Lumpectomy

Maureen813

Had a lumpectomy because originally thought the tumor was small.  I have a girlfriend who keeps calling me telling me the cancer will come back because I had the lumpectomy and I need a mastectomy.  She's telling me this because she doesn't want me to get mets, etc, etc, with all the horror stories of friends.  Quite frankly she's scaring the h3&& out of me.  My question:  Are there any women out there who had lump that it didn't come back even though it's in the nodes???

bevin

HI Maureen,

I can understand your uneasiness.  I know several very good friends who had a lumpectomy with node involvement. The NCCN guidlines show that lumpectomy plus chemo (since nodes) and radiation and tamoxifen or arimidex have the same rate of effectiveness as mastectomy.  It sounds like your friend loves you a ton and is worried for you.  My surgeon said, you can always take out more but if you are unsure what you want to do, start w lumpectomy.  If you're a constant worrier, maybe mastectomy is better for you. 

I did have a lumpectomy, no node involvement though. I assume your BS was able to get clear margins? The chemo, which I assume you likely had should also kill any lingering cancer cells.

If you're uncertain, talk to your BC or Onco. I know they would rather you call and ask questions. Mine always says, let me do the worrying. Call me if you have questions. I do not want you to worry.

I'll send you a PM too.

Bevin 

kindone

Maureen, I sent you a PM also  Betty

diana50

i had small tumor 1.8 cm so i had lumpectomy but also had 10/12 fully encased nodes. will hit 9 years end of feb. still NED  the most important part of the surgery is that they got "clean margins" which you can ask your surgeon about. 

Maureen813

Thanks Ladies.  Bevin, the bs did get clear margins and MRI showed no other areas of concern hence the reason for my choice.   Not sure how I feel about lump vs. mast. but seem to hear a lot about reoccurance with lump. Her point was , it won't be caught in time, I don't get that, the plan is to follow closely but will definitely talk to bs/onc about this.

Maureen

ruthbru

Whether or not a person would end up with (heaven forbid) mets has NOTHING to do with whether or not you have a masectomy or a lumpectomy (with rads), your chances are the same either way. If some cells have already escaped to somewhere else in the body, they have done so before you ever have had any surgery (hence chemo).  There is a very slight increased chance of a local recurrence with a lumpectomy. Tell your friend to knock it off!!!!! Best of Luck! Ruth