Princess Margaret or Sunnybrook for DCIS stage 2 surgery

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Farnad373
Farnad373 Member Posts: 6
edited January 2016 in Just Diagnosed

I have been recently diagnosed DCIS stage 2 in my right breast. My FP referred me to Sunnybrook where Dr. Claire Holloway (surgeon) recommended for lumpectomy and then radiation.

Now, my friends and family members are asking me to switch to Prince Margaret ASAP and get the surgery there. They told me that princess Magaret is the only hospital which has world reknowned experienced doctors expertise in breast cancer

I am bit confused, is there any one who can guide me how to switch to Princess Margaret and get the surgery done immediately without wasting of time.

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  • tanyarocks30
    tanyarocks30 Member Posts: 68
    edited January 2016

    you have to be referred

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  • Lilyn
    Lilyn Member Posts: 282
    edited January 2016

    Hi Farnad Sunnybrook, North York and PMH are all excellent hospitals for surgery and cancer care. Sunnybrook has the Odette Cancer which is where I had my radiation, had breast surgery at North York General and had chemothere as well. Sounds like friends and family are in panic mode. They are all excellent

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  • LisaAlissa
    LisaAlissa Member Posts: 1,092
    edited January 2016

    Hi Farnad!

    I'm so sorry to hear that you have to deal with this. But I'm a little confused about your description. If it's DCIS (only) it can't be more than Stage 0. I'm wondering if you've confused grade and stage? DCIS is always Stage 0, but the cancer cells will be assigned a "Grade" of 1, 2 or 3. So you might have DCIS which is Grade 2.

    If your cancer is Stage 2, then you must have some other sort of cancer along with the DCIS. Maybe IDC?

    At any rate, take a look at your pathology report and let us know...I'm guessing it's DCIS only. Which would be good news!

    Hang in there,

    LisaAlissa

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  • Farnad373
    Farnad373 Member Posts: 6
    edited January 2016

    Hi LisaAlissa, Thanks for clarifying the things, actually I have IDC on my right breast having a lump around 5 cm, while I have DCIS on my left breast. Surgeon at Sunnybrook recommended for lumpectomy for removal of lump at right breast  and taking out suspicious material from left breast for further pathological investigation. Please guide me PMH or Sunnybrook?? Lumpectomy or Mastectomy??

    I have also family history, my younger sister (42 years old) passed  away in six months after diagnoses of stage 4 breast cancer.

    My surgeon is recommended for BRCA (gene test) before surgery.

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  • Lolis197138
    Lolis197138 Member Posts: 512
    edited January 2016

    Farnad, I am sorry for your diagnosis and for your loss!!! It must have been very hard!!

    I had my mastectomy at Princess Margaret, like my breast surgeon. She is not a people's person but very good at her job. My surgery was under 1 hour.

    I have hear good things about Sunnybrook. It depends on your preference. I would still go with PMH if I had to do it again.

    Definitely do the genetic testing before you go for the surgery.

    Good luck.

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  • Grinataly
    Grinataly Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2016

    Hi, I had left mastectomy in PMH last February. My Family doctor who I absolutely trust recommended me to go to PM. I was pretty happy (if I can use this word in that situation) I was with Doctor Leong and his diagnose was 100% confirmed after surgery. By the way, I did genetic test too but after surgery.

    Good luck!!!

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  • rozem
    rozem Member Posts: 1,375
    edited January 2016

    Sunnybrook is a world class center...right up there with PMH. I think they are 1 and 2 in Canada. You will be in great hands at either. I was treated at Sunnybrook. I have heard great things about Dr Halloway

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  • Ridley
    Ridley Member Posts: 634
    edited January 2016

    they are both regional cancer centres, and have programs that specialize in breast cancer. I had a second opinion at sunnybrook and my bilateral mastectomy and recon at pmh. I found both to be good. Dr Holloway was my aunt's surgeon and I think heads up their breast cancer program. You could always go for a second opinion at pmh after you have your full pathology from surgery. Good luck

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  • rozem
    rozem Member Posts: 1,375
    edited January 2016

    just a note...I tried to get a second opinion at PMH as well just because I was doing neo adjuvant and not many people were doing chemo prior to surgery almost 5 years ago (which shows how cutting edge SB was at the time) - they basically told me it would be almost impossible due to back log, I asked anyway and got the appointment AFTER I finished treatment. Such is public healthcare!

    as Ridley said they both have dedicated Breast Centers, they both specialize in breast cancer which means they have BREAST surgeons not general surgeons looking after you. You would be able to have rads at either as well - one of only a few in Ontario (most centers do not have radiation facilities)

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  • Farnad373
    Farnad373 Member Posts: 6
    edited January 2016

    Thanks for guidance from all members.

    I approached PMH for 2nd opinion, after that I will take my final decision.

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  • Farnad373
    Farnad373 Member Posts: 6
    edited January 2016

    Today, I met Dr. Leong for second opinion at PMH, he told me the same treatment plan as suggested by Dr Claire Holloway at Sunnybrook.

    But there was one difference that is chemotherapy, Dr. Leong says that 5 months chemotherapy is must after that radiation will be started.

    While Dr Holloway says no need for chemotherapy only 6 weeks radiation is required.

    I am confused to whom should I follow and why there is big difference in treatment plan.

    Please guide me so that I can take right step

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  • rozem
    rozem Member Posts: 1,375
    edited January 2016

    farnad. Wow. That is a very big difference in treatment protocols Did the PMH Dr. explain why you need chemotherapy ? You wrote DCIS but if you are stage 2 you must have invasive cancer There are some main reasons why you would need chemo 1) aggressive tumour biology 2) her2/ triple negative 3) more advanced stage

    Did Dr Holloway explain why she thought that you could pass on chemo ?


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  • Farnad373
    Farnad373 Member Posts: 6
    edited January 2016

    Actually I have IDC in right breast (5 cm lump), DCIS in left breast, ER+, PR-, HER2-

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  • Ridley
    Ridley Member Posts: 634
    edited January 2016

    farnad Have you met with a medical oncologist? That is who recommends chemo. Both Holloway and Leong are surgeons. Don't be afraid to ask one of Holloway or Leong why the difference. They know each other and can talk to one another - it's a small community.

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