Post Reconstruction surveillance

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geroNP23
geroNP23 Member Posts: 32
edited July 2014 in Breast Reconstruction

I am trying to find the guidelines that monitor women for post-mastectomy monitoring for recurrence; I have had a bilateral nipple-sparing mastectomy (DCIS, stage 0, intermediate grade). Nodes were clear. But after all that is said and done, how do they monitor for recurrence? While my BS said she got all the breast tissue....I still wonder. I have had a good friend find cancer post bilateral mastectomy. I have had manual screens by oncologist and PS (prepping for fat-grafting and implant pocket revision), but should we be getting an MRI or US? Tough to find any info on this.....thanks in advance! 

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  • besa
    besa Member Posts: 1,088
    edited July 2014

    Bumping this up for geroNP23--

    Possibly someone with implant reconstruction can chime in.....

    There is no way that they can get absolutely all breast tissue.  I have tissue reconstruction but there may be information more specific to implants.  There are no firm guidelines that I know of in terms of post mastectomy with reconstruction surveillance. 

     I am more aware of what the options are with tissue reconstructions- some bs just do manual exams, some order MRIs, some do mammograms sometimes with US.  Because of family history I think I am considered somewhat high risk.  My current bs does manual exams with 3-D mammograms, my prior bs ordered mammograms and MRIs in addition to manual exams.  (I was recently followed for a tiny lump that turned out to be an oil cyst and then they use 3-D mammogram and US.)

    With implant reconstruction wouldn't you need an MRI anyway every couple of years to make sure the implants have not ruptured?

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited July 2014

    My screening beside CBEs by my onco is an annual MRI. I've seen some issues w getting MRIs approved on these boards, but I've never had any trouble. 

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  • Staple
    Staple Member Posts: 35
    edited July 2014

    My BS said he would see me once a year for five years.  He did a manual exam and nothing else.

     

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  • NatsFan
    NatsFan Member Posts: 3,745
    edited July 2014

    My BS and PS both followed up with me for 5 years, doing a manual exam each time.  Now my gyn, PCP, and MO all do a thorough manual exam at my annual appointments, with particular attention to the chest wall and scar areas.  At my MO's suggestion, I have staggered the annual appointments so they're scheduled at 4 month intervals - I see my MO in July, my PCP in November, and my gyn in March.  That way I'm getting a professional chest exam at least 3 times a year.  I have no scans or other exams. 

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