Weill Cornell Or Memorial Sloan Kettering

Kareen
Kareen Member Posts: 2
edited September 2016 in Just Diagnosed

Hello. I'm reaching out to the community for opinions. I have been diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer. Invasive ductal carcinoma. I have gone to three opinions. I thought I was going with dr Lisa sclafani from MSK. She came very highly recommended. Their was something about the cookie cutter protocol that didn't sit right with me - lumpectomy with radiation to the entire breast. Possibly chemo & hormone therapy depending on the oncotype findings a two inch scar above the nipple. The Cornell dr is dr rache simmons she also recommended a lumpectomy with minimal scarring either through sentinel node biopsy or an incision under my nipple. Possibly five days of radiation or more depending on oncotype findings.

Has anyone had the five day intense radiation to diseased area only? Opposed to the standard dose to entire area? Has anyone had experience with the Drs? Thank you

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  • Michelle_in_cornland
    Michelle_in_cornland Member Posts: 1,689
    edited August 2016

    The surgery and treatment depends on type of cancer cells. The biopsy cells can tell them if you are hormone receptive, meaning estrogen and progesterone positive. Since you are stage one, there is a protocol for lumpectomy, radiation (5 weeks), and a SERM - drug that blocks estrogen. No matter where you go, the protocol is the same and is successful. Sloan Kettering would be my choice. They deal with bc all day, every day, hundreds of patients a week. If there is a new study or anything that could enhance your treatment, they will know. Try to find a surgeon that does oncoplastic type surgery. Minimal scarring with maximum edges, getting the most tissue surrounding the abnormal cells.

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  • Kareen
    Kareen Member Posts: 2
    edited September 2016

    Thank you for your response Michelle. Dr Simmons does minimal scarring nipple sparing surgery.

    However recommended the possibility of radiation to diseased area only. This is where I'm lost. Radiate diseased area or entire breast.

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  • TarheelMichelle
    TarheelMichelle Member Posts: 871
    edited September 2016

    Kareen, in 2008, when I had Stage I, my entire left breast was radiated. I didn't have any problems with radiation. I have breast implants, no hardening or issues with those. My cancer returned a few years later, and looking at the PET scan results, the area of my left breast had no cancer. The recurrence was on my right side, lungs and bones. I believe the radiation protected my left side, which is where my initial cancer was, in the left breast.

    I became a patient at Sloan Kettering when I was diagnosed with Stage IV. I'll be celebrating 5 years with Stage IV in a few months. I highly recommend Sloan Kettering. The approach to Stage I is very "cookie cutter," to be honest. There isn't a treatment at this moment that is better than surgery. When breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body, there are other ways to attack. That can be a positive for you, because you don't have to agonize over treatment options.

    Wishing the best possible outcome for you.

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