Lumpectomy/nipple removed

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kem510
kem510 Member Posts: 28
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I am posting this in several topics, because I need to get different perspectives......



OMG I am so confused. In FL my surgeon, a good one, said a definite MX for Paget's disease on my nipple and areola. All tests reveal that inside my breats are clear of any cancer. With Paget's there is 97% chance of invasive cancer. So that is great for me, but when I went to MDA Houston, I was told that I was a candidate for a lumpectomy.



I need to tell you I am 60. In a way, during all of this I divorced my R breast and prepared my mind for a MX with some kind of recon. My recon options in my home town were implants only. Thus, I had to travel and MDA was in my network and I have family in TX. This extra choice of lumpectomy has me confused.



The lumpectomy will take my areola, nipple, and enough tissue to get a good margin. The nipple has the most nerve endings and with removal my breasts will probably feel numb. And I am guessing that I might have phantom pains, itching, etc. as if I had a MX. In addition, I will need 6 weeks of radiation. On top of that I will need to stay on top of monitoring that breast with imaging. I have to ask mammogram or MRI. If MRI every year, that is additional costs every year.



I was all set in my mind for a MX to remove a diseased breast. I'm trying to be open to other options. But THIS type of lumpectomy where the NIPPLE IS REMOVED doesn't sound like the lumpectomy that most women have.



I need information so that I can ask intelligent questions and make a decision. My mind is going into spirals. Going for a series of consultations tomorrow at MDA. Seeing a breast recon dr., radiation oncologist, and the surgical oncologist (the one who recommended lumpectomy - but will do MX if I want).

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  • Shirlann
    Shirlann Member Posts: 3,302
    edited March 2012

    The FIRST thing to think of is survival, all other issues are unimportant if you have a recurrence.  Go after this with all guns firing, and the outcome you can deal with later.

     Gentle hugs, Shirlann 

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  • kem510
    kem510 Member Posts: 28
    edited March 2012

    Shirlann,

    I'm not quite getting the gist of your post. Explain about dealing with the outcome later. I'm understanding that you said to think about survival, and what will give me the best chance of the cancer not returning. Focus on getting the cancer as the end result and not all the other questions like appearance, pain, etc.?

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited March 2012

    Kem - I don't know anything about Paget's but you are right - this would not be a typical lumpectomy and yes....you need to know what the outcome is going to be.  Maybe when you visit the breast surgeon ask him to draw out what your breast will look like.  I don't know if you will have phantom pains from this.  I had a lumpectomy and the only thing I felt a month later was zingers from the nerve endings healing up.

    You might want to pose this question in the breast reconstruction forum so that you might get some more answers to your questions.

    BTW - cute dog!

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  • kad2kar
    kad2kar Member Posts: 336
    edited March 2012

    Kem---I had both nipples removed (my choice) when I had the mastectomies. The area is numb, sometimes it feels like they are itchy, no good to scratch though. They also are very cold if I get cold. I dont realize that unless my arm touchs them. I HAVE NOT been sorry about removing them. Just be sure you make the decision that is the best for you.------kad2kar

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