Any TN's here choose lumpectomy over mastectomy?

AgathaNYC

Hello, TN sisters.

I am doing neoadj chemo and won't be having surgery for a while but I meet with my surgeon again in a few days. If it's possible for me I'd like to have a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy. (fyi: I didn't test positive for any genetic mutations that put me in a higher risk group.)

I'd love to hear from women with triple-negative BC that elected a lumpectomy. Are you happy with the decision? If so or if not, why?

Everyone's generosity on these forums has really gotten me through the past couple of months since my diagnosis. I just want to say a general "THANKS!"

VL22

AgathaNYC - my TN tumor wasn’t discovered until after my lumpectomy. I briefly considered getting a masectomy after chemo, but after speaking with my BS, I am at a well respected cancer center, and doing a lot of research, I am confident with my decision to stick with the lumpectomy. I was definitely not someone who wanted to get rid of my breasts at diagnosis - I understand that sentiment and respect it, but it was not for me.

Very recent studies reveal that TN women who get lumpectomies are not at a greater risk for local recurrence. Now, we will have to get the mammograms and or MRIs and maybe deal with false alarms. I’m ok with that at this time, but who can predict how stressful it will be? But a masectomy is definitely not a guarantee of no local recurrence I hope this helps!

Flynn

Hi. I’m going a different route but I can say that my BS did not consider lumpectomy an option for me because of my original tumor size, even tho theMRI is barely picking it up now. I’ll be curious to hear what your BS says.

jamorcar

Agatha, I'm weighing this same decision right now. Leaning toward lumpectomy, but would like to research this some more. I still have a lot more chemo to get through first, but my surgery will be in the spring. My MO agrees there's no impact on recurrence and ultimately it's my decision.

Motherofall6

I had lumpectomy, I will be getting the gene testing in December, as long as they come back negative, no more surgery. If it comes back positive then I will talk again with surgeon

SRP71

I was diagnosed May 16, 2016. On September 26,2016 I had a lumpectomy and reduction. All three of my doctors said that a lumpectomy was a good choice for me. They all said I could do whichever I wanted and in my case either was ok. I'm glad I chose this route. I do think you should go with what you feel is best for you and don't second guess your decision once you have had the surgery. I had stage 2. I had no cancer cell in my lymph nodes. I hope this helps.

Lynnard51

I was diagnosed in March, 2016.  I met with my team of 3 doctors (surgeon, oncologist & radiologist) who said the choice was up to me.  I had a lumpectomy on 4/1/2016. In the meantime, we were waiting for the results of my gene testing.   My results were negative.  I am very happy with my decision.  

Moderators

SRP71 And Lynnard51-

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences! It's so helpful for other members.

The Mods

Sam2U

Chiming in on behalf of my mother ----

Mom is in her 11th year after treatment for TN. Her treatment was lumpectomy, chemo then rads.

She is pleased with her treatment decisions and living life to the fullest.

AgathaNYC

Good news! I met with my surgeon again today. She sees no reason why we shouldn't do a lumpectomy. I am so relieved - that's really what I want. She was happy, too, that I changed my mind from the first day I met with her when I wanted a BMX with no reconstruction. I can't tell you what a weight this has taken of my mind.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Connie1230

My surgeon really didn't give me much of an option. She said that a lumpectomy was the only choice that made any sense to her in my situation.

XXXGGGYYY

While I had chosen a lumpectomy because I wanted the least surgery possible, I had also authorized the surgeon to remove my breast if the result would be disfiguring. My tumor was over 4 cm, and my overall breast size small. So, the surgery started as a lumpectomy, but the surgeon converted it to a UNMX. I was stage 1, grade 3.

Passant1

hello,

I discovered my cancer through a lumpectomy, no biopsy was done before it. The pathology came back with negative margins so almost every surgeon i saw recomended a mastectomy.

I wanted to wait for the gene test to have a bilateral mastectomy so my surgeon suggested going for another lumpectomy before chemo (diagnostic)

The gene test came back negative and the lumpectomy had clear margins so there’s no need for a mastectomy and im very hppy with this outcome.

yellowdoglady

I had a lumpectomy, then chemo, then radiation. Was Stage IIB, with 4 malignant lymph nodes. There was no reason that a mastectomy would have provided any additional benefit, and recovery from a lumpectomy is faster. Nine years later, all is well.

AgathaNYC

yellowdoglady - Congratulations on being 9 years out. Thank you so much for posting your story. It's so encouraging !!

Sharrose

I had lumpectomy because my surgeon said it was best and with my larger breast, it was the way to go. I am satisfied with results.

PNWskier

Lumpectomy here. It required radiation to go with it. So far so good.

AgathaNYC

Thanks for sharing with me, Sharrose and PNWskier. I like hearing you are satisfied with the results and that your treatment is going well.

Today I just scheduled my lumpectomy for March 5th followed by bi-lateral reduction on 3/19.

kmajor

Hi Agatha~ I had a lumpectomy as well. My surgeon highly recommended just a lumpectomy and I am very pleased. Of course he told me it was my decision and he would do whatever I wanted. Now I start Xeloda on Monday and rads after that. 😊

PNWskier~ Did you do Xeloda before rads? My oncologist as of right now has me doing 6 rounds. Any advice?

TurboKitten88

I chose lumpectomy! I am very happy with my choice! it was a hard one. but after doing it I feel it was right for me! I am like you and did not have the genetic markers either. My surgeon talked about how she even wished if it was possible ladies would not go so extreme in the beginning. Cause a lot of times it was probably not necessary. Of course there is no way to know for sure. but for me I was not wanting to go through several more surgeries. or having to wait to get implants. it just did not feel right to me. also my tumor was on the bottom of my breast so none of mine was going to show. it just felt right if that makes sense. I know its a very personal journey and only you will know what is right for you but I hope I helped a little by giving my opinion sending prayers and good vibes 

AgathaNYC

TurboKitten - First, I love your screen name!

Thanks for sharing your story. I had my lumpectomy 5 days ago and am so happy that's what I did in the end. I am not going to have the reduction I was planning. The incision is on the underside of my breast and I don't think it will be that disfiguring. I'm anxious to get into radiation and want the radiologist to have a clear idea where the tumor bed was. There was a chance tissue could have become "rearranged" during plastic surgery.

All the best to all you great ladies. Thanks for helping me make my decision - I think I chose what will be the best for me in the long run.

Sishi270922

Hola AgathaNYC, me alegra saber que estés bien, y que pronto continúes con tu tratamiento de radioterapia. Pasa rápido. Yo elegí lumpectomia, seno izquierdo 1.6 cm TN, también en el fondo y un poco hacia afuera no me deformó el seno. Recibí 4 rondas de quimioterapia, que fueron poco tolerables para mí, después recibí tratamiento de radioterapia 27 al seno completo y 5 de protones a la cicatriz, terminé todo el 7 de julio de 2015 y hago una mamografía anual. Hasta hoy todo va bien. Un abrazo a todas.

Dios las llene de bendiciones 😘

AgathaNYC

Hola Sishi!! Gracias por su repuesta :-)

It's good to read about other TN ladies that are doing well years after their lumpectomies. It makes me very happy to hear. It sounds like our tumors were in the same area. It is so great to know that your breast did not suffer any deformity from your lumpectomy and radiation. That makes me optimistic!

I hope you have continued health. Feliz Pascua!