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What To Expect From a Lumpectomy: Recovery Time and More

Medically reviewed by Maybell Nieves, M.D.
Written by Emily Wagner, M.S.
Updated on August 13, 2025

Key Takeaways

  • A lumpectomy is a breast-conserving surgery that removes a tumor and small amount of surrounding tissue while preserving most of the breast.
  • Recovery from lumpectomy typically takes about two weeks, and studies suggest this procedure combined with radiation may offer better survival rates than mastectomy for early-stage breast cancer patients.
  • Talk with your cancer care team about whether you're a good candidate for lumpectomy, as factors like tumor size, breast size, and previous radiation treatment can affect eligibility.
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When weighing surgery options for treating breast cancer, you may consider a lumpectomy — also called a partial mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery. This procedure removes the tumor along with a small amount of healthy tissue surrounding it. Lumpectomy is most commonly performed for early-stage breast cancer or when the tumor has been reduced in size with chemotherapy before surgery. On MyBCTeam, more than 11,000 people living with breast cancer have reported having a lumpectomy.

One benefit of lumpectomy compared to mastectomy is a generally shorter recovery time. Many people recover from lumpectomy within about two weeks, while stiffness, soreness, and tenderness can last for months after mastectomy.

Earlier studies found that both lumpectomy (with radiation) and mastectomy provided similar overall long-term breast cancer survival rates. However, a more recent large-scale study in BJOS Open suggests that for women with early-stage breast cancer, lumpectomy followed by radiation may be linked with slightly higher survival rates compared with mastectomy. Because this research looked at data from observational studies rather than new randomized clinical trials, the authors noted the certainty of the evidence was very low. More research is needed.

The choice between lumpectomy and mastectomy is best made as a shared decision between you and your cancer care team.

Why Choose a Lumpectomy?

A lumpectomy is also known as breast-conserving surgery because most of the breast tissue will be left intact. Some people prefer this to having their entire breast removed. In most cases, lumpectomy is followed by radiation therapy to treat any remaining breast tissue and lower the risk of the cancer returning.

Not everyone is a candidate for this surgery. A lumpectomy followed by radiation may be the right breast cancer treatment choice for those who:

  • Want to keep as much breast tissue as they can
  • Have a favorable breast-to-tumor ratio (meaning the tumor is small compared with the overall size of the breast)
  • Have one small tumor revealed by breast imaging (such as a mammogram or breast sonogram)
  • Prefer to avoid more extensive surgery for a mastectomy and breast reconstruction
  • Are able to safely receive radiation treatment

You might not be an ideal candidate for a lumpectomy if you’ve previously had radiation therapy to the same breast or chest for another diagnosis, or if you’re pregnant.

In addition, lumpectomy may not be recommended for people who have:

  • Inflammatory breast cancer, which typically requires a mastectomy
  • A large tumor in a small breast
  • Cancer that has spread throughout the breast
  • Certain connective tissue diseases, such as lupus or scleroderma

Lumpectomies are typically recommended for people with early-stage cancer that hasn’t spread throughout the breast. Some people who qualify for a lumpectomy opt for a mastectomy instead for more peace of mind.

However, large-scale studies that compared overall survival for people with breast cancer who received either mastectomy or lumpectomy followed by radiation found that lumpectomy with radiation may offer better odds for survival.

Also, according to Breastcancer.org, some research shows that lumpectomies may be associated with improved quality of life and sexual well-being compared with mastectomies.

Timing of Lumpectomy

Treatment plans vary depending on the stage of a person’s breast cancer. For stage 1 or stage 2A breast cancer, surgery is usually the main treatment. Lumpectomies are more often performed along with a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) to check if the cancer has spread. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped glands that help the body fight infection, and the sentinel lymph nodes are typically the first ones that cancer cells may reach.

Some people aged 65 and older who have a lumpectomy may be able to skip radiation therapy if:

  • The tumor is no larger than 3 centimeters (just over an inch) and has been completely removed.
  • The cancer is estrogen receptor-positive and/or progesterone receptor-positive, so hormone therapy can be given.
  • The lymph nodes are free of cancer.

Stage 2B breast cancer is also treated with surgery. Sometimes, people with this stage of cancer first receive systemic (whole-body) treatments, such as hormone therapy or chemotherapy. These treatments, called neoadjuvant therapy, help shrink tumors before surgery, improving the chances of successful removal. After a lumpectomy, radiation therapy is typically recommended. If additional chemotherapy is needed, radiation is given after that treatment is finished.

For stage 3 breast cancer, oncologists usually recommend neoadjuvant chemotherapy first to shrink the tumor. If the tumor becomes small enough, a lumpectomy may be possible. If not, a mastectomy is preferred, and you will receive radiation therapy in both the chest wall and the armpit.

For some individuals, surgery may be a first-line treatment option. A lumpectomy may be considered if you have relatively large breasts and the tumor has not spread to nearby lymph nodes. After surgery, you will likely receive another treatment — such as hormone therapy or chemotherapy — to lower the risk of the cancer coming back.

What To Expect in a Lumpectomy Procedure

Depending on your specific breast cancer diagnosis, a lumpectomy may be done as either an outpatient procedure — meaning you can go home the same day — or an inpatient procedure, which requires a short hospital stay. Most lumpectomies are outpatient and take about 60 to 90 minutes. If lymph node removal is performed at the same time, expect the surgery to take longer.

Before Surgery

If the tumor can’t be easily felt during a physical exam, a radiologist will use imaging tests to locate it. The area is numbed with a local anesthetic.

The radiologist then places a thin wire, a small metal marker, or a tiny radioactive seed into the tumor area to help the surgeon locate it during the operation.

If you are also having an SLNB, blue dye or a harmless radioactive substance will be injected under the skin near the tumor to identify the sentinel lymph nodes. These lymph nodes are then checked to see if the cancer has spread.

During Surgery

The surgeon makes an incision along the curve of the breast, the edge of the areola, or under the fold of the breast to help make the scar less visible. The tumor is removed along with a small amount of surrounding healthy tissue, called the margin, to lower the chance of leaving cancer cells behind.

During the procedure, the surgeon will also place clips where the tumor was located. The clips act as a target for radiation therapy later on. If you’re having an SLNB, the surgeon will also remove one to five lymph nodes from under your armpit. If necessary, a drain — a plastic tube connected to a suction bulb — may be placed temporarily to remove fluid from the surgical area.

The incisions are then closed with stitches. All tissue samples are sent to the lab for a pathology report, which will confirm whether cancer cells are present at the margins or in the lymph nodes.

How Painful Is a Lumpectomy?

Lumpectomy surgery itself isn’t painful because you’ll receive either local or general anesthesia beforehand. Most people receive general anesthesia, which puts you to sleep. Local anesthesia numbs only the tumor site and surrounding tissue. If you get local anesthesia, you’ll also get moderate sedation.

Some discomfort is normal during recovery. You might feel tenderness or brief, shooting pains in the breast, chest, or arm as nerves heal. For most people, this improves within a few weeks of surgery. One MyBCTeam member shared, “After my lumpectomy, I’d get short sharp pains in my breast. My doctor said it could be scar tissue along with nerves trying to reconnect.”

What Is the Average Recovery Time for a Lumpectomy?

After a lumpectomy, it may take a few days for you to feel better. Most people are back to their normal activities after two weeks. Some may take longer depending on the extent of surgery, whether lymph nodes were removed, and individual healing.

To help your recovery go smoothly, follow all instructions from your cancer care team — including on taking your medications, avoiding alcohol, and not smoking before surgery. Your healthcare provider may also recommend wearing a supportive sports bra or breast binder to reduce swelling and provide comfort.

One MyBCTeam member shared, “Three days after lumpectomy surgery, I finally slept last night, so I’m feeling a little better today.”

Another shared their experience with recovery, saying, “I’ve had three lumpectomies, and it wasn’t too bad. Recovery was like a day or so. I was able to do everything I normally do after three days.”

Pain and Swelling Management

The main goals of lumpectomy recovery are to keep pain under control and care for your surgical drain if you have one. Pain can be managed with prescription medications from your care team or with over-the-counter medicines, as recommended by your doctor.

Applying ice packs in short intervals can also help reduce pain and swelling. One MyBCTeam member said, “Ice packs will help. I keep the reusable ones in the freezer. It’s a flat gel pack. I also bought a heart pillow. … You put your arm through it, your surgery side. It will help.”

It’s common to have swelling and bruising around the surgical site, which may make wearing a bra uncomfortable at first. Members have found different ways to stay comfortable while healing. One member shared, “I was told to wear a sports bra. You may have to get a bigger size because of swelling. I bought a Jockey ladies’ sports bra.”

Yellowish bruising and mild swelling on a breast following a lumpectomy, with surgical changes visible on light skin. The other breast appears unaffected.
There may be bruising and swelling after a lumpectomy. These symptoms can be managed with short-interval ice packs and wearing a supportive sports bra for comfort. (Medical Images)

Drain Care

Caring for a surgical drain is an important part of healing. If you go home with a drain in place, you will need to empty the bulb two or three times a day and record how much fluid is collected each time.

A drain is often removed at the first follow-up visit — usually within eight to 12 days — but timing depends on the amount of drainage. Most surgeons remove the drain when the output is less than 25 milliliters in a 24-hour period.

Any stitches, whether they will dissolve or need to be removed, should be monitored to make sure they are healing properly. Call your doctor if you notice signs of infection after lumpectomy, like discoloration, swelling, or oozing.

Risks of Lumpectomy

As with any surgery, a lumpectomy comes with potential side effects and risks. These may include:

  • Dimpling, scars, and other changes in the breast skin and tissue
  • Cellulitis (skin infection)
  • Seroma (a buildup of fluid in the area where the tumor was removed)
  • Lymphedema (buildup of lymph fluid) if multiple or all lymph nodes are removed
  • Nerve pain that may last for a few weeks or months after surgery
  • Numbness or loss of sensation where the tumor was removed
  • Bleeding at the surgical site

Talk to your cancer care team if you have concerns about lumpectomy risks or possible complications. They can explain the risks specific to your situation and how they can be managed.

What Happens After Lumpectomy?

Depending on the status of your cancer and your preferences, you might need further treatment after lumpectomy surgery.

Additional Cancer Treatments After a Lumpectomy

Most people have radiation therapy after lumpectomy to destroy any remaining cancer cells and lower the risk of the cancer coming back. The decision to have radiation and the type used will be made by you and your radiation oncologist.

Chemotherapy might also be recommended after lumpectomy to kill any remaining cancer cells that were left behind (even if they cannot be seen with imaging tests). Depending on any genetic mutations (changes) found in your tumor, you may also be offered targeted therapy or hormone therapy to further reduce the chance of recurrence (cancer returning).

Reconstruction: What Will the Breast Look Like After Lumpectomy?

Some people also consider breast reconstruction surgery after a lumpectomy to restore shape and symmetry. You might notice changes in appearance, such as a dent in the breast after lumpectomy or breast dimpling, which reconstruction can help fix.

The decision to have reconstruction surgery is completely up to you. If you are interested, talk with a plastic surgeon who specializes in breast reconstruction to learn about your options, timing, and expected results.

Find Your Team

On MyBCTeam, the social network for people with breast cancer and their loved ones, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with breast cancer.

Have you had a lumpectomy? What was it like, and what advice would you give to others who need the same procedure? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.

A MyBCTeam Member

On 3/11 I had a lumpectomy with two lymph nodes, biopsied and felt ready to go to work a couple of days later! My Dr told me to put a bottle of water in the freezer and to use that under my arm to… read more