Prophylactic mx

twistedsteel

I had uni-MX in Nov 2011 w ALND. So I obviously take LE precautions on that side. If I opt for a MX on other side w no LND at all, prophylactically, will there be LE risk there too?



Thanks in advance for answers.

Leah_S

Twistedsteel, I'm planning a prophy max for my other side, too, so I've looked into this. There is an increased risk of LE once the breast is removed since there are nodes in the breast and in the tail of spence (breast tissue that goes from breast towards axilla). Taking precautions on the side of the prophy mx would be a good idea.

I already have LE (fortunately mild but it's there) so I know I'll be taking precautions.

Best of luck.

Leah

Binney4

TS, there are a few of us here with LE from a prophy mx, no LN dissection -- me included. Wish someone had told me I was at risk! Good for you for thinking about it and planning ahead! Maybe ask for a referral from any doctor on your team for an eval by a well-trained LE therapist. Here's how to find one near you:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

Be well!
Binney

carol57

Here's a study of complications, including lymphedema, following prophylactic mastectomy, and if I read the study correctly, the study group was 'just' mastectomy--no sentinel or full node dissection.

http://jncimono.oxfordjournals.org/content/2005/35/61.full.pdf+html

The risk appears to be very small for lymphedema--3% if I read the table correctly. The study is very interesting, as it evaluated risk for a host of complications, looking at different populations, such as prophy mx with and without reconstruction, and pmx with immediate vs. delayed reconstruction, and looking into the different types of reconstruction, too.

Carol

carol57

Ahh-forgot to mention the study concerns bilateral prophy mx, so perhaps LE risk is lower for unilateral?  Of course, the study in no way says there's zero risk, and as Binney pointed out, real women have developed LE after prophy mx.  My prophy bmx included SNB on one side, to which I attribute my LE (5 nodes).  What a world--we have to weigh fear of BC against fear of LE. Ick.