bad margins/2nd surgery/lymph node positive - what questions???

its_real

Hi Everyone - so I had a lumpectomy on 3/5 -pathology came back and 5 of 6 margins have cancer so back for a mastectomy. The mass that was removed was pretty large 6cm and my original tumor was large 6+ cm. The follow-up MRI showed that the mass had shrunk substantially and surgeon said it is rare for this not to hav hsown up on the 2nd MRI. I also had 8 lymph nodes removed (axially dissection) and 5 of those are positive. I had a PET and CT scan pre- treatment with no sign of any mastisiz-ing (sp?). Expect will have more scans at some point. I am thougthful about the nodes and any systemic issues that I need to be concerned about. Are there other scans/tests I should be aksing about? Any questoins I should be asking? How long have peopl waited for the 2nd surgery?

santabarbarian

Have you already had chemo? I might wonder if you would profit from follow up (adjuvant) chemo, and if so what the doc would recommend. I am sorry your lumpectomy turned into a MX. Good for you, to focus on the next moves, and doing what you can to knock out anything that might still be in your system.

its_real

Thanks Santabarbian - yes I had chemo already and prety surprised to find tht much cancer hanging around. Appricate your good thougts.