Lumpectomy with no radiation

lisaparker · July 2013

I was diagnosed a few months ago with invasive lobular carcinoma of the left breast, stage IIa, 1.2 cm tumor, ER/PR+, Her 2 -. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node removed, and had to go for second surgery to clear the margins and remove more lymph nodes since there was disease on sentinel node. Thankfully additional lymph nodes were clear, and because I had a low Oncotype score the oncologist said I didn't need chemo. But he did say I needed Tamoxifen and either Radiation or Mastectomy. After extensive research, I feel ok w/ the Tamoxifen and have not had any side effects (whew!). But I just can't bring myself to do radiation or mastectomy. I would rather do aggressive alternative therapies with diet and herbs and supplements. But all the doctors are pushing radiation or mastectomy. I am an extremly healthy 50 year old at 120 pounds, who exercises daily and eats a very clean organic vegetarian diet and I just don't want to damage my body with radiation any more than necessary with radiation or implants. Does anyone have any opinions on this?

doxie · July 2013

lisaparker,

Sorry you have to join us. Hopefully we can help some way.

Generally, a lumpectomy followed by radiation is considered the equivalent of a mastectomy. By skipping radiation, you are choosing a less effective treatment with a higher risk of the cancer returning in the breast and possibly a distant recurrence which might shorten your life. More troubling because you had lymph nodes involved. I can see why the doctors are concerned. Of course you could be one of those who only needs a lumpectomy to remove all your cancer and prevent it from returning. Only time will tell.

I had no lymph nodes involved, but my cancer was agressive enough I needed chemo. Had a lumpectomy and radiation. I had minor issues during radiation and healed very well after. I have stage zero lymphedema which could be as much from the seven lymph nodes removed as any radiation, which didn't directly target my nodes. I am more active now after cancer treatment than before.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

ruthbru · July 2013

You really do need radiation with a lumpectomy....or a mastectomy. Since there were cells in a node, there are almost surely more cancer cells lurking in the breast area, no diet/herbs/suppliments are going to get rid of them, and they will eventually spread. I found radiation to be, by far, the easiest part of my treatment.

Lumpectomy with no radiation

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