Mastectomy/Lumpectomy
You’re Not Alone — Choosing Lumpectomy or Mastectomy for Breast Cancer Treatment
Facing a breast cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. At Premier Surgical Network, we bring our expertise and compassion to guide you through your surgical treatment options, including lumpectomy and mastectomy.
Our expert surgeons have been recipients of multiple prestigious awards and honors
- Over 100 years of combined experience
- Recognized as Top Doctors by multiple outlets, including NJ Top Docs
- Board-certified surgeons
Guiding You Toward Breast Cancer Recovery
Navigating breast cancer doesn’t have to feel isolating. The team at Premier Surgical Network is here to serve as your beacon to recovery, providing advanced breast cancer surgery in a warm and welcoming environment. Our multidisciplinary approach ensures you get the comprehensive care you need for the most effective treatment.
We are passionate about delivering individualized guidance and emotional support during each step of your breast cancer journey, from diagnosis to remission. We are here for you when you need us, offering same-day and next-day appointments. Discover why patients entrust their care to the doctors at Premier Surgical Network — schedule your consultation today.
Considering a Lumpectomy or Mastectomy? Explore Your Breast Cancer Surgery Options
Our surgeons create a personalized breast cancer treatment plan for each patient, providing an empathetic ear along with our expertise to craft the best approach for your situation. We’re proud to offer the most cutting-edge procedures, such as the minimally invasive hidden scar approach and advanced breast reconstruction options, along with counseling for emotional guidance and support.
Lumpectomy or Partial Lumpectomy – With a lumpectomy, we remove only the diseased breast tissue and some surrounding healthy tissue. This breast-conserving surgery may be the best option if we detect your cancer early and your tumor is relatively small. Radiation after surgery is an integral part of breast-conserving surgery.
Mastectomy – A mastectomy removes the entire breast. A unilateral mastectomy removes one breast, and a double mastectomy removes both breasts. You might choose a mastectomy if your cancer is aggressive, for recurrent breast cancer, for certain types of cancer, or as a preventive measure if you are high-risk.
Hidden Scar Approach – Our highly trained surgeons are skilled in advanced breast surgery techniques, including the hidden scar approach for both lumpectomy and mastectomy. With this approach, your incision will be in a hard-to-see location so the scar is not visible once healed.
Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy – A nipple-sparing mastectomy preserves the nipple and areola while breast tissue is removed to improve cosmetic outcomes compared to a standard mastectomy. After surgery, the breast mound is reconstructed with the nipple and areola still in place for a more natural result.
Breast Reconstruction Surgery – We consider breast reconstruction an integral part of treating your cancer. Some patients can undergo reconstruction on the same day as breast cancer surgery while others require a waiting period. Each patient’s journey will be different, and we will discuss your options with you in detail.
Find Convenient Care With Locations Across New Jersey
Get Compassionate Care at Premier Surgical Network
The Premier Surgical Network is dedicated to offering compassionate and comprehensive treatment plans for our patients throughout New Jersey. Offering a multi-disciplinary approach, we take pride in delivering high-quality care in a warm and welcoming environment.
Anjeanette Brown, MD, FACS, Physician
Anjeanette Brown, MD, FACS is board-certified general surgeon, Certified by The American Board of Surgery, with a special interest in breast health. She is a member of the prestigious American College of Surgeons, Society of Surgical Oncology and The American Society of Breast Surgeons.
James Frost, MD, FACS, Physician
James Frost, MD, FACS is a board-certified general surgeon, Certified by The American Board of Surgery, with a special interest in treating patients with benign and malignant breast disease.
Desiree D’Angelo, DO, FACS, Physician
Desiree D’Angelo-Donovan, DO, FACS is a board-certified general surgeon, Certified by The American Board of Surgery, who also specializes in the care of breast cancer and breast-related diseases. She has obtained special certifications from The American Society of Breast Surgeons in ultrasound and stereotactic breast biopsies. In addition to breast surgery, Dr. D’Angelo also performs general surgery procedures. Dr. D’Angelo was designated as a 2021 Top Doctor by NJ Top Docs.
Ann Chuang, MD, Physician
Ann Chuang, MD, FACS is a fellowship-trained breast surgeon, Certified by The American Board of Surgery, with a special interest in breast health, benign breast disease and breast cancer.
Lisa Iucci, DO , Physician
Dr. Lisa Iucci is a general surgeon with special interest in treating breast diseases and skin cancer. She is board-certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery. She is a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons.
Adriana Suarez-Ligon, MD, Surgeon
Dr. Adriana Suarez-Ligon is a board-certified general surgeon, certified by The American Board of Surgery, and a fellowship-trained breast surgeon, trained at Emory University School of Medicine, a Surgical Oncology (SSO) accredited breast fellowship.
Camille Swain, DO, Physician
Dr. Camille Swain is a fellowship-trained general surgeon with specialized expertise in breast surgery. She is a member of The American Society of Breast Surgeons and The Society of Surgical Oncology. After graduating cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from Elon University, Dr. Swain pursued her medical education at Nova Southeastern University.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the signs of breast cancer?
There isn’t one specific sign of breast cancer. However, there are a constellation of findings that should warrant a trip to the breast physician. Such signs include, but are not limited, to changing lump, new/changing swelling or edema of the skin, an ulcerating skin wound, retraction (pulling in) of the skin, a change of breast shape, new nipple discharge, a new crusty appearance to the nipple/areola, a new lump in the armpit.
What lifestyle changes can I make to reduce my risk of breast cancer?
Family history and the chromosomes (genes) we receive from our parents are risk factors that we currently cannot change, though splicing and repairing pathologic genes may become available in the not-too-distant future.
Risks that the individual can control include:
- Fat cells in women produce extra estrogen hormone.
- How much is too much is still being debated. However, most experts agree that alcohol can increase breast cancer risk incrementally.
- Not only can smoking increase your risk of getting breast cancer, but smokers with breast cancer may do worse than non-smokers with breast cancer.
- Hormone therapy. Hormones, like estrogen, can increase risk of breast cancer. The risk is related to the length of time used and seems to decrease with time once the hormones are stopped.
Where will my lumpectomy or mastectomy be performed?
Minor breast surgery procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis, while more complex breast surgeries are typically scheduled at one of our affiliated hospitals.
What are the risks and side effects of a lumpectomy or mastectomy?
Both procedures carry slight risks for certain side effects such as infection and fluid buildup. Lumpectomy preserves more breast tissue but often needs radiation afterward, while mastectomy is more invasive but may not need radiation.
Risks and side effects can include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Fluid buildup (seroma)
- Changes in breast shape/size
- Numbness
- Arm swelling (lymphedema)
What is recovery like after a lumpectomy or mastectomy?
Lumpectomy is typically an outpatient surgery, with a recovery period of around 2-6 weeks. You should avoid strenuous activity for about 1-2 weeks afterward. You can manage pain and drainage with medication and a compression bra. You may have to undergo radiation therapy after your surgery.
With a mastectomy, you may have a hospital stay of 1-3 days. Recovery will take at least 4-6 weeks. Chest drains are often required to remove fluid buildup.