Mastectomy after 2 positive margins

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lmlmlmcaron
lmlmlmcaron Member Posts: 1
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

Hi,

I just had my lumpectomy a couple of weeks ago and had two positive margins for DCIS.  I'm scheduled for a re-excision Dec. 26.  I'm curious how many of you had to then have a mastectomy following excision because of more postive results.  I'm trying to stay positive but want to be prepared for a mastectomy in case it's down the road...

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  • LAstar
    LAstar Member Posts: 1,574
    edited December 2012

    I did but I had 4 of 6 positive margins on my first lumpectomy. Lots of women have successful re-excisions and I hope you are one! I was up doing dishes the night of my re-excision and was thrilled with the quick recovery. Best wishes!

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  • mrenee68
    mrenee68 Member Posts: 383
    edited December 2012

    I hope your re-excision goes well for you. I didn't get the opportunity for a re-excision because my Dr. felt he wouldn't be able to get it all and still have goood cosmetic results. I had multifocal DCIS and for me having the single MX was my best option. Good luck!

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  • ballet12
    ballet12 Member Posts: 981
    edited December 2012

    My first lumpectomy was positive for DCIS to all of the margins.  I had a re-excision (at another hospital--a major cancer center), and then one margin remained positive.  I continued to have a second re-excision (three surgeries altogether), and this one had clear margins.  The cosmetic result is really not great, I have to say, in part because in addition to these three surgeries, I had had three prior surgeries on this same breast. There are also very obvious changes from the final surgery. I did, however; succeed in achieving wide margins and I still have the breast.  I was not happy with doing implants, so had I gone to mastectomy, I would have done it without reconstruction.  I still preferred the lumpectomy.  I have to say that I went swimming today for the first time since the second surgery, which is a milestone for me.  It's not really obvious under a black bathing suit.  These are tough, life-changing decisions, but I'm basically happy with what I chose (at least so far).

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  • SJW1
    SJW1 Member Posts: 244
    edited December 2012

    After my lumpectomy in 2007, I was told that 4 of 6 margins were positive. They wanted to do a mastectomy, but I thought that was overtreatment for my non-invasive DCIS.

    Instead, I had an Aurora RODEO MRI which did find two suspicious areas. Biopsies of both were beniign (although the false positive rate for this type of MRI is less than 11 percent).

    I then contacted Dr. Michael Lagios, a world renowned DCIS expert and pathologist, who has a consulting service that anyone can use. He reviewed my lumpectomy pathology and disagreed with the local pathologists. He said I did get good margins and no more surgery was necessary.

    He also used the Van Nuys Prognostic Index to calculate my risk of recurrence without radiation. Since it was only 4 percent, I opted out of that as well. Because radiation can only be done once, I wanted to save that option in case I ever got invasive breast cancer.

    If you would like more info on Dr. Lagios, RODEO MRIs or just want to read more of my story, please feel free to check out my website: http://dciswithoutrads.com/

    I would also be very happy to answer any questions you might have if you want to send me a private message.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Sandie


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  • Duffmom
    Duffmom Member Posts: 33
    edited December 2012

    I had 2 re-excisions ( 3 lumpectomies) in all and then had to have a mastectomy. They found an additional 4x7 cm of DCIS with the mastectomy. I also had DIEP reconstruction at the same time. January 4th will be my one year anniversary for big surgery, it's been a long road, but it does get easier and less consuming. Good luck on the 26!!

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  • Kitchenwitch
    Kitchenwitch Member Posts: 374
    edited December 2012

    Hi, my experience is somewhat similar to Duffmom's above. i had a lumpectomy and two re-excisions (so three lumpectomies in all). i never got the margins they wanted to see (for my dcis grade iii) so i wound up having a mastecomy in november 2010. i was very sad but resigned. i had a stacked diep (i think) as reconstruction. i was about 90% happy with the results only complaint was that the nipple was somewhat damaged.

    i just had that repaired and the other side lifted to match. i am very happy with the outcome cosmetically. it was a long road, but for me the silver lining was no radiation. 

    i told my plastic surgeon recently i wished i had just gone straight for mastectomy but she reminded me that i was not ready for it. So when i look back at that year it was rough but the outcome was good, and i felt that i made a good decision with a doctor i really like for the surgery i didn't want to have. i am glad i had it now. 

    best wishes for your next steps!

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  • ballet12
    ballet12 Member Posts: 981
    edited December 2012

    Good luck on your surgery today!

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