Surgery Concern

I had a lumpectomy first and now  they are considering whether or not to give me chemo. I'm having a oncotype test done first.

The party line:  For early stage cancers (I & II), the SURVIVAL rates for lumpectomy and rads are COMPARABLE to mastectomy.

Part of what you need to understand (IMO) is that people don't die from breast cancer in their breasts (not unless the tumor is so big that you suffocate on it).

Breast cancer OUTSIDE the breast can invade organs and bone.  The cancer cells invade, replace and destroy normal tissue.  The dead, dying tissue liquifies and causes fluid to build up around essential organs like the liver, lungs, heart.  The organs start to die, and this leads to total body death.

So, when you talk about surgical options and radiation, you are principly talking about LOCAL treatment.

Rates of recurrence with radiation and lumpectomy range from 7-14% (depending on who you're quoting).  Rates of recurrence with mastectomy range from 1-4%.

The inherent problem with these numbers is that MOST breast cancers are ER+...so, it is possible that a study of strictly ER negs would produce a different answer.

Approximately 7% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have a concurrent cancer within the other breast (simultaneously or within one year of initial diagnosis.)

IMO, the survival rates are the same because 80% of breast cancers are "early stage"...and smaller cancers at diagnosis are associated with better prognosis.  It has been demonstrated that hormone blockers such as tamoxifen have reduced recurrence rates in ER+ cancers.

Also, IMO, when you start talking ER- cancers, you are talking about a horse of a different color.

For myself, I had all of the chemotherapy and radiation I ever want to have...and I could have done without what I tolerated.

 To be real...surgical choices are often about the psychology of the patient.

Maybe the bi-laterals didn't make a difference...but, my gut was screaming a tune that could have been heard in Zimbabwe.

You're going to have to pick your "least worst."

Select your degree of mutilation.

It's difficult.

I would much rather choose between cake and ice cream.

 Follow your heart.

Tammy Lou

Good point.

Your regret is the reason I amputated my own breasts.  Regionally advanced at diagnosis.  I never wanted to find myself in a position where I (possibly) blamed myself.  I had max everything.  Took years to recover from the @ss-whoopin'.  I'm not saying I've fully recovered (or that I ever will completely), but it's a lot better.

Cancer sucks.

Tammy Lou