Surgery next week, but my 2nd opinion was interesting

jenn32214

I have had quite the last few months, with lots of tests to make sure where we stand on my BC (at least as much as such can be done before actual surgery), since my original IDC diagnosis.

My wonderful BS has been pretty unwavering since my original IDC diagnosis, that unless something else came back the wrong way, he would do a lumpectomy and SNB, And then on to "whole breast" radiation. Hopefully I won't need chemo, but BS has said that will depend on how the nodes turn out, and post surgery oncotype testing, etc BS and radiologists who read my images keep assuring me how early they caught this, at the microcalc stage, etc.

Then just because of the "circuitousness" of my case and testing, I decided to get a second opinion at a cancer center in my area. This included me sending them copies of my images ahead of time, and their nurse coordinator getting my biopsy slides from the first place. (If someone can explain to me how that works, much appreciated. Do they have "copies" of biopsy slides they can send? Or is it one set of slides they are sending back and forth?).

Anyhow, the BS from the 2nd place told me they think I don't really need surgery at all. That my IDC biopsy slides showed the tumor was only 2mm, and it was all removed during that core needle biopsy. I know the radiologist who did that was in there a while, and her report says she took out 6 samples, but still. And then this other BS also said because my IDC was so very early, small, low grade and "tubular" the chance of it having spread to any nodes is really small, so I didn't really need a SNB either. And they gave me referrals to schedule appointments with their RO department, and MO department to talk about hormone therapy. Which I did not followup with, because I decided I want to stick with the first place.

don't get me wrong, I love getting good news but I'm a little confused here. And I do plan on proceeding with my surgery next week. I've talked with a good friend who also had BC and she agreed with me I should proceed as planned. For one thing, my BS is a very good one who is well known in my area, and for another I couldn't sleep at night if I didn't do the SNB, Plus i have a strong family history of cancer that my BS is well aware of (He's the one who fast tracked my genetic testing which did come back negative). I almost feel like if I even suggested to my BS about skipping any surgery he would look at me like I have three heads, and I woudn't blame him

So just wanted others take on on this. Thanks again