Decision on lumpectomy or mastectomy

rascal58

Right now I am so confused.Operation hopefully 11/27/06
Surgeon suggests mastectomy, Oncologist suggests lumpectomy.I was afraid of the radiation as my brother had a terrible time with it.Either way I was told I would more than likely have radiation.They are also removing lymph nodes.Any hopeful and helpful suggestions.I am so scared right now.I know it has to be my decision but need support.

Ontario

I wish I know more info. A lot of the decision depends on the stage and grade of your tumor as well as how aggressive you want to be. I was Stage2 Grade2 and opted for lumpectomy ( also had 27 lymph nodes removed) all negative,followed by Chemo and radiation. The Chemo was far worse than the radiation. Everyone reacts differently to treatment so you can't base your decisions on someone elses reaction to a treatment. I know myself, my brother got horrible mouth sores and vomiting from his chemo, I had neither. You decision will also impact on the followup treatment you will require. Since I tend to be more confident in an oncologists advice (they are experts in this field afterall) I would be leaning towards a lumpectomy at this point and then once all pathology reports are back you can work in conjunction with him on a treatment plan. I know its a scary prospect and only you can decide but remember we are here if you need to get things off your chest, ask questions or just kick and scream about how unfair all of this is. My only other suggestion is to educate yourself as much as you can so that you know the questions to ask and are making an informed decision. There are many great sites out there to get this info from. this one being one ofthe best. Good luck and hang in there. It DOES get better.

jz20022001

A lumpectomy has a much quicker recovery time. I'd also be leaning towards the oncologist's recommendation. That's their specialty. I had my lumpectomy on a Friday and was back at work the following Monday.

Catherine

Sierra

Hello there:

I was ..offered..

lumpectomy or masectomy
3.5 tumour
grade 3, l4 nodes removed
one positive
and chose lumpectomy
personal reasons..
did 4 ac 4 taxol. rads. .5 weeks
i believe..

it is up to you
I just was not ready to do the
masectomy.. if I HAD A CHOICE
AND my surgeon was ok with that
provided margins were good
and they were..

Today, I am at 6 3.4 years
and feel very blessed
I prayed a great deal

PS.. I am likely a good deal
older than you
write PM if you wish

and I wish you the very best
on your own path

You will be fine
once you get going

I understand what you are going
through .. it is a tough decision
and I send out lots of vibes
positive to help in making this

If you try to quiet yourself
(a tall order I know)
but it is your choice
you will find the answer
what is best for you

I had an excellent surgeon
one of the best, another blessing


Hugs

Beesie

How big is the tumour relative to the size of your breast, and how aggressive is the tumour? And have you had an MRI? The MRI really helped me with my decision, since it showed abnormalities throughout my breast. That made a mastectomy an easier decision. On the other hand, it showed that my other breast was completely clear, which helped me decide on a single mastectomy instead of a bilateral.

Beverley

Everyone has their own opinion on this one, and ultimately it is a decision only you and your medical team can make. I think a little differently than some of you in that the first thing I wanted to do was a bilateral mastectomy. They refused to do this as, at the time, they did not think it was necessary - major surgery vs. back at work two days later with a lumpectomy. Maybe I was right in the first place. I am two years out from diagnosis, and my last mamo 3 weeks ago showed a change in the scar tissue. Tuesday of next week I have to go in for a wedge excision biopsy to rule out local recurrence. Not fun going through this again. I realize you can have a local recurrence in mastectomy scar tissue as well - I am just really frustrated at the moment. The ladies who posted before me are right. Educate yourself and make an informed decision -these boards are absolutely the best for every kind of info you require. Good Luck and know you will do just fine.

Take care

Bev

lrs

wheat101, I am sorry you are going through this emotional roller coaster. I was in your shoes in Aug. My surgeon did a few extra steps to help me decide. Becuase I am under 50 he sent me for an MRI to see if they could see anything else in my right breast or anything new in my left. At that time we new the tumour was 3.5cm and the cancer was IDC, after the MRI was completed he told me that they could not see anything conclusive. He had explained to me that if I chose lumpectomy my recover would be sooner, and if they found anything in the lymph nodes or the clean margins, I would probably require another operation (masectamy) BUT he did say that I could have all treatments first and then we would revisit that option.
All test came back as negative nothing in the clean margins and nothing in the lymph nodes removed.
He also told me that my chances for re-ocurance in the same breast would be the same after treament and radiation if I took the lumpectamy or masectamy. My oncologist agreed. The final decision is yours and you have to be comfortable with your decision. I would talk again to the oncologist and ask why she/he believe that a lumpectamy is a good choice for you. Explain why you are asking and get the informtion you need to make the decision that is right for you.

God Bless,
LRS

Sierra

For Beverley:

I was just on here this AM
and very sorry to read you require
more .. surgery.

Sending out the best for you.

Special thoughts..

LRS: It is good news, that it was not in the nodes for you.


Hugs

(not on all the time here)

Peace, Love & Harmony to all
for the Season at this thread

viviant

I would follow the advice of your oncologist. I am a 17 year breast cancer survivor. had modified radical and chemo now found a .5 mll tumor. I will ask my oncologist but probaby will chose a lumpectamy.Good luck.