TriangleFOR PATIENTS · SOURCE READING
Are you facing a decision about lumpectomy vs. mastectomy?
Source: Choosing Between a Lumpectomy and Mastectomy, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: December 2, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary. Independent clinical review is pending.
NCI patient treatment article for this disease Exact source article; not a clinically reviewed indication or current-standard recommendation.
Context: Choosing Between a Lumpectomy and Mastectomy
Are you facing a decision about lumpectomy vs. mastectomy?
Do you have ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or breast cancer that can be removed with surgery? If so, you may be able to choose which type of breast surgery you have. Often, your choice is between a lumpectomy or other breast-conserving surgery (surgery that takes out the cancer and leaves most of the breast) and a mastectomy (surgery that removes the whole breast).
Source links and citations
Learn more about these surgeries at Breast Cancer Surgery.
Source links and citations
Once you are diagnosed, treatment will usually not begin right away. Use the time to:
talk with your doctor
get a second opinion
check with your insurance company
learn the facts about your surgery choices
think about what is important to you
Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice