BRCA2 - when to do surgery

Rachel1

I was DX with IDC in May 2010. I finished chemo in October 2010 and rads in Dec. 2010. I then tested positive for BRCA 2. I had a PET/CT scan in mid-January and it was clear. I had a hysterectomy in February 2011 and all was fine. I have met with a surgeon and plastic surgeon about a bilat. mastectomy. They have to wait 6 months for the radiated side to heal. That will be in June 2011. In the mean time I get freaked out about waiting. My onc. says the ovaries were the biggie for me and do remove them asap.  How soon did you all have you bilat. mastectomies after radiation???Is it okay waiting a few more months?

p.s. I had IDC 4.5 stage 2, grade 3 with + lymph nodes, ER+ also.

Please talk me down. I'm having a panic attack. TIA Rachel

sanbar8771

I am Brca 2 + (variant). They dont even know what the variant is for. I had a lumpectomy, chemo then Bilat MX. I decided against radiation and Opted for the Bilat MX instead. I am suprised that the surgeon would make you wait 6 months. You should be fine though.  What did your Onco say? Don't have a painc attack...you will be fine. Your onco will not just throw you in with the sharks. Let him/her know your concerns and see if 6 months is ok to wait.  Hang in there....you will be fine!!!

SAMayoFL

Hey Rachel, you and I have almost identical cases.  After my right mastectomy I found out I was BRCA2+.  In the last seven months I have had a mastectomy, a port put in, 4 DD A/C treatments, and 12 weekly Taxotere treatments.  My mind and my body are tired and I am not ready for more surgery.  I went to the oncologist this past week.  My PET scan was clear and my blood work looks good.  I asked him that exact question:  When do I have to look at having the other mastectomy, hysterectomy and oompherectomy.  He said he would like for me to do it within a year but he will monitor me closely until I feel like I am ready to go through more surgery.

Please let me know when you schedule your surgery and how you are doing!

Susan

Rachel1

Hi Ladies,

Thanks for responding.  Sanbar8771, when I saw the surgeons in February, I was two months out from radiation. They said they couldn't do the Bilat MX on the radiated side. There was a huge chance it wouldn't heal. The skin was just too damaged. The don't like to operate on the radiated side for at least 6 months -- so that's June for me.

Susan, I had DD A/C x 4 and DD taxotere x 4. I also had 7 out of 26 or so nodes+, but still a stage 2. I'm not going to argue that one.  My onc. also mentioned having everything done within a year. Although he did say because I'm small breasted and have very little body fat, we could probably monitor the breasts fairly easily. The oncs main concern was the ovaries. He really wanted the hysterectomy sooner rather than later. I had it two wks. after finding out I was BRCA+ and there was no sign of cancer there (good path report) or in any other organs that they visually inspected and photographed.  

I would have done the Bilat MX then if they would have let me.  I'm suppose to see the plastic surgeon in 2 wks. (I may try to get in sooner) to re-evaluate the breast and see when we can do the surgery. 

I really hate being BRCA+. For me it is like the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back.  My DH and friends keep telling me to take comfort in a clear PET/Ct and good blood work.  But, I guess I'm afraid to let down my guard. Congrats on finishing chemo. Have you started rads?

Hugs,

Rachel