Trying to decide which surgery.
I had stage 3 IDC with several lymph nodes+, close to 10 years ago, had a lumpectomy, chemo and rads. Now a new IDC, probably stage 2, in my other breast. My initial thought is to go with a bilateral mastectomy and no reconstruction, but my surgeon feels a lumpectomy is more appropriate as the new tumor is small. I've tried to convince myself the surgeon is right, but my instincts still go the other way. I'm going for genetic testing tomorrow, surgeon thinks it may help with my decision.
Would really love to hear opinions!
Comments
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I've never been where you are, but I always believe in following my instincts, as I trust them. Do whatever will give you the peace of mind and QOL you need to move forward with no regrets. Sometimes when we face such problems, we have a knee-jerk, emotional reaction, rather than a rational reaction. Gather whatever information you need before you decide. Although, probably well qualified, etc., your surgeon is not in your shoes. You could always seek a second opinion. It's a hard decision, but only yours to make. Best Wishes~
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Smilesbette-
You might want to try cross-posting your question in our Surgery forum: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91, maybe someone there can offer some insight or help with your decision.
The Mods
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I feel like each individual's decision is unique. I know that after a lumpectomy and re-excision, when my margins were not clean, I unequivocally chose BMX. Every doctor said, "This is not medically necessary." However, with dense breasts (no evidence of cancer on mammograms or MRI), I was certain that I did not want to live with that uncertainty. After my BMX, the pathology showed that I did have pre-cancers and cancer in the other breast. In a strange way, this news almost made me happy? I felt like I made the right decision for myself. I did not have reconstruction; so, the recovery was not too difficult for me - just tylenol after surgery. I began walking laps in the hospital the day of my surgery. I may choose diep reconstruction down the road. (Reconstruction seems to make recovery tougher?) For now, I wear prostheses. The ALND left me with a seroma and then Lymphedema. However, I would have had the same issues with a Lumpectomy. I will say that wearing the prostheses on a hot summer day can be very sticky (they are like little insulators trapping body heat). Sometimes I miss my breasts. I still am happy with my choices so far. I would NOT recommend a choice for you, though. It's a major surgery and can change your life significantly. I think that you should weigh your own needs and desires. I think that many breast surgeons promote lumpectomies over mastectomies these days. Would you need radiation after the BMX? (I did not.) I hope that you will get the answers that you need to make this decision. Wishing you strength and clarity.
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So sorry you are going through this again, as am I, after 10 years. I had mastectomy without reconstruction for ILC in 2004. The problem with mastectomy is that once the breast is gone, it is assumed you are cured. Not so. However no more mammos or anything until you feel or see something.
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