newly diagnosised, stage 2 IDC

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nitengirl1
nitengirl1 Member Posts: 38
edited September 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Trying to sort out lumpectomy vs masectomy, reconstruction for a 38D chest.  Still waiting on cell receptor type or Hert2.  Feelling very sad.

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  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited September 2014

    Hi Debby,

    I recognize you from another forum, but thought I could offer some insights here.

    I also had to choose between lumpectomy and mastectomy. I started with 38Gs. I had a lumpectomy with oncoplastic reconstruction (reduction and lift) on both sides. I'm still swollen, but have plenty of breast tissue left... maybe a full C to D. I must say, they look good, too.

    There were many things that influenced my decision. The size of the cancerous area was small. I was considered to be at an early stage. With a lumpectomy and radiation, my prognosis was the same as with a mastectomy. (This was of utmost importance.) I thought about it and weighed all the options. I'm pre-menopausal, too.  Mx is a major surgery. It is a very personal decision.

    I still feel sad from time to time. The women who were happiest with their outcomes are the ones who have choices... which means us!

    Let me know if you have any specific questions. Hope this helps.

    Poppy

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  • Lori1967
    Lori1967 Member Posts: 66
    edited September 2014

    I am a G cup, which made my surgeon very happy. I didn't have a choice, he recommended lumpectomy and that's what I went with.

    My tumour was large, but I don't really see any difference in appearance.

    It was on the news last night, the surge of women getting mastecomies when they could have done the lumpectomy. It is still recommended to do the lumpectomy, less invasive etc....

    But if I have problems, I'll always wonder if I should have gone all the way.

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  • Blondie7
    Blondie7 Member Posts: 12
    edited September 2014

    I had a choice between lumpectomy and mastectomy. I was a A cup prior to IDC dx and had already had a prior excision for atypical hyperplasia on the same breast which took out some tissue so there would possibly have been a tissue defect in the breast. I also had a history of lobular carcinoma in situ on the left side as well. Due to these factors and family hx of BC, I elected to have BMX (prophylactically on the left). I didn't want to worry and wonder about what might be had I decided on just the lumpectomy. For my situation it is what I was most comfortable with and I haven't regretted it.

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  • kamm
    kamm Member Posts: 140
    edited September 2014

    I saw that on the news again last night as well but again survival is not the only reason we choose mastectomy. Personal history, family history, quality of life issues in regards to future scanning, doctor visits and the anxiety associated with that are only a few. In my opinion, the best breast surgeons are the ones who understand this. 

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  • nitengirl1
    nitengirl1 Member Posts: 38
    edited September 2014

    Thanks Poppy,  Sometimes choices makes it harder!  I'm happy with the size I am now but I think to make them match I will have shrink the good size or Get something to fill up the bad size.  Of course nipple reconstr is a whole other decsion to figure out.

    debby

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  • nitengirl1
    nitengirl1 Member Posts: 38
    edited September 2014

    Thanks Ladies.  I know its a hard and personal decsion to make.  Masectomy means no radiation and starting completely over with rebuilding the breast.  Lumpectomy means at least radiation, trying to work with what I have left  and a chance or needing more surgery after the final pathology.  I am second generation breast cancer, although my mom had in post menapause and not in the ductal area.  My surgeon feels that lumpectomy is still the way to go with me.  I'm trying to figure out what will look the best when all is said and done and the cancer is gone if they have the same survival rates.

    debby

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  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited September 2014

    I think it's good that the BS recommends lumpectomy, because you still have choices....even if they are difficult ones. Have you met with a PS? Has your BS given you an idea of how much tissue would be removed, and from where? This may help you decide whether you would be happy with the cosmetic results of a Lx.

    There is also a thread on the forum that addresses things to consider Mx v Lx. You may want to check it out.

    Wish you the best as you work through this and make the decision that is best for YOU!

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  • SmartassSmurf
    SmartassSmurf Member Posts: 157
    edited September 2014

    niten girl

    It is hard to wrap your head around the choice for lumpectomy vs mastectomy.

    My own journey started with the same choice. I was a 34DDD with what was believed to be a 2cm tumor on the right side & a small Masson the left that later turned out to be benign. I did lumpectomy on both, but was unable to get a clear margin on the right.

    I went through chemo, and was scheduled for a second surgery. I did tons of research & met with a plastic surgeon for a consult of what if...I called a few people who had gone through both surgeries, and they were kind enough to share their experiences.

    I initially was going to do a lumpectomy for the second surgery, but ultimately determined in my situation a BMX made the most sense.

    Having been through both, I think I would have been good with the lumpectomy if my surgical journey ended there. The information on how effective chemo and radiation are after lumpectomy is really positive and equal to mastectomy.

    I had some additional issues that made mastectomy a better choice for me, and I am confident and happy with my choice. Surprisingly, my swelling and pain were less after BMX than the lumpectomy, but I did have nodes out at the same time as the lumpy, so that makes a difference.

    Someone mentioned that you do not have to have radiation after mastectomy, I am here to say sometimes you do. I am 21 sessions into my 33 treatments. After next week I will have 5 boost rads to my mastectomy scar. 

    Whatever you decide, do what is right for you. Both are acceptable medical practices & you are the one who has to live with your decisions. Good luck!

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  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited September 2014

    I thought about lumpectomy, cause at the time I found lump I was planning my wedding to my wonderful now husband, but back then my chances for long term were better with mast, I wanted lumpectomy so as not to go into my new marriage with one breast, reconstruction didn,t take my body rejected the implant and removed, I am now a 20 yr Survivor(Praise GOD) i chose the right one for me. msphil(idc,stage2, 0/3 nodes L mast, chemo and rads and 5 yrs on tamoxifen)  

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