Does Lymphedema play a part in BMX decision

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happyhappy10
happyhappy10 Member Posts: 5
edited June 2014 in Just Diagnosed

I have been lurking for a month (after my DCIS dx in right),and I have learned SO much.  I have chosen a BMX. 

Here is my track record;

2006 (age 36) - mammo, then biopsy, benign

2008 (age 38) - mammo, then lumpectomy, benign

(insert period of my life where I didn't go to doctors)

Dec 2013 (age 43) - mammo, then ultrasound and recommedned biopsies

Jan 2014 (age 44) - Went in for 4 biopsies, I ended up getting 6 biopsies, one on right dx as DCIS, lumpectomy and RT recommended.  I choose BMX, so surgeon wants me to do a MRI.

Jan 2014 - MRI shows suspisious activity on the left, they want to do anther biopsy.  I Ask why, if I am having them both removed?  Surgeon says because they do not want to do sentinel lymph node biopsy in non-cancerous side if they don't have to.  I said, but I was told this sentinel lymph node biopsy test could only be done while the breast was intact, so why wouldn't I want the test done?  Then I read about Lymphedema.  I said to my surgeon, "Everytime I get a test, there is something new that is suspicious and you want to biopsy/test, which causes me concern"  She agreed. 

My question is, did anyone consider Lymphedema when making their decision?  While I want to be "clean", I'm considering going ahead with the biopsy, and maybe not getting the sentinel lymph node test on the left side. It just kills me that they are always finding something, and i don't want to forgo a test that they may find something else.

Thank you!


 

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  • Gypsy_Dr34m3r
    Gypsy_Dr34m3r Member Posts: 18
    edited March 2014

    Hi Happy,
    After my dx of DCIS in left breast, I went for an MRI and 'something' was found in the right. 
    My surgical oncologist wanted me to have a biopsy to avoid having to take nodes from the right as well as the left.
    Turned out the ultrasound didn't pick anything up to biopsy, so my surgeon decided not to take the right node.
    Turns out there was no cancer in the right, so his decision was a good one.
    I didn't personally know anything about Lymphedema at the time, but if I had of, I would definitely have taken it into consideration.
    I can absolutely sympathize over the 'always finding something' bit....I joke with my docs that I'm running out of body parts for them to take.
    Good luck with everything :)

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited March 2014

    It is possible to develope Lymphedema after ANY surgery.  When multiple lymph nodes are not removed - it is rare to develope but is possible even when node are removed.  I have a friend who had some relatively minor non-invasive knee surgery and she deals with worse LE problems than I do and i had 19 nodes removed.

    I would suggest that you post your questions in the LymphEdema section here.  There are several very knowledgeable women there who have had BMX (I had a UMX) that can give you good information and their experiences.

    You might also want to post in the DCIS section with questions.

    Another point to keep in mind - a UMX or BMX is not a 'guarantee' that you can never develope a recurrance or mets.  It does definately drastically lessen the likelihood but not every cell of breast tissue can be rremoved via surgery.

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  • happyhappy10
    happyhappy10 Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2014

    thank you tor your posts, I will check out the lymphedema section!!

    Thank you, and I wish everyone well!

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  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 961
    edited March 2014

    You can lower your chances with sentinel node biopsies.....as I did....but one never knows even with OTHER surgeries....as in hysterectomies and leg lymphadema...risks and balances....always.

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  • armywife199
    armywife199 Member Posts: 19
    edited March 2014

    Happy Happy,

         I had DCIS and if I had it to do over, I would not have done the sentinel lymph node.  Look at any lymphnode system area of book or internet.  There are plenty of nodes in the breast.  Opposite side of neoplasm, or removed from immediate area of neoplasm.  My first lymphedema episode was 13 months after surgery.  And often if there is an incident it is not while you are presently seeing Dr. still.  That is why they promote so actively, They do not see effects, deal with frustrations, deal with pain! 

         I will tell you mine did subside in a month, but only after much, much pain.  Protect yourself and your immune system that it may also better protect you.  But, that is my thought on the subject, I pray nothing but the best for you and for a quick recovery regardless of what you choose!

    Sincerely, Cindy

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  • LymphActivist
    LymphActivist Member Posts: 64
    edited March 2014

    Lymphedema should ALWAYS be a factor in any cancer treatment decision, and a physician is being remiss if they do not have current data on the risk of lymphedema for EVERY proposed procedure. There is a risk of lymphedema with any surgery, and a risk of lymphedema with curative radiotherapy. And these risks must be balanced against the benefits of these therapeutical procedures.

    In 2008 I presented a poster called "Do Early Stage Breast Cancer Patients Receive Adequate Information With Which to Make Informed Decisions? subtitled "How Knowledge of the Risk of Breast Lymphedema May Change a Patient’s Breast Cancer Treatment". Although risk and benefit numbers have changed slightly since I did the research, the basic thesis is still valid. See the poster on my LymphActivist's Site at http://www.lymphactivist.org. Follow the RESEARCH tab to Breast Lymphedema.

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  • LAstar
    LAstar Member Posts: 1,574
    edited March 2014

    I had two nodes removed on my cancer side and have to manage for lymphedema. Because I had DCIS, there was no node involvement. Some surgeons will leave markers at the sentinel nodes at the time of MX so they can be identified later if pathology indicates a problem. Then there is no additional disruption of the lymph system. 

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