Breast cancer begins in the breast and spreads first to the
lymph nodes of the armpit (axilla). When a breast lump is found
to contain cancer, and if the cancer has not spread beyond the
nodes of the axilla to distant sites, it is often removed
surgically. Radiation therapy may be used in addition to
surgery. In certain cases of malignant lumps, lumpectomy
followed by radiation therapy is as effective as a radical
mastectomy. Typically, lumpectomy does not require a breast
replacement (prosthesis). Review Date: 01/28/2011 Reviewed By:
Debra G. Wechter, MD, FACS, General Surgery practice
specializing in breast cancer, Virginia Mason Medical Center,
Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA,
Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.