32A Lumpectomy

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NewBride
NewBride Member Posts: 140
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

So new to this. Glad there are no stupid questions.  So here goes:  Is there  anyone out there with small (32A) breasts who had lumpectomy?  My nurse navigator is telling me "probably" but I'm not seeing much evidence of it occurring amongst us so far.

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  • KAR
    KAR Member Posts: 225
    edited November 2009

    NewBride, I was a small 32B and originally had a lumpectomy that took about 3cm out.  I had a good cosmetic result, you couldn't tell from looking although I could tell that it wasn't as full as the other side.  I think if I was you I would ask about reconstruction surgery after lumpectomy if you don't get a good result.   If I had clear margins I think I would have been perfectly ok with result but I didn't get clear margins, mine was scattered a little here and a bit more there so.....     I hesitate to tell you I ended up with bilateral mastectomy because I would have been deformed after re excision and radiation but thats just my case and yours might be just a tiny bit of dcis, they wont know until they get in there.   Ask lots of questions and make sure your surgeon understands your concerns.  Also if you haven't seen an oncologist I think this might be a good second opinion to have.  I totally understand your concerns.  This is a great site for info.   Good luck and keep us updated.

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  • soapsnug
    soapsnug Member Posts: 65
    edited November 2009

    Hi NewBride,

    I was extremely small--not really even 32A.  Over the course of 14 years, I had four excisional biopsies--one on the left breast, and three on the right.  Each one of these was really like a small lumpectomy.  After each of the first three, I didn't notice any difference in my breast--I didn't even have a scar!  After the fourth (third one on the right side), and most recent, when the bandage was removed, I did see a deformity--a small indentation.  I was told (I can't remember who told me, and I have no idea if this is true) that it might fill in over time.  Since the biopsy showed DCIS and I decided to go for a bilateral mastectomy, I'll never know if that area would have remained permanently indented.  I just checked out my pathology report from this biopsy, and it indicates that an area of "3 x 2 x .08 cm." was removed.  That sounds pretty large to me, for someone with the size breasts that I had (plus it was my third biopsy on that breast), and, as I said, the indented area was small.  Hope that helps.

    Audrey  

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited November 2009

    Dear NewBride,

    Yeah I was in the same situation but with a 3cm tumor. I had a lumpectomy and am reasonably satisfied with cosmetically. Try the lumpectomy and you can always get it filled or have reconstruction or mastectomy/reconstruction later on.

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  • NewBride
    NewBride Member Posts: 140
    edited November 2009

    I go for my surgical consult on Nov 5. I'll also receive a referral to an oncologist at that time.  I guess all I can do for now is hope for clear margins and to perhaps be a candidate for Mammosite radiation.  As scary as the thought of losing a breast is,  The thought of permanent disability due to lymphedema is scarier.  I have a physically demanding job and a complication like that would end a 20 year career.  I can't understand why the path report from my core biopsy brings up the possible need for sentinel node biopsy.  I thought DCIS was non-invasive.  In fact my path report states that I am "Negative for Invasive Carcinoma" So what gives?

    Any thoughts on this will be very much appreciated.  And thanks to those of you who have helped so far. It's nice to find so many intelligent women who are willing to share.

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  • KAR
    KAR Member Posts: 225
    edited November 2009
    Newbride: In answer to your question regarding SN biopsy.  I think that when your grade 3, or have necrosis it is thought that it has more potential to be invasive or become invasive.  I didn't have SNB at lumpectomy but later had it when I choose mastectomy just because they cant go back later after mx.  I would definitely ask surgeon about this.  They can tell you the stats and your right if its all dcis then no it shouldn't be in your nodes, but they just don't know for sure until lumpectomy.  I don't see why they couldn't do the SNB at a later date if they do find an invasive component. Stay informed and ask questions.  Good luck Nov 5
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  • koshka1
    koshka1 Member Posts: 678
    edited November 2009

    Hi,,, I am a 34A barely "A" cup.

    I had a lumpectomy and a re-excision.......about 5cm removed lengthwise and about 2cm deep......

    My boob looks good!  it is actually perkier than the good boob!

    Hugs...Kosh

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  • j414
    j414 Member Posts: 321
    edited November 2009

    Same here. I'm also an A cup and my doctor removed a wide margin (tumor was on a fibrodema) My tumor was at 6:00 (bottom of my breast) and there is absolutely no difference in terms of fullness and the scar is barely noticeable (it is about an inch long and and the width of piece of dental floss).  In fact, last week I went to the derm for a mole check and she saw the the dot from radiation (the radiologist tattoos 3 little pin dots) and she said "that's weird".  She was referring to the color - it's a dark green - I didn't care about the color b/c I knew I would be getting the dots lasered off eventually. So, I said "it's from radiation" and she just looked at me. It took a couple of seconds for her to get it and then I pointed to the scar.  She wouldn't have noticed it if I hadn't pointed it out.

    My breast looks the same as it did before, except it's still very slightly tinted from radiation. I notice the tint, no one else does and it fades a bit more each week.

    Best,
    J

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  • NewBride
    NewBride Member Posts: 140
    edited November 2009

    Thank you all so much.  I'd like to keep hoping for a less extreme outcome.  However I just came from my first surgical consult and the recommedation is for mastectomy but, interestingly enough, not for sentinel node biopsy.  The reason stated is because I have a little DCIS here and a little there.  All of these are situated in an area 4.1 x 2.4 x 2.2 cm. located in the central lower letft breast.  The surgeon doesn't think that she could get clear margins and end up with a good cosmetic result.  No nipple sparing either because the nipple is part of that whole duct system. The nipple is not included in the area diagnosed  as containing DCIS but she is afraid that there might be a teeny bit that ecaped detection and she wants to get it all.  I asked about MRI. That's not her favorite diagnostic tool.  Her opinion is based on my digital mammography and  my pathology from a stereotactic core biopsy.  On the other hand, she feels that I would be low risk for lymphedema as I am not obese, have good muscle tone and good veins.  I guess I'll quit freaking out about that (for awhile anyway).  I have enough to freak out about already.  Speaking of which, on my return from the surgeon's office the 1st e-mail I got was from the National Cancer Institute informing me that there may be bunch of us undergoing unnecessary treatment due to "overdiagnosis"  See NCI Cancer Bulletin for October 20, 2009.  Timing is everything,huh?  Now I really don't know what to think.   

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