Decision guide
Lumpectomy is breast-conserving surgery: the aim is to remove the cancer while keeping as much healthy breast tissue as possible.
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Lumpectomy is breast-conserving surgery: the aim is to remove the cancer while keeping as much healthy breast tissue as possible. The edges of the removed tissue are called margins. A negative, or clear, margin means that no tumour is found at the edge.
There are different ways to locate the tumour during surgery, including ultrasound, a guiding wire, or feeling a lump that can be felt through the skin. Ultrasound guidance can improve the chance of clear margins. Another technique, called cavity shaving, removes extra tissue from around the space left by the lumpectomy; research has linked it to fewer positive margins and repeat operations.
Lumpectomy is used for early-stage invasive breast cancer and ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS. These diagnoses involve different decisions about margins and treatment after surgery. For DCIS, close margins or cancer at the tissue edge can lead to a choice between removing more tissue and mastectomy, which removes the breast.
Cancer returning in a previously treated breast is a different situation from a first diagnosis. A 2025 review described mastectomy as the standard treatment for this recurrence, while repeat lumpectomy followed by another course of external-beam radiation was an emerging alternative. The studies mainly involved small recurrent tumours, often without cancer in the lymph nodes; their findings cannot be applied to everyone considering a first lumpectomy.
Clear margins and long-term cancer control are different outcomes. In a 2021 analysis of 20 randomised trials involving 2,519 people having breast-conserving surgery, ultrasound guidance increased the relative chance of clear margins at surgery by 18% compared with wire guidance or locating the tumour by touch. This is a relative improvement in a surgical result, not an 18-percentage-point improvement in survival.
For DCIS, a 2018 analysis of four randomised trials included 3,680 patients: 1,710 received radiation after lumpectomy and 1,970 received no additional treatment. With more than 10 years of follow-up, radiation reduced recurrence in the same breast by about half in relative terms. The absolute reduction was 15 percentage points, or about 15 fewer recurrences per 100 patients. There was no statistically significant difference in overall mortality. These results concern radiation after surgery for DCIS, not lumpectomy alone for every type of breast cancer.
A possible consequence of lumpectomy is needing another operation to remove more tissue. This is called re-excision. Decisions depend in part on whether cancer reaches the margin and on the diagnosis. For invasive breast cancer, a 2019 review examined guidance against routine re-excision when there is no cancer touching the ink used to mark the tissue edge. This is not a blanket rule for DCIS.
Radiation choices also involve trade-offs in local recurrence, meaning cancer returning in the treated breast. In a trial reported in 2020, 2,298 women aged 45 or older with invasive ductal cancers up to 3.5 cm received either a risk-adapted radiation approach during lumpectomy or external-beam radiation to the whole breast. At five years, local recurrence occurred in 24 of 1,140 women (2.11%) in the intraoperative group and 11 of 1,158 (0.95%) in the external-beam group. Around one in five in the intraoperative group also needed external-beam radiation because of higher-risk findings after surgery. Although the trial met its predefined threshold for an acceptable difference, a 2022 review advised against considering intraoperative radiation a standard approach because of higher recurrence rates.
Treatment after lumpectomy may include radiation. For women with early-stage breast cancer, a 2022 review supported courses lasting five days or less that treat either the whole breast or part of it. A radiation course length describes treatment time, not how quickly the surgical wound heals.
For postmenopausal women with hormone-sensitive DCIS, treatment after lumpectomy and whole-breast radiation has also been studied with tamoxifen or anastrozole. In that trial, both medicines were prescribed for five years. This was a treatment plan for that particular group, not a schedule for everyone who has a lumpectomy.
| Specialist | Clinic | Operations and experience | Ask about treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
Mustafa Solak | Hisar Hospital Intercontinental Istanbul, Turkey | Mastectomy; Thyroid resection; Removal of liver cancer; Removal of colon cancer; Prostatectomy; Removal of spinal cord tumor; Melanoma surgery; Nephrectomy; Stomach cancer surgery; Da Vinci Robotic System; Esophagectomy; Small intestine resection; Robotic da Vinci prostatectomy; Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP); Breast cancer surgery; Hysterectomy (uterus removal); Lumpectomy; Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC); Whipple surgery; Orchiectomy; Mohs microsurgery; Hysterectomy with DaVinci robot; Lung cancer surgery; Bladder removal; Colectomy (large bowel resection); Liver resection; Removal of meningioma; Rectal resection; Removal of testicle tumor; Throat cancer operation; Tongue cancer surgery; Gastroectomy; Pancreatic cancer surgery; Bladder removal with reconstruction; Laparoscopic Hysterectomy In practice since 2006 | Ask about treatment |
Haluk Duman | Anadolu Medical Center Istanbul, Turkey | Mastectomy; Melanoma surgery; Lumpectomy In practice since 1995 | Ask about treatment |
Harun Cologlu | Istinye University Liv Hospital Bahcesehir Istanbul, Turkey | Lumpectomy In practice since 2005 | Ask about treatment |
Pekize Eker Balcioglu | Hisar Hospital Intercontinental Istanbul, Turkey | Nephrectomy; Small intestine resection; Hysterectomy (uterus removal); Lumpectomy; Colectomy (large bowel resection); Liver resection; Rectal resection; Gastroectomy In practice since 2002 | Ask about treatment |
Cengiz Dibekoglu | Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital Istanbul, Turkey | Breast cancer surgery; Lumpectomy; Colectomy (large bowel resection); Rectal resection; Gastroectomy In practice since 1991 | Ask about treatment |
Halil Alis | Valued Med Hub Hospitals Istanbul, Turkey | Small intestine resection; Hysterectomy (uterus removal); Lumpectomy; Whipple surgery; Lung cancer surgery; Colectomy (large bowel resection); Liver resection; Gastroectomy In practice since 1992 | Ask about treatment |
Murat Atay | Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital Istanbul, Turkey | Mastectomy; Breast cancer surgery; Lumpectomy In practice since 1993 | Ask about treatment |
Muzaffer Al | Büyük Anadolu Hospitals (BAH International) Istanbul, Turkey | Esophagectomy; Small intestine resection; Breast cancer surgery; Lumpectomy; Whipple surgery In practice since 2010 | Ask about treatment |
Soykan Barlas | VM Medical Park Florya Hospital Istanbul, Turkey | Small intestine resection; Breast cancer surgery; Lumpectomy; Whipple surgery; Colectomy (large bowel resection); Liver resection; Rectal resection; Gastroectomy; Pancreatic cancer surgery In practice since 2002 | Ask about treatment |
Assoc Prof Dr Guner Cakmak | Bookimed Batman, Turkey | Breast cancer surgery; Lumpectomy; Whipple surgery; Lung cancer surgery; Gastroectomy In practice since 1997 | Ask about treatment |
Jeyhun Isayev | Bookimed Batman, Turkey | Lumpectomy In practice since 2001 | Ask about treatment |
Selin Kapan | İstinye University Liv Hospital Topkapı Istanbul, Turkey | Esophagectomy; Small intestine resection; Breast cancer surgery; Lumpectomy; Whipple surgery; Orchiectomy; Lung cancer surgery; Colectomy (large bowel resection); Liver resection; Rectal resection; Throat cancer operation; Gastroectomy; Pancreatic cancer surgery In practice since 1995 | Ask about treatment |
| Specialist | Clinic | Operations and experience | Ask about treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
Vladimir Yutkin | Hadassah Medical Center Jerusalem, Israel | Prostatectomy; Nephrectomy; Da Vinci Robotic System; Robotic da Vinci prostatectomy; Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP); Lumpectomy; Hysterectomy with DaVinci robot; Bladder removal In practice since 1996 | Ask about treatment |
Dov Zippel | Sheba Medical Center Ramat Gan, Israel | Mastectomy; Melanoma surgery; Lumpectomy In practice since 2001 | Ask about treatment |
| Specialist | Clinic | Operations and experience | Ask about treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
Manuela Seifert | Medical Center in Solingen Solingen, Germany | Mastectomy; Removal of colon cancer; Breast cancer surgery; Lumpectomy In practice since 2000 | Ask about treatment |
Peter Schenker | Medical Center in Solingen Solingen, Germany | Esophagectomy; Small intestine resection; Lumpectomy; Whipple surgery; Mohs microsurgery; Lung cancer surgery; Colectomy (large bowel resection); Liver resection; Rectal resection; Gastroectomy; Pancreatic cancer surgery In practice since 2007 | Ask about treatment |
Wolfgang Schröder | Helios Gesundheit Wuppertal, Germany | Removal of liver cancer; Removal of colon cancer; Nephrectomy; Stomach cancer surgery; Da Vinci Robotic System; Esophagectomy; Small intestine resection; Breast cancer surgery; Lumpectomy; Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC); Whipple surgery; Mohs microsurgery; Lung cancer surgery; Colectomy (large bowel resection); Liver resection; Rectal resection; Throat cancer operation; Gastroectomy; Pancreatic cancer surgery In practice since 2001 | Ask about treatment |
| Specialist | Clinic | Operations and experience | Ask about treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
Florian Fitzal | Wiener Privatklinik (WPK) Vienna, Austria | Mastectomy; Lumpectomy In practice since 2006 | Ask about treatment |
| Specialist | Clinic | Operations and experience | Ask about treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
Xavier Centeno Fornies | Centro Médico Teknon Barcelona, Spain | Nephrectomy; Small intestine resection; Hysterectomy (uterus removal); Lumpectomy; Whipple surgery; Bladder removal; Colectomy (large bowel resection); Liver resection; Rectal resection; Removal of testicle tumor; Throat cancer operation; Gastroectomy; Pancreatic cancer surgery; Bladder removal with reconstruction In practice since 1994 | Ask about treatment |
Cesar Canales Bedoya | Hospital Ruber Internacional Madrid, Spain | Nephrectomy; Small intestine resection; Lumpectomy; Bladder removal; Colectomy (large bowel resection); Liver resection; Rectal resection; Gastroectomy In practice since 1950 | Ask about treatment |
| Specialist | Clinic | Operations and experience | Ask about treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
Gerald Filip | Ponderas Academic Hospital Bucharest, Romania | Breast cancer surgery; Lumpectomy In practice since 1996 | Ask about treatment |
| Specialist | Clinic | Operations and experience | Ask about treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
Piotr Ciszewski | WILMED Medical Clinic Warsaw, Poland | Mastectomy; Melanoma surgery; Breast cancer surgery; Lumpectomy In practice since 1992 | Ask about treatment |
Aleksandra Starosciak | WILMED Medical Clinic Warsaw, Poland | Mastectomy; Breast cancer surgery; Lumpectomy In practice since 2002 | Ask about treatment |
Dariusz Michalik | WILMED Medical Clinic Warsaw, Poland | Mastectomy; Breast cancer surgery; Lumpectomy In practice since 1990 | Ask about treatment |
| Specialist | Clinic | Operations and experience | Ask about treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
Lee Jihyeon | NAEUN HOSPITAL Incheon, Republic of Korea | Lumpectomy In practice since 1979 | Ask about treatment |
| Public programme | Clinic | Recorded price | Programme details | Request a quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumpectomy Surgery Package | Lokman Hekim Istanbul Hospital | USD 3850Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesLumpectomy Surgery Package Included: Lumpectomy Included: Hotel Included: Boost metabolism Included: Boost overall well-being Included: Preoperative tests Included: Follow-up examination Included: Chest X-ray Included: Language assistance Included: MRI of one area Included: Follow-up visit Included: Biopsy Included: Full board (breakfast+lunch+dinner+drinks) Included: Hospitalization + afterward hotel stay Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Additional activities not included Stay: 2 days in the hospital |
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| Public programme | Clinic | Recorded price | Programme details | Request a quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breast Cancer- Lumpectomy organ-preserving surgery at Sheba Medical Center | Sheba Medical Center | USD 11500Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesBreast Cancer- Lumpectomy organ-preserving surgery at Sheba Medical Center Included: Ultrasound Included: Mammography Included: Breast ultrasound Included: Revision of MRI results Included: Histopathology revision Included: PET/CT in breast cancer Included: Lumpectomy Included: Post-operative care Included: Electrocardiogram (ECG) Included: Preoperative tests Included: Blood tests Included: Post-op medications Included: Consultation with an anesthesiologist Included: Complete blood count (CBC) Included: Consultation with an oncologist Included: Consultation with a mammologist Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Excluded: Transfer is not included Stay: 1 days in the hospital Stay: 7 days in the hotel Source differences
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| BREAST CANCER- Assessment and Mastectomy at Sheba Medical Center | Sheba Medical Center | USD 13000Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesBREAST CANCER- Assessment and Mastectomy at Sheba Medical Center Included: Ultrasound Included: Consultation with an oncologist Included: Mammography Included: Consultation with a surgeon Included: Breast ultrasound Included: Histopathology revision Included: PET/CT in breast cancer Included: Mastectomy Included: Lumpectomy Included: Post-operative care Included: Electrocardiogram (ECG) Included: Preoperative tests Included: Blood tests Included: Post-op medications Included: Consultation with an anesthesiologist Included: Complete blood count (CBC) Included: Consultation with a mammologist Included: Hospitalization Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Transfer is not included Stay: 1 days in the hospital Stay: 7 days in the hotel Source differences
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| Public programme | Clinic | Recorded price | Programme details | Request a quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segmental Mastectomy for Malignant Lesions | Memorial Göztepe Hospital | USD 9180Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesSegmental Mastectomy for Malignant Lesions Included: Lumpectomy Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 1 days in the hospital |
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| Segmental Mastectomy with Axillary Sentinel Lymph Node Excision | Memorial Göztepe Hospital | USD 13560Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesSegmental Mastectomy with Axillary Sentinel Lymph Node Excision Included: Lumpectomy Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 2 days in the hospital |
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| Segmental Mastectomy with Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (Same or Different Incision) | Memorial Göztepe Hospital | USD 13560Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesSegmental Mastectomy with Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (Same or Different Incision) Included: Lumpectomy Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 1 days in the hospital |
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| Segmental Mastectomy with Axillary Dissection (Separate Incision) | Memorial Göztepe Hospital | USD 14440Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesSegmental Mastectomy with Axillary Dissection (Separate Incision) Included: Lumpectomy Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 2 days in the hospital |
Ask about treatment |
| Public programme | Clinic | Recorded price | Programme details | Request a quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segmental Mastectomy for Malignant Lesions | Memorial Şişli Hospital | USD 9180Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesSegmental Mastectomy for Malignant Lesions Included: Lumpectomy Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 1 days in the hospital |
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| Segmental Mastectomy with Axillary Sentinel Lymph Node Excision | Memorial Şişli Hospital | USD 13560Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesSegmental Mastectomy with Axillary Sentinel Lymph Node Excision Included: Lumpectomy Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 2 days in the hospital |
Ask about treatment |
| Segmental Mastectomy with Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (Same or Different Incision) | Memorial Şişli Hospital | USD 13560Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesSegmental Mastectomy with Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (Same or Different Incision) Included: Lumpectomy Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 1 days in the hospital |
Ask about treatment |
| Segmental Mastectomy with Axillary Dissection (Separate Incision) | Memorial Şişli Hospital | USD 14440Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesSegmental Mastectomy with Axillary Dissection (Separate Incision) Included: Lumpectomy Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 2 days in the hospital |
Ask about treatment |
| Public programme | Clinic | Recorded price | Programme details | Request a quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segmental Mastectomy for Malignant Lesions | Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital | USD 9180Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesSegmental Mastectomy for Malignant Lesions Included: Lumpectomy Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 1 days in the hospital |
Ask about treatment |
| Segmental Mastectomy with Axillary Sentinel Lymph Node Excision | Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital | USD 13560Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesSegmental Mastectomy with Axillary Sentinel Lymph Node Excision Included: Lumpectomy Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 2 days in the hospital |
Ask about treatment |
| Segmental Mastectomy with Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (Same or Different Incision) | Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital | USD 13560Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesSegmental Mastectomy with Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (Same or Different Incision) Included: Lumpectomy Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 1 days in the hospital |
Ask about treatment |
| Segmental Mastectomy with Axillary Dissection (Separate Incision) | Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital | USD 14440Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesSegmental Mastectomy with Axillary Dissection (Separate Incision) Included: Lumpectomy Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 2 days in the hospital |
Ask about treatment |
| Public programme | Clinic | Recorded price | Programme details | Request a quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segmental Mastectomy for Malignant Lesions | Memorial Ataşehir Hospital | USD 9180Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesSegmental Mastectomy for Malignant Lesions Included: Lumpectomy Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 1 days in the hospital |
Ask about treatment |
| Segmental Mastectomy with Axillary Sentinel Lymph Node Excision | Memorial Ataşehir Hospital | USD 13560Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesSegmental Mastectomy with Axillary Sentinel Lymph Node Excision Included: Lumpectomy Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 2 days in the hospital |
Ask about treatment |
| Segmental Mastectomy with Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (Same or Different Incision) | Memorial Ataşehir Hospital | USD 13560Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesSegmental Mastectomy with Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (Same or Different Incision) Included: Lumpectomy Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 1 days in the hospital |
Ask about treatment |
| Segmental Mastectomy with Axillary Dissection (Separate Incision) | Memorial Ataşehir Hospital | USD 14440Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesSegmental Mastectomy with Axillary Dissection (Separate Incision) Included: Lumpectomy Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 2 days in the hospital |
Ask about treatment |
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Free Bookimed support. Compare options before deciding.
Free Bookimed support. Compare options before deciding.