Lumpectomy (breast-conserving surgery): Surgical removal of the tumor with a margin of surrounding normal tissue, while preserving most of the breast.

  • Usually followed by: Radiation therapy to reduce local recurrence risk.
  • Indication: Early-stage breast cancer, when tumor size and location allow breast preservation.
  • Oncology pharmacist relevance: Post-lumpectomy patients often still require systemic therapy (endocrine, chemo, targeted, or immunotherapy) depending on ER/PR/HER2 status and risk factors.

In short: Lumpectomy = breast-conserving surgery, always paired with radiation for local control.

Links