Lumpectomy Health Article

Normal results

When lumpectomy is performed, it is anticipated that it will be the definitive surgical treatment for breast cancer. Other forms of therapy, especially radiation, are often prescribed as part of the total treatment plan. The expected outcome is no recurrence of the breast cancer.

Abnormal results

An unforeseen outcome of lumpectomy may be recurrence of the breast cancer, either locally or distally (in a part of the body far from the original site). Recurrence may be discovered soon after lumpectomy or years after the procedure. For this reason, it is important for patients to be regularly and closely monitored by their physicians.

Resources

BOOKS

Love, Susan M., with Karen Lindsey. Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book, 3rd ed. Cambridge: Perseus Publishing, 2000.

Robinson, Rebecca Y. and Jeanne A. Petrek. A Step-by-Step Guide to Dealing With Your Breast Cancer. New York:Carol Publishing Group, 1999.

PERIODICALS

Winchester, David P., and James D. Cox. "Standards for Diagnosis and Management of Invasive Breast Carcinoma."CA-A Cancer Journal for Clinicians 48 (March/April 1998): 83-107.

ORGANIZATION

American Cancer Society. 1599 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA30329-4251. (800) 227-2345. <http://www.cancer.org>.

Information about surgeons and institutions participating inclinical trials of sentinel node biopsy is available at the NCI (National Cancer Institute) web site at <http://cancertrials.nci.nih.gov/types/breast/treatment/sentnode> or (800) 4-CANCER.

National Lymphedema Network. 2211 Post St., Suite 404, SanFrancisco, CA 94115-3427. (800) 541-3259 or (415) 921-1306. <http://www.wenet.net/~lymphnet>.

Ellen S. Weber, M.S.N.

Lymph node

—A small mass of tissue in the form of a knot or protuberance. They are the primary source of lymph fluid, which serves in the body's defense by removing toxic fluids and bacteria.