Lumpectomy
What is Lumpectomy?
A lumpectomy, also known as breast-conserving surgery or wide local excision, is a procedure to remove a breast tumor (usually cancerous) along with a margin of surrounding healthy tissue, while preserving the breast’s appearance. It’s often followed by radiation to reduce recurrence risk. In India, lumpectomies are performed in surgical oncology or general surgery departments at hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Medanta, Tata Memorial, and AIIMS, often at affordable costs. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs is essential for patients.
Why do you need Lumpectomy?
Lumpectomy is indicated for:
- Breast cancer:
- Early-stage (stage I–II) invasive breast cancer (70–80% of cases are eligible).
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS, non-invasive; 20% of breast cancers).
- Tumor size <4–5 cm (relative to breast size).
- Incidence in India: 25–30 per 100,000 women annually; rising in urban areas.
- Benign conditions (less common):
- Fibroadenomas or phyllodes tumors (if large or symptomatic).
- Associated treatments:
- Radiation therapy: Standard post-lumpectomy for cancer (6–7 weeks).
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB): To check for cancer spread.
- Adjuvant therapy: Chemotherapy or hormonal therapy (e.g., tamoxifen) based on tumor profile.
- Timing:
- Performed in adults (average age 40–60 years at diagnosis); urgency depends on cancer stage.
The procedure aims to remove the tumor with clear margins (no cancer at edges), preserve breast appearance, and achieve outcomes comparable to mastectomy for early-stage cancer, with less psychological impact.
Why Do Lumpectomy Costs Vary in India?
Costs range from ₹50,000 to ₹1.5 lakh :
- Procedure Complexity: Lumpectomy alone (₹50,000–₹80,000); with SLNB or oncoplastic (₹80,000–₹1.5 lakh).
- Hospital/Location: Higher in metro cities (Apollo, Fortis: ₹80,000–₹1.5 lakh); lower in government hospitals (Tata Memorial, AIIMS: ₹20,000–₹50,000, often subsidized under Ayushman Bharat).
- Surgeon’s Expertise: Experienced surgical oncologists charge more.
- Additional Costs: Anesthesia (₹5,000–₹15,000), hospital stay (₹5,000–₹10,000/day), pathology (₹5,000–₹10,000), medications (₹2,000–₹5,000).
- Insurance: Often covered (medical necessity); confirm with your provider.
Lumpectomy Procedure
- Before Surgery Evaluation:
- Assessment:
- Mammogram/ultrasound/MRI: Assesses tumor size, location, and extent.
- Biopsy: Confirms cancer type (e.g., invasive ductal carcinoma) and receptor status (ER/PR/HER2).
- Blood tests: Blood sugar, clotting profile; liver function.
- Preparation: Stop blood thinners (e.g., aspirin) 5–7 days prior if safe; discuss radiation plan.
- Consent: Risks, including recurrence, are explained.
- Assessment:
- Surgical Technique:
- Lumpectomy:
- Performed under general anesthesia, lasting 1–2 hours.
- Process:
- Incision: Made over or near tumor (2–5 cm); often curved to follow breast contour for better cosmesis.
- Tumor removal: Tumor and margin (0.5–1 cm of healthy tissue) excised; sent for pathology to confirm clear margins.
- SLNB (if cancer): Small incision in axilla; 1–3 sentinel nodes removed to check for spread.
- Oncoplastic techniques (if needed): Breast tissue reshaped to minimize deformity.
- Closure: Sutures in layers (absorbable); skin closed with fine sutures or glue; small drain (if needed).
- Intraoperative Tools:
- Wire localization: For non-palpable tumors; wire placed via mammogram guidance pre-op.
- Frozen section: Intraoperative pathology to check margins (if available).
- Blue dye/radioisotope: Identifies sentinel nodes.
- Lumpectomy:
- After Surgery:
- Hospital stay: Same-day discharge or 1 day.
- Care: Arm exercises to prevent stiffness; avoid pressure on breast; drain (if placed) removed in 3–5 days.
- Pain management: Mild pain for 3–5 days; managed with painkillers (e.g., paracetamol).
- Instructions: Avoid strenuous activity for 2–4 weeks; radiation typically starts 4–6 weeks post-op.
Recovery After Lumpectomy
- Hospital Stay: Same-day discharge or 1 day.
- Post-Surgery Care:
- Pain/Swelling: Mild pain for 3–5 days; swelling/bruising resolves in 1–2 weeks.
- Activity: Avoid heavy lifting or arm strain for 2–4 weeks; light activities in 3–5 days.
- Incision: Sutures removed in 7–10 days (if non-absorbable); scar fades in 3–6 months.
- Breast: Wear supportive bra; expect temporary shape changes (resolve post-radiation).
- Radiation: Starts 4–6 weeks post-op; daily for 6–7 weeks.
- Follow-Up:
- Visits at 1 week (check healing), 1 month, and every 3–6 months for 5 years (recurrence risk).
- Mammogram: At 6–12 months to monitor for recurrence.
Most resume normal activities in 1–2 weeks; full recovery (including radiation) takes 2–3 months. Success rate: 5-year survival for early-stage breast cancer is 90–95%; local recurrence rate is 5–10% with radiation.
Risks and Complications
- Surgical Risks:
- Bleeding (1–3%): Hematoma in breast; may resolve or need drainage.
- Infection (1–3%): At incision site; treated with antibiotics.
- Anesthesia risks (<1%): Reaction to anesthesia; rare in healthy patients.
- Post-Surgery:
- Seroma (3–5%): Fluid collection in breast; may need aspiration.
- Lymphedema (2–5%, with SLNB): Arm swelling if lymph nodes removed; managed with compression.
- Breast asymmetry (5–10%): Shape changes; may need oncoplastic revision.
- Margin positivity (5–10%): Cancer at margins; may need re-excision or mastectomy.
- Long-Term:
- Recurrence (5–10%): In breast; reduced with radiation; needs regular mammograms.
- Radiation effects (5–10%): Skin changes or fibrosis; usually mild.
Report fever, severe swelling, redness, or persistent pain promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What causes the need for lumpectomy?
Early-stage breast cancer (stage I–II or DCIS); occasionally benign tumors (e.g., fibroadenomas).
Can I avoid lumpectomy?
Yes, if eligible: Mastectomy is an alternative; some DCIS may be monitored (low-risk); surgery needed for invasive cancer.
Is lumpectomy painful?
Mild pain for 3–5 days, managed with medication; resolves in 1–2 weeks.
How soon can I resume normal activities?
Light activities: 3–5 days; full recovery: 2–3 months (with radiation); avoid strenuous activity for 2–4 weeks.
Is lumpectomy covered by insurance in India?
Often covered (medical necessity); confirm with your provider; Ayushman Bharat often subsidizes.
Signs of complications?
Fever, severe swelling, redness, or persistent pain.
Will my breast look normal after surgery?
Yes, in most cases: 80–90% preserve natural appearance; minor asymmetry possible but often improves post-radiation.
Lifestyle changes post-surgery?
Wear supportive bra, avoid arm strain, attend radiation, and follow up with mammograms.
Conclusion
Lumpectomy is a safe and effective procedure for early-stage breast cancer, offering breast preservation with outcomes similar to mastectomy when paired with radiation. India’s top hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, Tata Memorial) provide affordable care, often covered by insurance. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs helps patients approach surgery confidently. Consult a surgical oncologist for personalized guidance.
Looking for Best Hospitals for Lumpectomy
Note: we are not promoting any hospitals
we are not promoting any hospitals we sourced all the details from google and hospitals website, please verify and start with your surgery here we go the list includes government, budget and superspeciality hospitals accreditation bodies are the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI)
- click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
| City | Minimum Price (₹) | Maximum Price (₹) |
|---|---|---|
Agra |
40,000 |
1,50,000 |
Ahmedabad |
60,000 |
2,50,000 |
Ajmer |
40,000 |
1,50,000 |
Aligarh |
40,000 |
1,50,000 |
Allahabad |
40,000 |
1,50,000 |
Amritsar |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Aurangabad |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Bangalore |
60,000 |
2,50,000 |
Bareilly |
40,000 |
1,50,000 |
Belgaum |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Bhopal |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Bhubaneswar |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Bikaner |
40,000 |
1,50,000 |
Chandigarh |
60,000 |
2,50,000 |
Chennai |
60,000 |
2,50,000 |
Coimbatore |
60,000 |
2,50,000 |
Dehradun |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Delhi |
60,000 |
2,50,000 |
Dhanbad |
40,000 |
1,50,000 |
Durgapur |
40,000 |
1,50,000 |
Faridabad |
60,000 |
2,50,000 |
Ghaziabad |
60,000 |
2,50,000 |
Gorakhpur |
40,000 |
1,50,000 |
Guntur |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Gurgaon |
60,000 |
2,50,000 |
Guwahati |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Gwalior |
40,000 |
1,50,000 |
Hyderabad |
60,000 |
2,50,000 |
Indore |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Jabalpur |
40,000 |
1,50,000 |
Jaipur |
60,000 |
2,50,000 |
Jalandhar |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Jamshedpur |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Jodhpur |
40,000 |
1,50,000 |
kanpur |
40,000 |
1,50,000 |
Kochi |
60,000 |
2,50,000 |
Kolkata |
60,000 |
2,50,000 |
Kollam |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Lucknow |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Ludhiana |
60,000 |
2,50,000 |
Madurai |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Mangalore |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Meerut |
40,000 |
1,50,000 |
Moradabad |
40,000 |
1,50,000 |
Mumbai |
60,000 |
2,50,000 |
Mysore |
60,000 |
2,50,000 |
Nagpur |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Nashik |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Navi Mumbai |
60,000 |
2,50,000 |
Noida |
60,000 |
2,50,000 |
Patna |
40,000 |
1,50,000 |
Pune |
60,000 |
2,50,000 |
Raipur |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Rajkot |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Ranchi |
40,000 |
1,50,000 |
Surat |
60,000 |
2,50,000 |
Thane |
60,000 |
2,50,000 |
Vadodara |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Varanasi |
40,000 |
1,50,000 |
Visakhapatnam |
50,000 |
2,00,000 |
Disclaimer
This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.