Surgical Oncology for Breast Cancer

Surgery is a common treatment for breast cancer and other benign (noncancerous) breast tumors. At UPMC, our dedicated breast surgeons use highly specialized technology and minimally invasive techniques to remove all types of breast tumors.

Surgical Treatment Options for Breast Cancer

The goals of breast cancer surgery are to remove as much of the tumor as possible, determine whether the cancer has spread, and restore the shape of your breast after surgical treatment.

Surgical treatment options include:

Breast cancer surgical procedures

If you are diagnosed with breast cancer or another type of benign breast tumor, your doctor may recommend:

• Lumpectomy — Also known as breast-conserving surgery or partial mastectomy, lumpectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the part of your breast with a cancerous tumor and some healthy surrounding tissue.
• Mastectomy — A surgical procedure to remove the entire breast. When both breasts are removed, it is known as a double mastectomy.

Lymph node surgical procedures

Your doctor may recommend surgery to remove and test your lymph nodes to determine whether your breast cancer has spread.

Lymph node procedures include:

• Axillary lymph node dissection — Surgery to remove all or a group of lymph nodes in the axilla (armpit), if your sentinel lymph node biopsy is positive for cancer.
• Sentinel lymph node biopsy — A minimally invasive procedure to remove the sentinel (main) lymph node in the axilla (armpit) to test it for cancer. It is performed to determine if cancer has spread to your lymph nodes.

Tumor localization surgical procedures

If your breast tumor can’t be seen or felt, your doctor may recommend a tumor localization procedure before surgery. Tumor localization procedures involve placing a small marker at your tumor site to help your surgeon find and remove the suspicious area during your surgical procedure.

Tumor localization procedures include:

• Needle localization — Also known as fine wire localization, needle localization uses a small needle to place a thin wire marking the location of a suspicious mass in your breast. A breast radiologist or surgeon performs the wire localization procedure using ultrasound, MRI, or mammography imaging guidance to precisely locate the suspicious area of tissue before a biopsy or surgical procedure to remove it.
• Radioactive seed localization — A radioactive seed about the size of a grain of rice is placed in the center of your tumor a few days before your lumpectomy surgery. During your lumpectomy procedure, your surgeon will use a special tool to locate the seed so they can precisely remove your tumor.

Breast biopsy procedures

Your doctor may recommend a biopsy if your mammogram or another breast imaging test identifies a suspicious tissue area.

During a biopsy, a breast radiologist or surgeon will remove a small sample of suspicious tissue and send it to the lab to be tested for cancer.

Breast biopsy procedures include:

• Breast calcification biopsy — Collects tissue samples of suspicious breast calcifications.
• Excisional breast biopsy — Also called a lumpectomy, surgical breast biopsy, or open breast biopsy, this procedure involves removing a suspicious area of breast tissue to check for cancer. Your surgeon may also remove an area of normal tissue around the mass, called a margin.
• MRI-guided breast biopsy — Uses MRI imaging technology to accurately identify suspicious areas of breast tissue for removal using a hollow needle.
• Stereotactic breast biopsy — Uses mammography imaging technology to precisely locate suspicious areas of breast tissue for removal using a hollow needle.
• Ultrasound-guided breast biopsy — Uses ultrasound imaging technology to precisely locate suspicious areas of breast tissue for removal using a hollow needle.

Breast reconstruction

Breast reconstruction restores the appearance of your breast after surgery. Our breast reconstruction experts work with you and your breast surgeon before treatment begins to develop a breast reconstruction plan.

Your breast reconstruction plan may include immediate reconstruction procedures performed at the same time as your breast cancer surgery or delayed reconstruction performed later.

Breast reconstruction options may include:

• Breast reconstruction using implants — Uses saline or silicone gel implants to restore breast shape and size.
• Breast reconstruction using tissue from your body (flap procedures) — Uses tissue from your abdomen, back, thighs, or buttocks to rebuild your breast.
• Nipple and areola reconstruction — Uses various techniques such as tattooing or tissue reconstruction to match the new nipple to your natural one.
• Oncoplastic surgery — Combines cancer and plastic surgery techniques to reshape your breast after a lumpectomy. This can often be performed at the same time as your breast cancer surgery.

Why Choose UPMC for Breast Cancer Surgery?

When you choose UPMC for breast cancer surgery, you will receive:

• A full range of breast surgery options — Your care team will recommend the appropriate surgical procedure for your type of breast cancer while considering your lifestyle, preferences, and reconstruction goals.
• Collaborative, multidisciplinary care — Your breast cancer care team will work closely with our plastic and reconstructive breast surgeons to provide the best cancer treatment and cosmetic results.
• Supportive services — Your team will encourage you to play an active role in your breast cancer treatment plan and provide the support you need to manage your treatment and recovery.

By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-09-18.