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The Voice of People With Breast Cancer
helping you understand your surgical options
SurgeryGuide
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Lumpectomy (Breast Conserving Surgery)
A lumpectomy, or breast-conserving surgery, removes the tumour and a small margin of surrounding healthy tissue while preserving the rest of the breast. It is usually followed by radiation therapy to lower the chance of the cancer returning.
For people with early-stage breast cancer, lumpectomy plus radiation provides the same long-term survival as mastectomy.
These surgeries may be done under regional or general anesthesia. Lymph nodes are often checked for cancer at the same time.
Who Is Lumpectomy Recommended For?
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People who have early-stage tumours that are in one area of the breast
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People who can have radiation therapy
- People who want to preserve breast appearance
It may not be recommended if:
- The tumour is large or in multiple areas of the breast
- Radiation is not an option (such as during pregnancy or prior radiation to the breast)
- The cancer is inflammatory breast cancer or a high-risk tumour that requires more extensive surgery
For those with hereditary breast cancer (e.g., BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations), mastectomy may be more commonly recommended, but breast-conserving options can still be considered in some cases.
Immediate Reconstruction (Oncoplastic Lumpectomy)
Oncoplastic lumpectomy combines a lumpectomy with plastic surgery techniques to improve breast shape. This approach helps prevent noticeable dents or unevenness by reshaping the breast at the time of tumour removal.
Benefits of Oncoplastic Lumpectomy
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Helps keep breast shape and symmetry after surgery
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Reduces the need for future corrective surgery
- Helps maintain a natural breast shape, even when a larger portion of tissue is removed
Oncoplastic lumpectomy in Canada is grouped into three levels based on the complexity of reconstruction, the volume of tissue removed, and the surgical expertise required:
Level 1 (Up to 15% Tissue Removal)
- Performed by most breast surgeons without specialized training
- Uses remaining breast tissue to reshape the breast
- Scars are often placed in less visible areas
- Breast size may be slightly reduced (about one cup size)
Level 2 (15%–25% Tissue Removal)
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Requires specialized surgical training
- Involves moving the nipple and extensive reshaping
- Combines Level 1 reshaping techniques with:
- Fat grafting (completed later on, after radiation) or tissue flaps
- Plastic surgery techniques like a breast lift or reduction
Level 3 (25%–60% Tissue Removal)
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Uses breast reduction techniques to reshape the breast
- Often includes surgery on the opposite breast for symmetry
- Suitable for larger tumour removal while preserving breast shape
- Often an alternative to mastectomy for patients with large breasts who require extensive tissue removal
Additional Considerations
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Oncoplastic lumpectomy is widely used in Europe and the U.S. but still emerging in Canada
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Level 1 is widely available, while Levels 2 and 3 require specialized training
- Surgical clips are placed during all oncoplastic procedures to mark the tumour site for future imaging and radiation
- Recovery varies, but many patients resume normal activities within weeks
Availability differs by region. Discuss with your surgeon to see if it's an option for you.
Reconstruction Options After a Lumpectomy
Reconstruction after a lumpectomy is a personal choice, influenced by past treatments, breast shape, and personal goals. A plastic surgeon can help you decide which options best suit your needs. Below are some of the most common approaches.
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Lipofilling or Fat Grafting
Uses fat from other areas of the body to fill in dents after a lumpectomy
- Fat is usually taken from the abdomen or buttocks
- Uses your own tissue, reducing the risk of rejection
- Creates a natural feel similar to the rest of the breast
- People with less body fat may need fat take from multiple areas
- May not be publicly covered, so check with your healthcare provider about costs
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Tissue Flap Reconstruction
Restores breast shape using tissue from another part of the body
- Often taken from the abdomen, buttocks, back, or thigh
- Best for correcting larger dents after lumpectomy
- For more details on different tissue flap techniques, visit our autologous reconstruction section
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Partial Prosthesis
A soft, silicone breast form used to restore balance and shape after a mastectomy
- Fits inside a bra to add volume and create a smoother, fuller shape
- Made from soft materials like silicone, similar to full prostheses
- Available in different sizes and materials for comfort
“I had a hard time feeling comfortable with something that wasn’t my own flesh filling up a gap that had been left by my lumpectomy. No matter how many bras I tried it in I just couldn’t get used to the weight and feel. I think now that part of that is that it was just too big. I now actually have a much smaller one and it is much better and feels more like me but I still don’t wear it all the time, sports bras fit me fine without it and are a big part of my daily wear.”
~Deborah~
Related reading from Our Voices Blog:
Medical Reviews by Siba Haykal, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACS, October 2025 and Mark Basik, MD, FRCSC, December 2025
References
American Cancer Society. (2021). Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy). https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/treatment/surgery-for-breast-cancer/breast-conserving-surgery-lumpectomy.html
American Cancer Society. (2021). Breast reconstruction after breast-conserving surgery. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/reconstruction-surgery/breast-reconstruction-options/breast-reconstruction-after-lumpectomy-or-partial-mastectomy.html
American Cancer Society. (2021). Breast reconstruction using your own tissues (flap procedures). https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/reconstruction-surgery/breast-reconstruction-options/breast-reconstruction-using-your-own-tissues-flap-procedures.html
Arnaout, A., Ross, D., Khayat, E., Richardson, J., Kapala, M., Hanrahan, R., Zhang, J., Doherty, C., & Brackstone, M. (2019). Position statement on defining and standardizing an oncoplastic approach to breast-conserving surgery in Canada. Current Oncology (Toronto, Ont.), 26(3), e405–e409. https://doi.org/10.3747/co.26.4195
Canadian Breast Cancer Network. (2022). Breast cancer and you: A guide for people living with breast cancer [PDF]. https://cbcn.ca/web/default/files/public/Reports/Breast%20Cancer%20and%20You_ENG_edit_web.pdf
Chatterjee, A., Gass, J., Patel, K., Holmes, D., Kopkash, K., Peiris, L., Peled, A., Ryan, J., El-Tamer, M., & Reiland, J. (2019). A consensus definition and classification system of oncoplastic surgery developed by the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Annals of Surgical Oncology, 26(11), 3436–3444. https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-019-07345-4
Citgez, B., Yigit, B., & Bas, S. (2022). Oncoplastic and reconstructive breast surgery: A comprehensive review. Cureus, 14(1), e21763. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.21763
Conner, K. (2023). Oncoplastic lumpectomy. Breastcancer.org. https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/breast-reconstruction/types/oncoplastic-lumpectomy
Conner, K. (2023). What is oncoplastic lumpectomy surgery? Breastcancer.org. https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/breast-reconstruction/types/oncoplastic-lumpectomy
Conner, K., & Uscher, J. (2025). Lumpectomy. Breastcancer.org. https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/lumpectomy
Knowles, S., Maxwell, J., Lumsden, A., Pearson, L., Pulhin, J., McLean, J., Brackstone, M., & Hanrahan, R. (2020). An alternative to standard lumpectomy: A 5-year case series review of oncoplastic breast surgery outcomes in a Canadian setting. Canadian Journal of Surgery. Journal Canadien de Chirurgie, 63(1), E46–E51. https://doi.org/10.1503/cjs.003819
Peiris, L., Olson, D., & Kelly, D. (2018). Oncoplastic and reconstructive breast surgery in Canada: Breaking new ground in general surgical training. Canadian Journal of Surgery. Journal Canadien de Chirurgie, 61(5), 294–299. https://doi.org/10.1503/cjs.016717
Piccotti, F., Rybinska, I., Scoccia, E., Morasso, C., Ricciardi, A., Signati, L., Triulzi, T., Corsi, F., & Truffi, M. (2021). Lipofilling in breast oncological surgery: A safe opportunity or risk for cancer recurrence?. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(7), 3737. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22073737
St. Joseph's Health Care London. (n.d.). New breast cancer surgery approach improves survivorship and leaves women looking and feeling whole. https://www.sjhc.london.on.ca/news-and-media/our-stories/new-breast-cancer-surgery-approach-improves-survivorship-and-leaves
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