Mayo Clinic Minute: Why some patients with breast tumors could possibly avoid a mastectomy

Dr. Judy Boughey knows that choices are important for her cancer patients.

Historically, patients with two or more tumors in one breast had to undergo a mastectomy. But that protocol could soon be a thing of the past thanks to advances in breast cancer management.

Patients now have another option to consider when it comes to their treatment plan. Surgeons can remove several sites of diseased tissue by performing breast-conserving lumpectomies instead of removing the entire breast with a mastectomy.

Dr. Boughey says the biggest advantage is that patients get to keep their breast.
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