Oncologist - did I miss a step?

peculiargirl
peculiargirl Member Posts: 68
edited July 2015 in Just Diagnosed

Hi - I'm new here and my head is spinning! In about a 10 day period, I found a lump, went to my php, she sent me for a mammogram, consequently had a needle biopsy, got the results and met with the bc surgeon that my php recommended, She's going to do a localized guidewire lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy, followed by 6 week of radiation therapy. I'm not questioning the diagnosis or treatment plan - but shouldn't I be meeting with an oncologist before surgery?

thanks, Kathy

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

    I am one that believes that all should see a chemo Dr (MO) and a rads Dr ( RO) before any surgery. Very basically it comes down to a Surgeon does surgery, a Chemo Dr does chemo and a Rads Dr does radiation. They are all intertwined but are seperate Specialities.

    It is becoming more and more common to do neoadjuvant (pre- surgery) chemo to shrink the area and get better margins before surgery. If recon is planned that can have an effect (or be effected by) the radiation. A TX (treatment) plan should include all from the 'git-go' for the best results.

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  • plumster1
    plumster1 Member Posts: 270
    edited July 2015
    Hi Kathy-

    I just had my LX last thursday and my radiation was during surgery. My first meeting with the MO is this coming Monday. I think it really depends on your tumor profile whether you see the MO first or not. As you can see from profile below ( you can make yours visible by changing it to public in your profile settings), I did not fall into the categories kayb listed that might warrant a preop meeting. However, if you feel uncomfortable waiting I would mention it to your BS and see if you can get a preop consult too. Good luck and keep us posted :)
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  • HighTops5280
    HighTops5280 Member Posts: 11
    edited July 2015

    Second opinion. Always get a second opinion before beginning any treatment. There are many different approaches.

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

    I don't completely agree with always getting a 'second opinion'. I did not and have never regretted my choice. Certainly there are times to get 2nd, 3rd or more but not always for all. Can

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  • DiabeticCancerChick
    DiabeticCancerChick Member Posts: 30
    edited July 2015

    The breast imaging center where my mammograms and biopsy were done gave me the names of both oncologists and breast surgeons and told me to make appointments with both (before the biopsy was even done). The oncologist had an earlier availability, so hers was the first appointment I made, and by that time the pathology results from the biopsy were back. She came out to the waiting room instead of calling me in, and told me that I would not need chemo before surgery, so I needed to reschedule the appointment after my surgery was done. So for me it was breast surgeon first, but the oncologist wasn't able to make that call until my appointment was made, paperwork filled out and path results looked at.

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  • BrooksideVT
    BrooksideVT Member Posts: 2,211
    edited July 2015

    Do ask if your hospital has a tumor board. If so, your biopsy has already been reviewed by breast surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists (and probably a couple of additional "ist's"). Together, they will come to a joint recommendation as to your next step. In my case, that was surgery first, rads second. I could, of course, have scheduled a visit with an MO before surgery, but my feeling was the board already had all the information there was to be had, and so did I. The MO would have had no new information to offer.

    I met the MO and RO on the same day, a couple of weeks after surgery. Rads was scheduled and the MO sent a slice of my tumor to the oncotype people, to determine whether chemo would be advisable, which it was not.

    In other words, feel free to schedule as many appointments with as many docs (including your pcp) as you feel appropriate, but also grill your patient navigator and/or surgeon as to the who, what, where, why, and when, stuff. Oh, and the breast surgeon is the breast specialist, so even if chemo comes first, he probably needs to see you before any other treatments happen, just because he needs to understand the geography of your breast.

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  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited July 2015

    I sent you a private message

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  • CAMommy
    CAMommy Member Posts: 437
    edited July 2015

    well your BS can't do radiation so you'll need a RO for sure. A MO is you need chemo or hormonal therapy. I met with all mine before my surgery.

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