Why a Mastectomy may not work as well as just removing the lump By Judith Keeling Published: 02:29, 4 June 2024 | Updated: 02:29, 4 June 2024 e-mail View comments A mastectomy is often seen as the surest way to stop breast cancer recurring. But latest research suggests women live longer if just the tumour is removed rather than the whole breast. Survival rates were better among patients who had a lumpectomy — where only cancerous tissue is taken out — plus radiotherapy, than among those who had a mastectomy (full breast removal).
They also had a lower risk of complications. The findings, by UK scientists, could reduce the number of women having mastectomies on the NHS in favour of less aggressive treatment. A mastectomy is often seen as the surest way to stop breast cancer recurring and about 15,000 women every year in the UK undergo the operation Breast cancer is the UK's most common form of the disease, with more than 55,000 new cases a year About 15,000 women every year in the UK undergo the operation.
As well as a higher risk of complications (such as infection and scarring), the surgery can also have a serious effect on women's sex lives and mental health, even if they have a breast reconstruction. In addition, some evidence suggests the cancer can sometimes return. Post-mastectomy, this is usually in the lungs, liver, bones or brain.
One theory is that this is because the major surgery has a significant impact on the body, suppressing the immune system and allowing .
