What tests for post mastectomy recurrence?

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DTTODGG
DTTODGG Member Posts: 10
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Hello.

I had a double mastectomy after a diagnosis of DCIS. A bit aggressive? Maybe, but I really don't want to worry about going through this again. I chose not to have reconstruction and am very happy with everything --- all things considered.

My surgeon removed the left DCIS side (very nicely) and there is not much tissue remaining, but I believe an intern did the right side and left a significant amount of obvious breast tissue.

This worried me.

How do they test for possible breast cancer when there is not enough to do a mammogram with? Is a PET, MRI or Ultra sound the best detector? Or blood test?

I'm not comfortable with just self-breast exams.

Looking forward to your thoughts,

Thank you.

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  • in_cognito
    in_cognito Member Posts: 429
    edited June 2010

    Bumping up - I'd love to know what everyone else is doing as well.

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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited June 2010

    I had a bilat...onc follows me closely....blood work including tumor markers, physical exam and detailed history/questions...he only does scans if patient is symptomatic or asks for scans.  I'm also supposed to see BS yearly, but skipped this years visit since it was due around the same time I was seeing my onc....

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  • Mantra
    Mantra Member Posts: 968
    edited June 2010

    I too had a BMX for DCIS and do worry about residual breast tissue. I know for a fact that my fascia was removed so that means I have no breast tissue against my chest wall. One of my surgeons is pro mammogram, even for women who have had a mastectomy. The other surgeon says it's really open for debate . . . some surgeons are for mammo and other's are not. I meet with her in 6 months and we will discuss my follow up plan. I too am not comfortable with just breast exams even if it is a surgeon doing it. I am most likely going to request MRI and ultrasound. We'll see if the surgeon agrees.

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  • jrgolomb
    jrgolomb Member Posts: 1,236
    edited June 2010

    This is a good question.  I had an implant put in in place of and they alway want me to check around the scar tissue and the arm pit.   Plus, the mri I have every year checks to see if there is anything lurking, especially as the mammo gram never picked up any cancer!

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  • DTTODGG
    DTTODGG Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2010

    Saw my surgeon. He said that "if it was his sister, he would not ask for a MRI unless it was keeping her up at nights". Well, I said that I had the bilateral because I didn't want to worry about this anymore. But they didn't remove all the tissue on the one side and so now I had a prophylatic mastectomy and STILL worry about cancer. So, I'm getting a MRI on Tuesday.

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  • NSWTD
    NSWTD Member Posts: 210
    edited July 2010

    Is it possible for you to go back and have the extra tissue removed?  I only had one side....same x - DCIS - pretty wide spread and I have small breasts.  I really doubt there is any breast tissue to speak of on my rt side.  

     If you have gone to this much trouble, if it were me, I'd be asking for the extra tissue to be removed....consider it your reconstruction...insurance has to pay to make you symetrical......so go for it.   

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