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Indications for Lumpectomy
A lumpectomy is recommended for several medical reasons:
- Diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.
- Presence of a single, small tumour in the breast.
- Preference for breast-conserving surgery over a mastectomy.
Preparation for lumpectomy surgery ensures optimal outcomes and involves several key steps:
The patient meets with the surgeon to discuss the details of the procedure, potential risks, benefits, and expected outcomes. This is also an opportunity for the patient to ask questions and express any concerns.
Detailed imaging tests such as mammography, ultrasound, or MRI are performed to locate the tumour and assess its size and shape. These images help in planning the surgical approach.
For non-palpable tumours, a localisation procedure is performed. This involves inserting a wire (wire-guided lumpectomy) or a small radioactive seed (seed localization lumpectomy) into the breast to mark the tumour’s exact location. This is typically done under local anaesthesia using imaging guidance.
There are different types of lumpectomy procedures depending on the extent of tissue removal:
A lumpectomy is recommended for several medical reasons:
Dr. Tan is a Fellowship-trained Breast & Endocrine Surgeon who is registered on the Specialist Register (General Surgery) in both Singapore and Australia. He completed his formal Breast Surgery training through the BreastSurgANZ Fellowship Programme. He was previously Head, Division of Breast & Endocrine Surgery, NTFGH where he was the pioneer breast surgeon there developing a comprehensive, evidence-based Breast Surgery service.
Dr. Tan is passionate about engaging the wider community with regards to breast cancer outcomes. He volunteers with the Singapore Cancer Society and served as the Chairman of the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign Committee from 2018 to 2021. He continues to currently serve as a member of this committee. During his time in the public hospital, Dr. Tan was involved in research on breast cancer screening and care, where he succeeded in obtaining competitive grants and managing a research team, with the overall aim to improve breast cancer outcomes in Singapore.
Dr. Tan believes in the importance of the patient experience and the partnership between doctor and patients in healing sickness. He also believes no two individuals are the same. He believes in the philosophy of personalised tailor-made care plans for each of his patients to meet their individual expectations and needs.
Dr. Tan aims to provide comprehensive, evidence-based care to all his patients, in a modern equipped clinic along the entire spectrum of the patient journey from diagnosis, through treatment/surgery and aftercare.
Please speak to our friendly clinic staff about using your insurance plans.
*NTUC Income (Extended Panel)
Eligibility for a lumpectomy typically depends on the size and location of the tumour, the overall size of your breast, and your personal and medical history.
Scarring from a lumpectomy varies based on the surgery’s extent and your healing characteristics. The scar is generally small and can often be hidden along the contour of the breast, but visibility varies by individual.
Yes, breast reconstruction or oncoplastic surgery can be performed after a lumpectomy to improve the breast’s appearance, depending on the amount of tissue removed and personal preferences.
The risk of recurrence depends on several factors, including the cancer type, stage, and whether additional treatments like radiation or hormone therapy are received.
Dr. Tan Chuan Chien is a Fellowship-trained Breast and Endocrine Surgeon practicing as a Consultant General Surgeon at Gleneagles Hospital, Singapore. He also sees patients at Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre and Parkway East Medical Centre. Dr. Tan is a registered Specialist Surgeon (General Surgery) in both Singapore and Australia.
We are equipped with modern and updated equipment, and a team that will take care of all your needs.
Dr. Tan is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS). He is also accredited to practice as a Specialist in both Singapore and Australia.
Dr. Tan firmly believes that transdisciplinary care is the key to every patient’s recovery journey.
Dr Tan is available via video-consultations for patients who are not in Singapore.
While lumpectomy is generally considered safe, it is not without potential complications, which include:
Infection at the surgical site may present as increased redness, warmth, swelling, or discharge. Management typically involves antibiotics and close monitoring.
A hematoma is a blood collection inside the breast tissue, and a seroma is a fluid collection. Both can cause swelling and pain. Treatment may include drainage if the collection is large or symptomatic.
Patients may experience temporary or permanent changes in sensation in the breast or nipple area due to nerve damage during surgery. While some sensory functions may return over time, some changes can be permanent.
If lymph nodes are removed or damaged during surgery, there is a risk of lymphedema, causing arm swelling on the affected side. Management includes physical therapy to improve lymphatic drainage, wearing compression garments to reduce swelling, regular check-ups to detect early signs, maintaining good skin hygiene to prevent infections, and manual lymphatic drainage, a gentle massage to promote lymph flow.
The lumpectomy procedure is carefully planned and executed to remove cancerous tissue while preserving as much breast tissue as possible:
The patient is administered general anaesthesia (to put them to sleep) or local anaesthesia with sedation (to numb the area and relax the patient), depending on the surgeon’s recommendation and the patient’s preference.
The patient is positioned on the operating table to provide the best access to the tumour site.
A small incision is made over or near the tumour site. The location and size of the incision depend on the tumour’s size, location, and the chosen surgical technique.
A sentinel lymph node biopsy may be performed to check if cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. A dye or radioactive substance is injected to identify the sentinel lymph node, which is then removed and examined.
The incision is closed with sutures (stitches), surgical glue, or staples. The choice of closure depends on the surgeon’s preference and the location of the incision. A sterile dressing is applied to the wound.
Effective post-operative care ensures a smooth recovery after a lumpectomy:
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