Positive margins after bilateral mastectomy

Bumping ...Can anyone help JBLmom?

Hi Jblmom: Sorry you are going through all of this. Even once we think we have a plan in place, there often are complications and surprises. I am not certain what you are dealing with, but I had extensive DCIS, which I believed to be a relatively good thing compared to some of my options. I had to have a mx of my left breast as I am very small breasted and a lumpectomy would have basically been the same thing. I was so relieved to find out that it was completely DCIS, no node involvement and then the cruncher. A positive posterior margin. My BS would not do further surgery as she stated that it was like going in blind. DCIS does not show up so there is no way of knowing where to take more tissue. She felt my risk was still small and did not recommend radiation. But my odds of a recurrence suddenly went from 1 or 2 % to 13%. I was not happy. So I met with a radiologist and we reviewed studies that are now showing benefits of radiation following a mx. Reduces rate of recurrence to 7.5% (basically by 50%), but adds the risks of radiation. I was so torn by this decision, but opted for the radiation. I have never regretted my decision. I have nothing to add regarding the effects on reconstruction as I did not go that route. Sorry you have this added complication. As though there is not enough already to face and decide. Good luck with your decision.

JBLmom Im so sorry you are going through this. Honestly I thought I knew a lot about breast cancer and this shocks me! May I ask if you are being treated at a university based teaching hospital? Honestly I would get a second opinion before I would let the same surgeon to go back in. Don't want to over step my boundaries but this is a really upsetting especially for a young mom. Please keep us posted. Good luck.....

I am one who had a BMX with DCIS remaining in the original tumor bed afterwards. This was a complete surprise it was never detected. I did chemo prior to surgery to shrink my original tumor. This was deep against the chest wall. I did 5 weeks of rads for this with my tissue expanders. Was able to do a tissue flap reconstruction 4 months later. The radiated breast is much firmer than the prop side. Good luck. Better to get it all removed if possible. I could not get mine removed so am counting on rads to have killed the rest of it.