Mammogram 2-3 wks after Excisional Biopsy?

NRB

Diagnosed w/LCIS after stereotactic biospy. Then excisional biopsy (lumpectomy?) a few weeks later. Post-op appt so bad (need to "fire" breast surgeon) that I think I got the "no additional findings news" but little in the way of answers to any questions. But, she wants me to have a mammogram in 2-3wks. Before surgery, she'd said it would be follow-up mammogram in 3mo. From what I've read, many women have their first post-lumpectomy mammogram at 6mo. Anyone have this post-op mammogram in 2-3 wks? I know I'll get more answers when I get a 2nd opinion breast doc...and when I get the breast surgeon recommendation of an appt with an oncologist. Any input/advice while I wait would be great.

MelissaDallas

i didn't have one until six months later when they started my six-month alternating mammograms and MRIs. They did an MRI the week before my biopsy.

Bambijello

I just received my LCIS diagnosis this summer. I was called in for a mammo 6 weeks later, but only of the opposite breast. My surgeon said it could take 6 months to fully heal from the excision all biopsy. I'll have an MRI next, so it actually will be a year before that breast gets another mammo.

Anonymous

back when I was first diagnosed with LCIS, they didn't do another mammo for almost a year after my lumpectomy, but things have changed in the last 10 years. I alternate mammos and MRIs every 6 months now (and take preventative meds--took tamoxifen for 5 years, now take evista); I can't imagine why they would want to subject you to a mammo so soon; it may well be more uncomfortable since you are still healing. I think I would question the doctor on the need for a mammo so soon, and find out the reasoning behind it. But great news on the "no additional findings"!

anne

NRB

Thanks...I couldn't find anything about a 2-3wk mammogram follow-up after lumpectomy. I called surgeon's office and they said it was standard and that it was for checking surgical site and checking for seroma (or something like it). I just feel like they aren't tell me something. Luckily I have a 2nd opinion breast doc appt next Thurs and mammogram isn't until the Wed after that. The diagnosis, tests, biopsies and surgeries are hard, but sometimes it's the run-around, the confusing info and the conflicting opinions from docs that seems even harder.

*From my stereotactic biopsy and lcis finding, I had one breast doc say tamoxifen and no excisional biopsy and another who said I wouldn't do well on tamoxifen and that the excisional was definitely necessary (radiologist original recommendation).

*After the excisional biopsy, my surgeon said I was "too sick" from my autoimmune disease to handle tamoxifen or mastectomy (I have no idea what she's basing this on). My rheumy said both would be fine, I'd be fine and she isn't even certain I have an autoimmune disease. My primary said the same thing. The surgeon won't answer any of my questions until I get a 2nd opinion rhuemy, which can take many months.

Sorry to vent...it's just hard, the waiting...and the knowing that these decisions need to be made because of work. I've already had a cancel a big $700 chunk of work for Jan because of the continued doc appts and unknown. ):

Leah_S

NRB, I'm glad you have a second-opinion BS appt soon. The surgeon you have now is disregarding your other docs opinions, refusing to answer your questions, and relying on a mammogram to check for surgical healing/seroma. Is she positive that much pressure so soon after surgery won't delay healing? Quite frankly, I'd switch if it were me.

Best of luck.

Leah

leaf

Personally, I wouldn't trust much about a surgeon's opinion about the effects of tamoxifen on your autoimmune condition. Surgeons know meds used for surgery well, but in general, immunology is not their forte (nor is it mine, nor am I a doc.)

I get followed by an oncologist (versus a breast surgeon) because of my unusual medical conditions. Oncologists come from an internal medicine side of things whereas surgeons come from a surgical background. I would be concerned that a breast surgeon wouldn't even consult with my autoimmune doc about possible impacts of tamoxifen. (I am also prejudiced against my breast surgeon as she didn't listen to me.)

My autoimmune doc thought I might do better off of tamoxifen (based on her experience with 1 patient. I have an unusual condition, and only 1 of her patients had both this unusual medical condition plus tamoxifen for breast cancer.) I get followed by an oncologist. I tried being off tamoxifen for 3 months, and since nothing changed with my breasts or my autoimmune condition, I went back on tamoxifen with both docs' blessing, and finished out the 5 years of tamoxifen. I'm not trying to opine whether or not tamoxifen would affect your autoimmune condition for good, ill, or no effect, but I would much more value a rheumatologist's or oncologist's opinion versus a surgeon. In general, unless its meds specifically directed at a particular surgery (such as an antibiotic or anticoagulant) or something that could/would affect healing (such as corticosteroids or chemo) I would generalize that most surgeons just copy the patient's home meds and continue them during surgery.

I also agree with Leah S. (for my 2 cents.)