Need advice on choosing a surgery

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Albion
Albion Member Posts: 11
edited September 2017 in Just Diagnosed

just diagnosed and cannot decide on mastectomy or lumpectomy. Any advice?

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  • MTwoman
    MTwoman Member Posts: 2,704
    edited August 2017

    So sorry you've joined our club albion! There are actually 2 different threads that have been really active in the past and go though many of the pros and cons of that particular decision. One is on the DCIS forum here: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/68/topics/806074?page=1

    and one is on the surgery forum here: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topics/857497?page=1#idx_5

    Since I don't know your stats, I just gave them both to you for your perusal. I actually feel like there is another one, more active than the one I gave you in the surgery forum, but I can't find it right now. Someone else will most likely come along soon and give that one to you as well.

    Good luck!

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  • Albion
    Albion Member Posts: 11
    edited August 2017

    Hello MTwoman, I do not know all my stats lol! I was just told on Tuesday that I have cancer, IDC. My surgery date is not even booked yet. I have to wait until after surgery to find out if it has spread and so forth. The doctor will be removing lymph nodes as well. I just cannot make up my mind, I was thinking mastectomy and then I double guess myself and choose lumpectomy. Really do not know what would be best.

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  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited August 2017

    welcome to the club no one wants to join! Those stats are really important to have. They tell you and us by extension when you share how advanced things are, rads needed or not, chemo needed or not, type of chemo needed, anti-hormonal meds needed, etc. have you had genetic testing?

    Choosing is a really personal decision that sometimes is dictated a little more by how advanced it is and/or genetic testing results. I chose bilateral mastectomy with immediate natural tissue reconstruction (no implants). Very happy I did it and would do it again. Based on my stats I was able to skip rads and chemo doesn't really work on the type I have. So surgery and anti-hormonal therapy for 5 years is my treatment plan. Feel free to ask any questions and/or PM me


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  • SSInUK
    SSInUK Member Posts: 245
    edited August 2017

    everyone's situation is soooo different. But if lumpectomy is a good safe option I personally would choose it in a heartbeat - having experienced mastectomy. Lumpectomy plus rads. Just personal view.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited August 2017

    Your Drs (Surgeon, Chemo Dr and Rad Dr) are the ones who can tell you what is probably the best TX plan for you. Should also be presented to the Tumor Board at your Facility for more input/suggestions. There are many different possible TX plans that vary quite a bit. Surgery is not always the first best plan in today's world.

    What is your ER/PR and HER2 status? These can make a difference in your TX plan. Is genetic testing in order for you (family HX of BC)?

    Have you had a full body CT/MRI with contrast, Bone Scan or PET Scan yet? These should give an idea if it has metastasized/spread which LX or UMX won't show.

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  • beach2beach
    beach2beach Member Posts: 996
    edited September 2017

    Very personal decision. Depending upon your stage and grade. Family history etc. All factors you will take in.

    I choose a BMX and had direct implants, because my sister had/has breast cancer, NED 9yrs and I have had "busy" breasts for years, between being very dense and tiny benign masses that I've had removed over the years. I did not want to go through even more surveillance of alternating MRI and mammo/sono every 6 mths. Mentally I knew I would be worried all the time. That's just me.

    Once you get all your info and you speak with your Dr., etc, you will have a better idea of what you are dealing with and treatments offered.

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  • GreenEyes81
    GreenEyes81 Member Posts: 389
    edited September 2017

    Albion, how old are you? I was given the same option, has one lump. I am 36 and after reading a LOT on here, felt it was imperative that I have an MRI due to my age and dense breasts. The MRI found two more spots and a lumpectomy was no longer even an option. If you are older and less dense breast tissue, to my understanding there is less chance of missing a spot from a mammogram.

    Good luck!

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  • Albion
    Albion Member Posts: 11
    edited September 2017

    Hello. I am 42 and I have IDC, ER+, PR+, HER2-. I do not know the stage or grade. I was told I would have to wait until after surgery to find out. My tumour however is huge, you can actually see it on my left breast close to the center of my chest at the 9'o clock position, when I lay down it looks like a grotesque monster. My breasts are rather large and dense as well. I have not had an MRI as of

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  • Mucki1991
    Mucki1991 Member Posts: 294
    edited September 2017

    I agree with green eyes also I'm 43 and started out like you with one decent size tumor 3.5 I wanted a lumpectomy but in the end could not go that route and I i had huge breast and I don't think I have bounced back as fast as others from my mastectomy. I was also cut half way around my body so maybe that's why!! If you can get a good cosmetic result that you can live with a lumpectomy is def the way to go. I would advise you to ask for an MRI and get as much info as you can before making a surgery choice. Sorry your joining the club.

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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited September 2017

    If the tumor is that large do they think they can get it out with a lumpectomy

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  • Albion
    Albion Member Posts: 11
    edited September 2017

    Yeah I have an appointment with my doctor this Tuesday and will ask for an MRI. The surgeon seems to think she can remove it via lumpectomy but I still have my concerns, she said the choice is mine but she is confident either way will be fine. Not sure how confident I am with such little to go on and still not enough info on my cancers grade or stage.

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  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited September 2017

    What about a contralateral reduction (other breast) to attempt to achieve symmetry? The problem with reconstructing a very large breast (or going flat on that side) is that is is very difficult to do—TEs don’t have that large a capacity, flap surgery would take a dangerously long time and if going flat they don’t make foobs or pocketed bras in that large a size.

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  • aussierockchick
    aussierockchick Member Posts: 12
    edited September 2017

    I loved my symetrical DD pair and If there had been any way I could have avoided my mx I would have. Having said that I am already reconstructed and not even 6 months later quite used to my new nippleless and not quite symetrical look.Looking forward to new nipple and tatoo coming soon. I can wear a bikini and you cant tell. I still have the worry of it coming back in the other breast but if it did I would still choose lx for that one if I could. Once the breast is gone it will never return. I was guided by my surgeons recommendations and would be again of course.He said I should have a silicon implant since I didnt need rads this time. If I need my tummy tissue in the future it will still be there, whereas if I had diep this time I would have less future options. Hope future options wont be needed but I thought it was a sound theory.

    Its a very personal decision that only you can make.

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  • Dianarose
    Dianarose Member Posts: 2,407
    edited September 2017

    The choice is up to you but will you get peace of mind with just a lumpectomy? I was forty three and regret every day that I didn't do a mastectomy from the get go as it came back in the other breast 8 years later and now stage IV. My onco score was a 6 and it still came back. You have to do what you are comfortable with not your doctor. It's your body, your life and future

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  • Coleen29
    Coleen29 Member Posts: 3
    edited September 2017

    Hi. I am a "newbie". I am 30 years old, married and a mom of 2 girls 3 and 5. On 9 August I learned that I have breast cancer and on the 21st of August had a lumpectomy in my right breast. I am now stuck with a few choices and need some advise please. I have a choice of chemotherapy and radiation or mastectomy. After learning I have breast cancer I totally rejected my breasts. They are small anyway and had the life sucked out of them whilst breastfeeding...lol.. Had any of you ladies had a double mastectomy and what kind did you choose. My heart is saying a skin save mastectomy vs radiation with 5 year hormone treatment.... I just been to the breast centre today and have to make my choice asap. .. would love to get in touch with other mums that has experienced the same..... thanks...

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  • Dianarose
    Dianarose Member Posts: 2,407
    edited September 2017

    Coleen- a skin sparing mastectomy is a great choice if you don't have to go through radiation and horrible chemo! Search for a good plastic surgeon and then a 3-d nipple tattoo. I was like you. My breast after nursing weren't so great . The implants are perky. Radiation shrinks the breast and makes them hard .

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  • Coleen29
    Coleen29 Member Posts: 3
    edited September 2017

    Hi D.

    Thanks for your reply. I have so much more I want to say and ask but can't get the right words... still trying to take all in. :( hopefully will have a clear mind tomorrow and will take on this decision.....

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  • Dianarose
    Dianarose Member Posts: 2,407
    edited September 2017

    Coleen- you can private message me with any questions any time.

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  • beach2beach
    beach2beach Member Posts: 996
    edited September 2017

    Coleen,

    I had a BMX with nipple sparing. Had no chemo or rads. My breasts were dense and had issues in one often but the other one was the one that turned on me. I felt since they turned on me once, they may again, and I don't regret my decision. I had an immediate implant. Small, I was before anyway, but round and perky. Feel good and am happy when I look in the mirror.( I would have been whether I would have chosen flat or implant).


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  • jenco60
    jenco60 Member Posts: 29
    edited September 2017

    Hi, may name is Jen and I am 57 years young. Oct. 2015 I participated in a Her2+ Trial, had a lumpectomy and then radiation. I would NEVER do such a crazy thing again. I was so sick and could hardly work! ER+, PR-, HER2+

    8/2017 I had a very aggressive reoccurance 6.1 CM tumor in the exact same place as my lumpectomy. My opinion is they did not or were not able to clear the markers with the lumpectomy and it came back with a vengeance. I fired my previous surgeon and oncologist and began seeking out better care. I found it with BayCare Breast Center Clearwater, Florida. Surgeon took 9 lymph nodes; 6 were positive, 3 were negative.

    I just had a left breast Mastectomy and I feel FANTASTIC. I decided to have the mastectomy first, chemo after if needed. You must take control of your own care and do your research. Seek out other sisters that have had success and failures and learn from them.

    I lost a boob, but who cares, I was so sick in between the lumpectomy and the mastectomy. I hoped and prayed for better doctors. I finally decided to have a Mastectomy. Many of my friends chose bilateral Mastectomy, I did not because my right breast has NEVER has a lump or any signs of cancer. Also, it would have been a much longer recovery period and I work full time.

    Make sure your doctor orders an MRI and a Pet Scan before any surgery. The surgeon must see it all or you are in trouble.

    You will be injected with Nuclear material just before surgery: 4 injections and they do burn and sting but they light up the breast for the surgeon and they are well worth the small amount of pain. No one ever told me about these injections so I thought I would tell you. Best to be prepared for it all. My recovery has been fantastic, you have to wear drainage tubes for a week or so and they are really no big deal.

    The only pain I have is a bruised feeling under my arm and on my left shoulder muscle. Everything else is just fine. My surgeon Dr. Kathleen Allen from Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Florida was compassionate, well skilled, and always honest. I would send everyone I know to her!!

    Not sure about the chemo , Previous experience: No more radiation it kills and burns up your skin, be careful of Taxotere and Carboplatin drugs, I still have no hair. discussion to come on 9/12/2017.

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  • MTwoman
    MTwoman Member Posts: 2,704
    edited September 2017

    Colleen, please beware of anyone who makes blanket statements about specific treatment modalities. There are many different types of bc, and each woman makes her own choices and has her own experience of the recommended treatments. Just as Jenco60 clearly had a bad experience with radiation, there are many women on these boards who did not. Try to consider your specific bc and your specific risk profile, taking into consideration your risk tolerance. Also think about what will give you the best sense of having done what you believe is the "right" amount of treatment - the amount that gives you the confidence to move forward in your life without looking back (as best as you can determine that). We each have to find that balance, and it isn't always easy. Sending you warm wishes and gentle ((hugs))

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  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited September 2017

    I agree you should have a breast MRI before making any treatment decisions. You want to make sure you know the whole picture first. My BS at a major university hospital does them on all his BC patients preoperatively. Good luck...

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  • VL22
    VL22 Member Posts: 851
    edited September 2017

    I think MTwoman says it best. I had a lumpectomy, during which a third tumor was found "hiding" behind another. This one was TN and grade 3. After some initial panic and calls to BS lamenting not getting a mastectomy, I decided I still stood by my decision. Others disagree, but to be honest I don't need or want to hear it. I'm comfortable with my decision - you really have to listen to your medical team, seek second or even third opinions if you wan and then really have a one on one with yourself.

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  • Coleen29
    Coleen29 Member Posts: 3
    edited September 2017

    Morning all.

    Thank you so much for all the feedback.

    To date I am seeing the radiotherapy doctor and young woman support group on Monday.... holding thumbs to chat to Emma Taylor today and meeting with the oncology doctors on Thursday. Getting all the facts are my first priority at the moment before making any decisions. Have a great weekend!!!! ☺

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  • MTwoman
    MTwoman Member Posts: 2,704
    edited September 2017

    Thanks for the update Coleen! Glad you've gotten your support in place and are working on putting your team and plan in place. Cheers!

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