How long from diagnosis to surgery?

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maxdog
maxdog Member Posts: 147
edited June 2015 in Just Diagnosed

Hi, I was wondering how long it took people to get from diagnosis to surgery. I was diagnosed 4/30 and have a tentative surgery date of 6/30. This may get moved up if surgeon and plastics can find an earlier OR time. It just seems like a long time to wait!

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited May 2015

    it depends also on whether neoadjuvant chemo (before surgery) is being done, but if you are going straight to surgery it sounds as if it's mainly scheduling issues between BS and PS. How very annoying and scary.

    I wanted it out if me. I pushed every test, every biopsy, every everything, to get surgery done within a week of dx. I was not having reconstruction. Didn't want any more pain than necessary. And no regrets.

  • Mag1913
    Mag1913 Member Posts: 20
    edited May 2015

    Scheduling does sound like it might be the issue. If you live in a bigger city more surgeries to schedule around. Sorry you have too wait such a long period of time!

    Had my mammo on 4/29, biopsy on 5/8, diagnosed on 5/12 and my surgery for a lumpectomy is scheduled for 5/21

  • Scwilly
    Scwilly Member Posts: 489
    edited May 2015

    Whether waiting 2 months is an issue will depend on your diagnosis. IDC stage 3 is very different to DCIS.

    For my original diagnosis I waited 17 days from dx to chemo, and then 1 month from end of chemo to surgery. I was very concerned with the 17 days after my stage 3b grade 2, triple negative inflammatory bc dx (1 week before I had my mammogram and biopsy) but I was reassured I would be kept busy with scans etc and 17 days would not be harmful. When I was dx with DCIS in mid Feb, I felt I was not under such pressure and so waiting until April 6th (5ish weeks) for my recon and mx did not feel too long.

    Anytime to wait is so hard. These early stages are really difficult as I remember and you will feel so much better once you are on your journey to recovery.

  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited May 2015

    There are many things that come into play as to how fast after DX til surgery.

    Different types of BC have different protocol and time frame. For some of us, we have to do neoadjuvant chemo (chemo before surgery) so it can be quite a while. For others, surgery is first.

  • December
    December Member Posts: 108
    edited May 2015

    Maxdog, I'm new myself - I'm sorry you are with us - but all of us wll help as we can. I was dxed 2/9. But my BMx with recon was just 5/6 - I was worried about it being a long time - and yes, it was a scheduling problem. But I was told that ILC cancer was slow to grow. In the past few weeks I went from "Its just a little tiny tumor" to a couple of days ago when I got my path report back - 5cm, Stage 3 - Looking at axillary surgery soon, probably adding a port then, perhaps reversing the reconstruction beginnings because of probable Rads. So, what I'm saying, is that if the end results make you happy, then you will be happy with your choices. If the end results were not as expected, you won't be happy with results. If I had it do do over, I would have waited on the reconstruction for 2 reasons; 1 quicker sugery and 2 Determine Rads before implants. But if my path report would have come back as expected, I would have been pleased to stilll be stage 2, and able to keep my nipple/skin - which now looks like I'm going to lose -....Lots of people wait several weeks for the surgery. Hind sight is 20/20~

    Follow what feels right for you. On the upside - this gives you time to prepare mentally, physically, and spirtually. Good luck!

    Blessings, Prayers, Hope & Laughter

    Vol4Life in TN

  • maxdog
    maxdog Member Posts: 147
    edited May 2015

    thanks all. I have IDC Er+,PR+, HER-, grade 3. I am having a double mastectomy with TE's placed. I just want this done!

  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited May 2015


    it may be different for each, but me diagnosed September, started chemo in October to shrink tumor, for three months, then surgery, L mast, December 17th, then i had three months after surgery of chemo, then we got married in May, for we were planning Our wedding when i found the lump, then radiation for 7 wks, 5 days a week, (Praise GOD) i am now a 21 Yr SURVIVOR

  • maxdog
    maxdog Member Posts: 147
    edited May 2015

    bump....anyone else want to share?!

  • HMS7903
    HMS7903 Member Posts: 4
    edited May 2015

    Biopsy on Wednesday, diagnosis the following Tuesday, meeting with surgeon on Wednesday and surgery on Friday. God bless Canadian healthcare system.

  • MariaTeresaG
    MariaTeresaG Member Posts: 38
    edited May 2015

    Found a lump March 7, 2015. Diagnostics March 16. Biopsy March 23. I received the cancer call 3 days later. My husband and I met with the surgeon the next day. 5 days later I had an MRI. I met with the oncologist one week after the MRI. I chose to wait until May 15 for lumpectomy and node dissection , because my husband was undergoing treatment for adenocarcinoma of the GEJ, and his esophagectomy was scheduled for April 16. I was told not to go beyond 2 months of diagnosis date for the surgery. I hope this information helps.

  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited May 2015

    I was diagnosed on the left side on April 3rd, the right side on April 27th (breast MRI on April 17th showed a mass). My BMX is scheduled for June 1st. I saw three plastic surgeons before deciding on one, then they had to work with everyone's schedules to get a date set. I was a little worried about the wait at first, but I've read a few studies on the subject and it seems that waiting a couple of months isn't a problem.

  • bettysgirl
    bettysgirl Member Posts: 938
    edited May 2015

    Was dx'd in june, mri to confirm size, consult with PS but was told that to schedule surgeon and PS would take time..Knowing that chemo and rads were coming and after a less than encouraging appt with PS i did surgery with no recon in july-

  • maxdog
    maxdog Member Posts: 147
    edited May 2015

    I have appt with surgeon on Friday. I am going to ask if I delay reconstruction, can I get in to surgery sooner. I would just really like to get it done in 1 surgery to start.

  • Sam2U
    Sam2U Member Posts: 233
    edited May 2015


    Maxdog-not trying to sway your decision but you need to have all of the information....surgery with fully delayed reconstruction if you need rads may mean a different type or outcome for reconstruction, just discuss with plastic surgeon.

     

    My mammo was in September, first biopsy 10/7, with first diagnosis 10/9.  SNB 11/2, then Mx 12/13, with no treatment between.  When I expressed concerned to my SO about the wait between the diagnosis and surgery, he felt that the timeline was acceptable and within the guidelines--wasn't comforting to me during the process, but when faced with cancer it is natural to "want it out NOW."

     

  • Starwood
    Starwood Member Posts: 2
    edited May 2015

    I was dx'd May 11, ILC, left, 2.6 cm, 100% estrogen sensitive, HER2 negative. After discussion with BS, have scheduled surgery (lumpectomy) for late July due to couple long-planned trips. Surgeon placed me on anti-estrogen drugs right away and because of the low growth rate is comfortable with the delay. Granted, surgery can reveal more complicated picture and the idea of getting the tumor out ASAP is highly attractive. But I have to learn to trust someone in all this, and my surgeon has lots of experience and has had cancer twice herself...so she has a bit better perspective of it than most I think. Getting as much info as possible is critical, I think, and also remembering each and every case of breast cancer is unique. I try to not get too entangled in other people's stories for that reason...just take from others' experiences what can help you. Good luck on your journey and wishing for you a good outcome.

  • smgreen0731
    smgreen0731 Member Posts: 7
    edited May 2015

    I was wondering the same thing. I was diagnosed April 14 with IDC and just started anti-hormone therapy. I go in next Thursday to talk with my onc about surgery. I want this out of me asap so I can move on with my life and I do not do well with the waiting game.

  • shelleym1
    shelleym1 Member Posts: 298
    edited May 2015

    had my surgery consult on 12/3, thanks to the holidays surgery did not take place until 1/12. It felt like eternity.

  • hyphencollins
    hyphencollins Member Posts: 109
    edited May 2015

    I just replied to another thread about wait time for biopsy and then I saw this so I guess I'll chime in here, too! I was diagnosed mid-May last year ( I honestly don't remember the date) and didn't have surgery until 7.31. I did have a lot of delays with follow up testing and also took a weeks vacation that June but basically the surgeon and plastic surgeon were on vacation throughout July and so I waited...

  • MoonRabbit
    MoonRabbit Member Posts: 12
    edited June 2015

    I am also concerned about my timeline. Biopsy 4/15, consult diagnosis 4/21 of IDC (1mm), DCIS and AHD; MRI, MRI biopsy, BS 2nd opinion resulted in MX recommendation. Then 2 PS consults. Finally decided on DIEP flap. Now can't find DIEP surgeon in area so am starting over with Mercy Medical BS and PS consult 6/16/15. That's 8 weeks post diagnosis and still no surgery date. Should I just bag it and get surgery with TE to get this over with? I can always do DIEP later. Hard to get a professional opinion. One BS says guideline is should have surgery within 4 weeks and urging to do "as soon as possible". Other BS says July or August will be too late but 6/16 consult is OK. Trouble is, I will get to the consult and they may provide surgery date of late July. Any thoughts?

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