Anyone do a lumpectomy then do bil mx?

in_cognito

I was diagnosed 4/30 - I am still doing the bil mx vs. lumpectomy debate in my head.  I would like to get the tumor out and get started with treatment asap though.  I was wondering if anyone did a lumpectomy first, then went through treatment and did the bil mx afterwards?  I would still like to take more time to think about things, but do not want to take forever as well.  I had the BRCA test done - results probably won't be back for a few more weeks.  I feel like I can make a better decision about things once I know what I am dealing with - but a lot of that doesn't happen until the final pathology comes back. 

Thanks for any insight!

baywatcher

My advise is to do the lumpectomy. You have grade 1 so I wouldn't jump too fast into a bilateral. The mastectomy is forever. Good luck.

Lilah

I did lumpectomy first (with re-excision), then chemo, then did a unilateral MX because after the two lumpectomies I still had one margin that was close.  I was advised that since I had IDC and the cancer was like "grains of sand" I might risk not getting it all.  I struggled with the choice (which was between one more lumpectomy or the MX) and ultimately chose the MX because my BS felt strongly that I ran a high risk of recurrence.  It's very specific to each individual and only you can decide.  Although there was no cancer left in the breast they removed, I am not sorry I did it. I have peace of mind about that breast and I would have faced significant plastic surgery anyway (due to what would have been three excisions).  I did not choose a bilateral because my BS, my PS and my ONC all said it was unnecessary, which was good enough for me.  Hard as the decision was to have the MX, I do not regret it.