Reoccurance in other breast after 4 years

cp418

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNbIfbMIM94&feature=related

Aromatase Inhibitors & Breast Cancer Therapy - Milestones in Oncology

ptdreamers

cp418, Thanks for the link. It was very interesting. Too bad that we will have to wait to know the outcome and hope for best meantime.

harley1959

New to site - survior 4 years - now they are looking at a lump in other breast - see surgeon Thursday - wondering if I should just remove them both and reconstruct - and at 52 it's a hard choice - the first battle was tough but not so bad - really in a confused state - one half of me says - just get rid of them - but does that really take the worry / stress away every time I go for an exam??  and what about the reconstruct - haven't even started dealing with this new issue and I am tired - where do I find the informtion about options with reconstructing

bdavis

Harley.. I had a BMX and there will not be any more tests, biopsies in my future.. so in my opinion, it will help with the stress...

Regarding reconstruction, when I decided to have the BMX, I did a lot of research.. you have a few choices:

• implants (Silicone or saline or gummys)
• Flap (lat, DIEP, GAP, TUG)
• Fat grafting
• No recon

• With Implants, you can either have immediate recon (one step) although the results will not be as good, but its the quickest recon
• With Tissue Expanders and Implants, they put an expander under the muscle at the time of MX, and then over the course of a few month, add volume to the TE until the size is right and you have the exchange surgery where they put in the implant
• Flap surgeries use your own fat (Lat is taken from the back (along with some muscle), DIEP is lower tummy and no muscle, GAP is buttocks and no muscle, and TUG is inner thigh, no muscle). It requires one major surgery and one minor surgery 3 months + later.
• Fat grafting is controversial... and would take many grafts to get a good sized breast. Most doctors will use fat grafting to add to the other types of procedures.

There are pros and cons to all recon, you just need to decide which is best for you. I had the DIEP and GAP flaps... my own tissue, not replacements every 10 years... was the right choice for me.

harley1959

Thanks so much Bdavis - you've given me information I can research as far as the reconstruction - have a good day  - again thank you for the reply