Is a radical mastectomy indicated?

Options
moody001
moody001 Member Posts: 5
edited September 2017 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
I am Hr2 + breast cancer. I have had 12 treatments of taxol, perjecta and herceptin every three weeks and will continue herceptin for a year along with radiation. My CAT scan and MRI showed no evidence of cancer in my breast or my lymph glands. My oncologist said he would instruct the surgeon to do a radical mastectomy removing all lymph glands - not just the ones that looked suspicious in the beginning. Is this reasonable? I am scared to death especially if that includes the removal of pectoral muscles. Please give me some feed back. I am alone in this decision since my husband has died and I don't know where to turn. Carolyn C. (moody001)
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • NotVeryBrave
    NotVeryBrave Member Posts: 1,287
    edited September 2017

    Almost no one does radical mastectomies anymore. And I'm not sure why your oncologist would be "instructing" your surgeon on their job.

    What did your initial scans show? There was some early concern about a couple of my lymph nodes - even though a biopsy was negative. At the time of surgery, only the SNB was done and all three nodes were negative.

    I'm hoping that you are seeing a breast surgeon and can discuss this with them.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • moody001
    moody001 Member Posts: 5
    edited September 2017

    Thanks for responding! The initial scans showed a 7 ml. lump and two nodes looked suspicious. This is no longer the case according to my latest CAT and MRI. The lump is gone and the nodes look clear.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • moody001
    moody001 Member Posts: 5
    edited September 2017

    Thanks for responding! The initial scans showed a 7 ml. lump and two nodes looked suspicious. This is no longer the case according to my latest CAT and MRI. The lump is gone and the nodes look clear. Your treatment make sense. In my case the oncologist seems to be calling the shots. The surgeon's plan sounded a lot like your treatment. I fear he must follow the oncologist's advice. Probably I should talk to the surgeon. It sounds like you are going to have a very good outcome. Were there any residual edema from the lymph node removal?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Outfield
    Outfield Member Posts: 1,109
    edited September 2017

    I've never met a surgeon who would take "instruction" from an internist - Oncology is a subspecialty of Internal Medicine. They'll talk together and formulate plans, but when it comes down to it, the surgeon is responsible for what happens in the OR.

    When do you see the surgeon? That person should be the one to answer questions about the surgery.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NotVeryBrave
    NotVeryBrave Member Posts: 1,287
    edited September 2017

    They only did the SNB at the time of BMX. It was 3 nodes total on the left side and no cancer at all in nodes or breast. I had no lymphedema. Plenty of swelling from surgery but that resolved normally.

    I did do a few weeks of PT at a local center that had people trained for lymphedema. They did initial measurements in both arms just to document. I'm careful about no blood pressure checks, blood draws, etc on the left.

    Meet with your surgeon and discuss your thoughts. See what they say. And a second opinion may be helpful as well.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories