DCIS & nipple sparing mastectomy

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KeepingPositive
KeepingPositive Member Posts: 4
edited July 2016 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

I've been diagnosed with dcis and am due to have right side mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. I would like to keep the nipple but there is a risk dcis has spread there. In which case a second surgery would be needed to remove the nipple. Should I just remove the nipple with the mastectomy and have the best chance of reconstruction

Any advice?


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  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 3,257
    edited June 2016

    Only you can decide this. You could ask for a second opinion on whether nipple sparing was a good thing for your particular breast cancer or you could just decide to take it off. It is completely up to you. Hugs whatever you decide to do.

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  • Kroge6
    Kroge6 Member Posts: 14
    edited June 2016

    I had to make the same decision. At first I was horrified at the thought of loosing my nipple. But my DCIS did go up trough the nipple and I was glad they took it off and I didn't have to have a second surgery. It gets easier to look at as time goes by. Good luck with your decision.

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  • KeepingPositive
    KeepingPositive Member Posts: 4
    edited June 2016

    thanks for your feedback

    Will be glad to get all of this over with!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited June 2016

    Hi KeepingPositive,

    We just wanted to check in to see how you're doing and if you've made any decisions regarding your mastectomy.

    Please check back in often and keep us posted!

    --The Mods

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  • KeepingPositive
    KeepingPositive Member Posts: 4
    edited June 2016

    hi there

    I'm still struggling and need to decide tomorrow.

    The risk is that the mri showed up abnormalities quite close to nipple and an initial biopsy from near there had atypia ( tho not dcis) the dcis was identified towards the back of the breast.

    .so after the operation if they check the tissue from behind the nipple I could need to go back for more surgery...

    Although I would love to keep the nipple I don't want to risk more surgery or the risk of recurrence. My doctor is recommending taking the nipple.,..


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  • KeepingPositive
    KeepingPositive Member Posts: 4
    edited July 2016


    Just to let you know I decided to have the nipple removed.

    It was a good decision as the pathology shows that the dcis included the nipple tissue.

    I had immediate reconstruction and I think it looks fine to me.. Even without the nipple reconstruction that I will think about later.

    Thanks for all your help


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  • Hopefloatsinyyc
    Hopefloatsinyyc Member Posts: 211
    edited July 2016

    I went back and forth as well- but decided to have my nipples removed. I had immediate implant reconstruction, and felt ok about the decision when I awoke and looked at my chest. (I made the final decision while in OR at last minute pre-op!!) I will get ripple reconstruction and tattoo down the road.

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  • Clauclau
    Clauclau Member Posts: 88
    edited July 2016

    hi did you decided to have your nipples removed at the last minute?

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  • Clauclau
    Clauclau Member Posts: 88
    edited July 2016

    I decided to keep my nipples and today I got a call from the BS to let me know that according to my pathology test there are no more reasons for another surgery. The safe area removed around the tumor was all negative, and the tumor itself wasn't touching the skin.

    Initially, it was a pure esthetic concern. I was actually afraid to see my breast without nipples. Now I see it as a good call.

    I guess I am justBlessed to be able to make choices at this point.

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