Are there options to breast lump removal?

Breast lump removal is done to remove lumps such as a fibroadenoma or intraductal papilloma, which are known as simple breast lumps.

You will meet the surgeon carrying out your procedure to discuss your care.

It may differ from what is described here as it will be designed to meet your individual needs. Details of the procedure may also vary from country to country.

About breast lump removal

Breast lumps are common and most are not cancerous (known as benign breast lumps).

Breast lump removal may be recommended if you have one of the following types of benign breast lump.

• Fibroademona – this is when your breast tissue becomes thickened.
• Intraductal papilloma – this is a wart-like lump that develops in a duct just behind your nipple.

Your surgeon may refer to these kinds of lump as simple breast lumps. He or she will be able to advise you about whether you will need to have your lump surgically removed.

What are the alternatives to breast lump removal?

If you have been diagnosed with a benign breast lump, your surgeon may suggest an alternative, such as vacuum-assisted core biopsy (VACB) to remove the lump.

If you have been diagnosed with a cancerous breast lump, your treatment will be different.

Depending on the size and position of your breast lump, your surgeon may suggest either a lumpectomy or a mastectomy.

Preparing for breast lump removal

Your surgeon will explain how to prepare for your operation.

For example, if you smoke you may be asked to stop as smoking increases your risk of getting a chest or wound infection, which can slow your recovery.

Breast lump removal is usually done under general anaesthesia, so you will be asleep during the operation.

You will be asked to follow fasting instructions, which means not eating or drinking, typically for about six hours beforehand. However, it's important to follow your surgeon's advice.

You may be recommended to bring in a soft, supportive bra to wear after surgery. Your surgeon or nurse will advise you about the most suitable type of bra.

You may be asked to wear compression stockings to help prevent blood clots forming in the veins in your legs.

You may need to have an injection of an anticlotting medicine called heparin as well as, or instead of, wearing compression stockings.

Your nurse may also check your heart rate and blood pressure, and test your urine.

Your surgeon will discuss with you what will happen before, during and after your procedure, and any pain you might have.

This is your opportunity to understand what will happen, and you can help yourself by preparing questions to ask about the risks, benefits and any alternatives to the procedure.

This will help you to be informed, so you can give your consent for the procedure to go ahead, which you may be asked to do by signing a consent form.

What happens during breast lump removal?

The operation generally takes between 15 minutes and one hour depending on the technique used. Your surgeon will make a small cut in your skin, over or near to the lump. He will then cut the lump away.

Often this doesn’t require any other breast tissue to be removed but occasionally a small bit of normal tissue needs to be taken out as well. Your surgeon will advise you about this prior to your operation.

Your surgeon will close the cut with fine stitches and sometimes put tissue glue and/or a small dressing over the wound. The lump is sent to a laboratory for testing.

What to expect afterwards

You may need to rest until the effects of the anaesthetic have passed. You may need pain relief to help with any discomfort as the anaesthetic wears off.

If you are going home on the same day as your operation, you will need to arrange for someone to drive you home. Try to have a friend or relative stay with you for the first 24 hours after your operation.

General anaesthesia temporarily affects your co-ordination and reasoning skills, so you must not drive, drink alcohol, operate machinery or sign legal documents for 24 hours afterwards.

If you're in any doubt about driving, contact your motor insurer so that you're aware of their recommendations, and always follow your surgeon’s advice.

The length of time your dissolvable stitches will take to disappear depends on what type you have. However, for this procedure, they should usually disappear in about seven to 10 days.

Your nurse will give you some advice about caring for your healing wounds before you go home. You may be given a date for a follow-up appointment.

Recovering from a breast lump removal

It usually takes about one to two days to make a full recovery from a simple breast lump removal but this varies between individuals, so it's important to follow your surgeon's advice.

Most people are comfortable to go back to work after one to two days but you may wish to avoid contact sports for some weeks.

Don't drive until you feel confident that you could perform an emergency stop without discomfort. If you're in any doubt about driving, contact your motor insurer so that you're aware of their recommendations, and always follow your surgeon’s advice.

If you need pain relief, you can take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen. Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine.

What are the risks?

As with every procedure, there are some risks associated with breast lump removal.

We have not included the chance of these happening as they are specific to you and differ for every person.

Ask your surgeon to explain how these risks apply to you.

Side-effects

Side-effects are the unwanted but mostly temporary effects you may get after having the procedure. For example, you may have:

• bruising and some swelling – this should improve as your wound heals
• scarring – you will have a scar but this should gradually fade

Complications

Complications are problems that occur during or after the operation.

The possible complications of any operation include an unexpected reaction to the anaesthetic, excessive bleeding, or developing a blood clot, usually in a vein in your leg (deep vein thrombosis, DVT).

Specific complications of breast lump removal include:

• a wound infection
• an unevenness in the size and shape of your breast
• a temporary build up of fluid under your wound (called a seroma)

Speak to your surgeon for further information.