Just diagnosed recommended mastectomy

Shelley73

I was just diagnosed with IDC in my left breast 6 days ago. The surgeon who performed the second needle biopsy said based on the size of the tumor and my breast a lumpectomy would not conserve enough of my breast. My question is, is it common to have to have a mastectomy for a 2 cm tumor? I feel as if the surgeon was trying to scare me into getting surgery as quickly as possible by telling me how people passed by going to an oncologist first and trying to shrink the tumor before having surgery. I was told it would only take a week to two week s to recover from a mastectomy, I am just not sure I feel he was trying to make it seem like it was simple to not scare me. Anyone having any insight into ths? I see an oncologist tomorrow for the first time I hoping to more info. The pathology report says er+/pr+ and her neu (2+ ) equivocal reflex to fish. Not understanding the HER2 part

rachelcarter35

Don't be pressured into moving too fast. I postponed surgery two weeks out so that I could get second opinions from UCSF. I was then able to go into treatment confident with the plan.

I was also HER2 equivocal. I think it means that the HER2 testing came back inconclusive. They had to send it back in to finally determine I was Her2 negative.

Beaverntx

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Shelley, ask your oncologist about the HER. And I would suggest seeking a second surgical opinion to see if they agree. My tumor mass was 2.1cm and my BS recommended and performed a lumpectomy. However the location of your tumor or other factors could make a difference.

Mymomsgirl

Shelley73, meet with your MO and get all the facts before making your decision. My aunt was told something similar but my cousin pushed her to get a second opinion and ended up with just a lumpectomy. My tumor was 1.8 cm and I went with a lumpectomy along with immediate reconstruction, aka oncoplastic surgery. Are you in an are with a breast center? I feel like I hear about a lot of women getting mastectomies when they could possibly do a lumpectomy.

My BS did an MRI to verify that we were only dealing with the one spot. It could be that they are suggesting the mastectomy if you are Her2+ because that means it grows a little quicker. Good luck there is a lot of reading you can do on this site to educate yourself, but ultimately you need to feel good about your decision.

alto

I hope the oncologist can give you more information. A second surgical opinion might be a next step for you, too.


I had DCIS, but because of the size and location, I had to have a mastectomy. Recovery wasn’t as bad as you’d think, but you do need to rest, a lot. If you have a demanding job or long commute, you’d probably want 4 weeks before you’re ready to go back. Most docs say to allow 4-6 weeks. Two weeks is a bare minimum. I was not feeling fully functional by then. I was still hazy, tired, did not have a good replacement boob solution, etc.

Shelley73

I don’t know if it her2 positive because the report said equivocal, from what I read that means an inconclusive result. I think maybe a second opinion is what I need thanks for the inpu

Shelley73

what do you mean you didn’t have a good replacement boob solution? I was told BRS may not be an option for me at the time of mastectomy due to my size, I guess he meant no where to take skin from.he was going to schedule me to see the plastic surgeon . I appreciate your response I think I will get a second opinio

Shelley73

I have a question about the tissue expander is that painful? I see you had that and it was also explained I may have to have that instead of flap reconstruction

alto

Shelly73, I did not have reconstruction on the mastectomy side so when I said I didn't have a boob solution, I meant it took me a few weeks for my chest to tolerate a fiberfill foob for hours, and to find a supportive, pocketed camisole that fit me well enough for work.

Meow13

The FISH test should tell you if you are her2 neg or pos, I was equivocal until FISH said I was negative. I did the mastectomy avoided radiation and had left side DIEP reconstruction. It turned out wonderful for me, I did take many weeks off work, more than I really needed but glad to get the rest.