Second Opinion

Sheree66

Hi! This is my first post. I was diagnosed with bilateral breast CA on 02/03/16. I've seen the breast surgeon and had MRI. She's recommending bilateral mastectomy. I've seen a plastic surgeon who recommends an implant with TE. I have a schedule to see another breast specialist from Memorial Sloan Kettering on 02/29/16 for a second opinion. What if this 2nd doctor give a different treatment? Should I go to him? My current surgeon's specialization is Endocrinology and Breast Surgery. I want to just get this over with. Would lumpectomy be better off than mastectomy? Please share your experience ... thank you.

Asante314

Sheree66: welcome to the group no one wanted to join. So sorry you are joining us today. You will find a very supportive community of wonderful women, and a few men as well.

As far as a second opinion, some would say if it is different and you are not significantly more comfortable with one then the other, seek a third, tiebreaker opinion. You ultimately have to be comfortable with your decision. Will you have a medical oncologist as well.

Additionally, letting us know your type of cancer is more helpful for further insight.

I had a lumpectomy/ excisional biopsy in May, but am now having a BMX in March followed by TE w implants.

I switched breast surgeons between the surgeries because I did not like the plastic surgeon she worked with. I equally love my new breast surgeon. Both surgeons and my medical oncologist rec BMX, so the decision was made. I just had to find the right team for me. You have time, to figure this out over a few weeks, some say 3 months at most. I understand getting it over with. As my date approaches it both can not get here fast enough, but it is too soon as well!.

hugs

asante

Kicks

Have yoi seen a MO (Medical Oncologist/Chemo Dr) and a RO (Radiological Oncologist/Rads Dr) to find out your complete TX plan? Neoadjuvant chemo (chemo pre-surgery) is SOP with one type of BC but is being used more with other types to get better surgery results. Recon can be effected by rads.

There are a lot of questions you need answers for - what type of BC (DCIS/IDC/ILC/IBC), expected Stage, ER/PR and HER2 status, Oncotype test, genetic testing are a few of the 'things' that go into the total TX plan. What is your Tumor Board recommending?

Get a notepad and write down every question you come up with and be sure that the Dr explains IN WORDS YOU UNDERSTAND all the questions. Keep asking the same question (if needed) until he/she explains in words YOU understand. Use your smart phone (or a tape recorder), so will have the exact words used IF you need to review what was said later.

You have to be as good an Advocate for YOUSELF as you were for your children.

BarredOwl

Hi Sheree66:

Seeking a second opinion can be very helpful for many reasons, like better understanding your diagnosis and treatment options. The second opinion may very well be consistent with the advice you have already received. If it differs in some way, it would be quite important to know it, so as to make the best decisions. You can cross that bridge if and when you come to it. You may find the choice is easier than you expect.

I sought a second opinion in Boston, and while it agreed with first about the problem on the right, they found a new problem on the left. Not surprisingly, I chose to be treated at the second opinion place.

Unless you have a specific need for endocrinology and breast surgery expertise (that could not be met by adding an endocrinologist to your treatment team), then please note that many here chose a breast surgeon whose practice focuses almost entirely on the treatment of patients with breast cancer or at risk of breast cancer.

Memorial Sloan Kettering is well regarded as an NCI-designated cancer center.

http://www.cancer.gov/research/nci-role/cancer-cen...

Keep us posted.

BarredOwl

Sheree66

Thank you for your responses. I have DCIS on both breasts. I was told its stage 0 but I don't know what grade. My right breast has micro invasive DCIS. The ultrasound report on the mass on both breasts measures 2 cm but MRI showed an abnormal enhancement of about 4.5 cm on the right and 3cm on the left breast.

I have not seen an oncologist or a radiologist except for the endocrinologist/breast surgeon and plastic surgeon that I mentioned in my earlier post. When do I see the oncologist? Who will tell me that I need to see an oncologist?

I'm waiting to see the doctor for second opinion and then we will decide.