So many questions

llupp

I am on 4 cycles of A.C. then 12 cycles of taxi. I asked my doc why triple negative is so daunting. He said it's the unknown and the reaccurrence rate. I am a pre surgical stage 1 grade 3 IDC . The surgeon said a lumpectomy should be fine since the tumor is 1.9 but since the reaccurrence rate shouldn't i just have a mastectomy. I am just so confused . I am also concern I have had so many issues with insurance and mammograms. My insurance has became a part time job keeping them honest.

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moth

Hi, you can see from my sig that I have a similar dx and I had a lumpectomy. Overall survival rates for lumpectomy + rads are essentially the same as for mastectomy. Locoregional recurrences (same breast or opposite breast) are treatable. The recurrence we need to worry about is the distal (metastatic) recurrence. Hence the heavy duty chemo.

Does that help a bit?

Whirlaway

Moth explained it well. I know it is scary at first...

Surgeon asked me what I preferred. I had a large tumor (fast growing on a petite frame) and it was very high up (close to armpit). Because of the location a Lympectomy (surgeon called it partial mastectomy) was possible. I had surgery before chemo (also my choice)  got clear margins and surgeon reconstructed with my own tissue. I had no gene mutation and would have needed heavy rads even with full mastectomy.  My onco agreed. I am almost two years out (fingers crossed!)

Sending you good thoughts!!