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Can you have a lumpectomy twice in the same breast?

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
Azusa, CA
July 6
 · 
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A MyBCTeam Member

I had a second lumpectomy last Friday, July 10th (reexcision surgery) because I didn’t get clear margins from my first lumpectomy. I just got my pathology results today from my second lumpectomy and there is still an area that does not have clear margins, so my surgeon is recommending a mastectomy because he said my breast will be altered too much by a third lumpectomy and I worry that clear margins will still not be achieved. For reference, I had a IDC tumor and DCIS tumor removed, but DCIS keeps showing up on the margins, so it’s more extensive than expected.

July 16
MyBCTeam

Yes, it is possible to have a second lumpectomy in the same breast. If the first surgery doesn't remove all the cancer with clear margins, a surgeon may go back in to remove more tissue — this is sometimes called a re-excision.

However, there are some important things to know
- About 20% of people need additional surgery Show Full Answer

Yes, it is possible to have a second lumpectomy in the same breast. If the first surgery doesn't remove all the cancer with clear margins, a surgeon may go back in to remove more tissue — this is sometimes called a re-excision.

However, there are some important things to know:
- About 20% of people need additional surgery after a lumpectomy
- A second lumpectomy is only an option if enough healthy breast tissue remains
- If clear margins still can't be achieved, a mastectomy may be recommended instead There's also another key consideration — radiation therapy. If radiation was already given to the same breast after the first lumpectomy, having a second lumpectomy followed by more radiation to the same area may not be safe or recommended.

This is a very personal and medical decision, so it's worth having a detailed conversation with the surgical team about what's right for the specific situation.

July 6

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