad upset stomach and throwing up
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever or swelling, redness, or warmth around my wound.
Where can I learn more?
American Cancer Society ‚
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCancer/DetailedGuide/breast-cancer-treating-surgery ‚
National Cancer Institute ‚
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/detailedguide/breast-cancer-treating-surgery ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚