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Q: If a lumpectomy is being performed and tests of lymph nodes show cancer has spread,would they procced with masectomy? Would patient be advised of this before lumpectomy?
This is how breast cancer surgery used to be approached, Ann - a surgeon would unilaterally decide to perform a mastectomy if, during lumpectomy procedure, s/he found that the tumor was larger than expected, or there was another reason a mastectomy might be preferable. But we've generally moved away from that practice these days. Unless the patient is informed ahead of time, and agrees that the surgeon can make the call to switch to a mastectomy if necessary, then this wouldn't happen. Did this happen to you? PJH
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