Need opinions... please help

emma-

I've been diagnosed with breast cancer, that much I know for sure but I am confused about the things past that. About a year and a half ago I found a lump in my breast but was told it was a cyst and that it would be left alone until need be... I went to the doctor for problems with asthma and when he went to check out my lymph nodes he made an appointment for me to have a mammogram. I had an ultrasound & mammogram, and then a biopsy.. and from the pathology I've been told it's Invasive ductal carcinoma.. and I was told it had spread to my lymph nodes, and then that it actually hadn't? 

 With that being the back story, I was told to choose between (a) a mastectomy and then reconstruction from my back ( I don't remember the exact name) or (b) a lumpectomy to remove the tumour and then 30 sessions of radiotherapy. I had told another woman from church this (who also had had breast cancer), and she asked me how big of a tumour it was, and I told her not quite 8 centimeters. She asked why I wasn't on chemo with a tumour that big... I'm no breast cancer expert, I didn't know that was an especially big tumour. She had said that I needed to talk to my surgeon, that it was rubbish and I shouldn't be waiting on treatment. I don't want to overreact based on one opinion but I have been scouring the Internet and I'm not sure I want to disregard what I've been told by anyone... so with that being said I'd really like some opinions from ladies who know what they're talking about, thanks so much for the time...

kll22

Hi emma - it sounds like you are in the early stages and still collecting information. From my experience, this is the frustrating part, when the docs are determining exactly what you are facing: is the cancer hormone sensitive (ER/PR + or -, HER2 + or -), what the actual tumor size is.  Once the "facts" are in place, the docs will recommend a course of action. Some women are placed on chemotherapy to reduce the tumor size before surgery, which is what your friend might be referring to.

Best advice I can give is do a lot of reading - this site has great information to give you a basic understanding.  Ask lots of questions and ask for the reasoning behind the recommendations you are getting. 

You can do this!

mdg

First of all, I would get a complete copy of your pathology report and understand everything on there and what it means.  Then you know what you are dealing with.  I would also get a second opinion if you doubt what your doctor is saying...or just because.  I got two opinions from medical oncologists, surgical oncologists and plastic surgeons before I made a decision at all.  Some of them agreed on things, and some of them did not.  As far as lumpectomy vs. mastectomy from what I was told the survival rates are the same for both but the recurrence rates are slightly higher in lumpectomy + radiation.  Make sure you understand all of these things before you make a decision.  As far as reconstruction,  am not sure why your surgeon has suggested a lat flap (I think that is what you are talking about) but there are many options if you choose to get a mastectomy.  Your plastic surgeon should lay out all of your optinons and explain which ones you are/are not a candidate for.  I saw two plastic surgeons and both gave me only one option for reconstruction which was with tissue expander and then implants.  I was not a candidate for other types of reconstruction.  I was glad I had two opinions so I understood my choices before I made a definate decision on mastectomy or lumpectomy plus radiation. 

I would also check the NCCN website.  It outlines the treatment protocols for all types of cancer.  You can look at it and find what is recommended for your exact situation.  I am not expert but if the tumor was that large I would think you would get chemo....again, I am no expert!  I have only been dealing with this for 10 mo's!

Good luck with your decisions and I am very sorry about your diagnosis.  Hugs.

Racy

As mdg said, the first step should be to get a copy of your pathology report from the biopsy. Ask your doctor to explain it, look for the info on this site under the heading 'just diagnosed' and get some input from the ladies here.



There is also heaps of info here about surgical options, reconstruction, chemo and many other topics but try to take it one step at a time or it could be overwhelming.



Best wishes to you.