Stage 2: Quadrantectomy vs Mastectomy

BCStagetwo

My mother is going into surgery pretty soon and the surgeon just mentioned that there is an option of Quadrentectomy with Node removal. She had earlier decided on Mastectomy to reduce the chances of recurrance and getting the reconstrction done after Chemo.  Has anyone gone through this or thinking about this? My mom wants my opinion ..I am so torn .  Oh God .. Please give some advise/opinions.  

ruthbru

Your chances of recurrence are the same either way with a mastectomy or a lumpectomy plus radiation. Reconstruction is a whole other set of issues and surgeries. If she is not sure, I would advise that she go with the less invasive procedure. She could always go back and do a mastectomy later, but once your breasts are gone, they're gone. Best of luck to her and you too.

Alicethecat

Hi BCStagetwo

I was offered a quadrectomy too but bearing in mind I was HER2+++ positive, I wanted a mastectomy. Did not want to come back and have more surgery after a lumptectomy.

A recent report on Breastcancer.org noted that 20% of people have to have a mastectomy after a lumpectomy due to insufficient margins.

If you can find out what your mother's ER/PR and HER2+ status is, that might help her decision.

Some reports I have read say that there is no difference in overall survival re a lumpectomy or a mastectomy but other reports favour a mastectomy.

I am happy with my decision re a mastectomy. Everyone is different of course.

Good luck to you and your mother.

Alice