Lumpectomy vs mastectomy how did you decide?

April0315

I know many of you had choices to make, and I know it’s personal and what I choose is entirely up to me. Just wondering if there were any specific things you pondered, articles, etc that helped clear it up.

I met with my BS today, I have pre-existing implants and will need 3 lumpectomies if I opt that route.

I have plastic surgery consults later in the week and I’m hoping that will help to clear things up a bit.

I have IDC in the R breast, about 1cm, L side has 2 large areas of ADH that she wants to remove. Ugh.. I keep flip flopping

Rrobin0200

without a doubt, I knew I wanted a double mastectomy. A lumpectomy didn't even cross my mind. I know that the recurrence rates for Lx vs Mx are the same, but IN MY MIND I wanted to take the most aggressive approach... I've never looked back, never regretted it. But as you said, it's a personal opinion. There's absolutely no right or wrong. Let your doctors guide you, but definitely listen to your instincts as well. Best of luck.

santabarbarian

I decided on a lumpectomy because saving my breast was important to me and the survival stats were the same for my diagnosis: either MX, or lumpectomy w/ radiation. I did not want the lost sensation of a Mx and was also concerned about scar tissue and lymphedema.

AliceBastable

I never considered a mastectomy once I knew a lumpectomy would be sufficient. My mother had a lumpectomy in 2005 when she was 85, and did just fine afterwards. She lived to be 97 and died of unrelated causes.

Meow13

The plastic surgeons, three of them I consulted, wanted to work on non radiated skin. My surgeon and cancer board all recommended mastectomy. I didn't feel I had a choice. I am very pleased to have had a mastectomy with DIEP reconstruction. I avoided radiation that way. My skin has always been super sensitive.

However, 2 of my friends had reconstruction after radiation and they were fine, both turned out well.

April0315

oh you gals are quick! I’m so envious of those of you that knew what you wanted to do right away. I realize it’s a blessing that I even have the option, 1 minute I’m all about the lumpectomy, the next, I’m thinking the mastectomy suits me better. Surely the PS will help me. Since I have implants already in place, I have so many questions about them. BS did consult with her radiologist and says I’m an excellent candidate for the seed type radiation (brachytherapy?), and that should minimize the damage to the implant. I need to read up more on that too.

But thanks ladies! I love hearing your stories.

beep7bop

I made decision today to have double mx. Don't want to have to worry every 6 months about is it back or has it gone over to the right or spread else where. Just get it now, but I also know they think  it is suspicious for angiolymphatic invasion

SpecialK

You may find this post by Beesie helpful, it is a thoughtful and thorough treatise on this subject and has some citations of articles/studies as well:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topics/868997?page=1#post_5329372

kec1972

I decided on lumpectomy because it was just the one 1cm lump in my left breast, no other tumors, and the surgeon was confident he could get a good cosmetic result given the location of it. I also just wanted to keepmy breast.

Ingerp

My bottom line is I didn't want to take more tissue/have a more complicated surgery than necessary. I won't go mastectomy until it's the only option.

I know all of us would recommend you take your time, make a decision you're comfortable with, and then don't look back. You need to be at peace with your decision.

MissouriCatLady

Thank you everyone for their comments, thank you Special K for the link. This is a tough decision and your thoughts are most appreciated. Lisa

MBPooch

April0315 - I also had implants at the time of diagnosis but knew immediately I wanted a BMX. I had some benign findings in the other breast after MRI and just wanted to take the most aggressive approach. When I met with my plastic surgeon he suggested Direct to Implant. Getting silicone implants put in at the time of surgery was super appealing to me. I liked the idea of only needing one surgery and also having symmetry. It was also very mentally motivating to come out of surgery with breasts that were very similar to what I had. I'm a little over a year out now and couldn't be happier with my decision and how they look. Definitely take the time you need to be confident in your decision. If you haven't already, genetic testing my also aid in your decision as well. Best of luck to you!

gb2115

I chose a lumpectomy because I had a relatively small tumor and I wanted an easier recovery time. If I had had more than one area that needed to be removed, I would have done a mastectomy. That's how I chose.

April0315

Thank you all! It really helps know what the deciding factors for you all were.

I really enjoyed the long post that SpecialK linked. It's giving me a lot to think about

DawnS1962

When diagnosed my first instinct was BMX. After meeting with my BS and doing research (much provided on this site) I've decided on a lumpectomy. Everyone has to do what's right for them and not feel pressured into the decision. My BS did inform me reoccurrence rates and survival rates were pretty much the same as BMX.

Before my dx, I've never had any health issues and my first surgery was my port implant. Only time spent in the hospital were for childbirth so the idea of such a long recovery for BMX was a large factor in my decision. I can't wait for this whole process (tests, chemo, surgery and radiation) to be over.

Best of luck. Whatever you decide will be right for you❤️

msphil

yes sweetie it is personal choice I was diagnosed while planning our 2nd marriages and thought about lumpectomy I know it was my choice But my fiancee agreed that I should go for mastectomy he Loves me any one I choose. With him and family and my faith I kept Hope and did Positive thinking and Praise God this yr I am a 25yr Survivor. Keep Hope. idc stage 2 0/3nodes 3mo chemo before and after Lmast then we got married and then 7wks rads and 5yrs on Tamoxifen

JJOntario

I had breast augmentation the same year I was dx. Total slap in the face. I chose a lumpectomy and radiation (35 treatments). My radiated breast now sits a about 2-3 inches higher. At the time I was so in love with my perfect boobs and had waited until my daughter was in university before splurging on myself......I couldn't emotionally handle a mx...but it was a tough decision. Hopefully your PS can you give realistic visuals so you can make an informed choice. Good luck to you!

April0315

thank you all for taking the time to reply.

I did decide to go the lumpectomy route. I have found a plastic surgeon that I feel very comfortable with. I will be doing brachytherapy for radiation which should reduce to damage to the implants. He will do a capsulectomy, replace the old implants and some sort of lift to make the breasts symmetrical (as much as possible). The non-cancer side has 3 pretty large areas of ADH which will also be removed so I’ll need some evening out

I go in the 12th of this month. Ready to get rolling with this thing!