The term usually refers to a lumpectomy in which only the tumor and a small sample of the surrounding breast tissue are removed surgically, but the breast is left otherwise intact. Occasionally the term, partial mastectomy, is used to describe a segmental mastectomy, in which the tumor, surrounding tissue, lining over chest muscles, and sometimes certain lymph nodes are removed.
If your doctor or cancer surgeon uses the term, partial mastectomy, please ask for clarification regarding their definition. |
