Diagnosis of ILC complicated by previous breast reduction

snoozy

I have just had a lumpectomy for ILC and am booked in for radiotherapy.  However, the side effects for this really frighten me.  I am considering a mastectomy, followed by tamoxifen because mammograms and ultrasounds over the years have always been difficult to diagnose due to a breast reduction about 12 years ago. I wonder if there is anyone in a similar position to mine who would be able to share her experiences.

Kleenex

I can't speak to issues regarding difficult with scans due to prior reduction surgery, but as far as radiation is concerned, it wasn't that bad. I had a lumpectomy and the follow-up hasn't been bad, either. But you have to do what will work best for you. Some women really have major stress dealing with follow-up scans, and in that case going for more surgery to try to skip that is a choice that appeals to them.

JannaC

snoozy, I understand what you are going through.  When I had my lumpectomy I had breast reduction surgery done at the same time, not realizing that it would be harder to detect BC areas in the future.  Even with a breast reduction I still had to go in for a rexcision for clear margins.  I've had a mamogram and MRI since then.  They saw "muddy" area but felt it was benign and caused by the reduction scar tissue.  I did well during radiation, except the last week I was pretty burnt.  I've been on femara for a year now and am tolerating the SE's very well.  Don't wory about radiation, you'll be fine.

JennyB100104

I've had a breast reduction and ILC...my onc will be scheduling me for yearly MRIs...I feel that rotating those with mammos will make any new tumors obvious. I mean, my first tumor was obvious on mammo once they got the picture at the correct angle.

I was all for a mastectomy at first, but my onco is 100% positive that it won't do me any good, even considering the breast reduction. I just don't know.