Mastectomy one or both?

HI

I had only the involved breast removed, had one tumor in it and 2 of 3 nodes had mets. The radiology doc told me that with a TNBC diagnosis the chance of a recurrence locally is small. He said with TNBC, if there was recurrence it would more likely be elsewhere, so in his opinion I could keep other breast. My surgeon agreed, but said I could have both removed, and do nothing else, or have both removed and have reconstruction. I could also keep one and reconstruct the other but they wouldn't match. Since my husband was very ill at the time, and I had small breasts and I was in my 60's, I just had the one removed and left it at that. The surgeon did say I could do recon down the road if I wanted to, but the older I get the less I feel like doing that.

Good luck, you do have lots of options!

Mary

I was diagnosed with TNBC in March 2017, and I am 54 years old. I had a unilateral mastectomy followed by chemo for four months because of the tumor size. No lymph node involvement. I chose to only have the right breast removed because it's my understanding that my risk of developing cancer in the left breast is no more than that of the average woman. I did have an MRI to be certain there was no cancer in the left breast. My reconstruction was on November 2, and I am very happy with my decision! I feel like at least I have one breast with feeling, and it looks AMAZING since I chose to have a little augmentation done to match the reconstructed breast. My reconstructed breast still has a bit of healing to do, but I feel confident that it, too, will look fantastic in a few months. With my clothes on, it's impossible to tell mine are not both real.

It's a tough decision, for sure, and I am so sorry you are having to deal with this at such a young age. I remember thinking when I had my mastectomy that I couldn't imagine having a double and not being able to use both arms. It is nice to have at least one side of your body not in pain. As far as the worry of recurrence, I understand your concern. I know that I'll always think about the possibility, but between the unilateral mastectomy and the chemo, I just have to believe that I've done all I can to be cancer free. Best of luck to you!

I have stalked this board for a few years and created an acct to respond to this thread! I was diagnosed at 40. Found a lump after second child was born and turned out tnbc. No family history or genetic propensity. Initially I decided on a single mastectomy with recon. I did surgery first then chemo. As I went through chemo it gave me time to think. I initially went for single bc I was stressed to make a decision and went on the facts that getting it in the second breast is not common. Also why just take away body parts!? During treatment I thought about it an asked my oncologist. She put it to me this way...post treatment I would need a mammo every 3 mo on the unaffected breast. If they found anything I would be back for a biopsy and mentally take me back to day 1. This was enough to confirm the direction I was thinking. I went back and had the other side done and never looked back. The surgery was not as bad as I expected. Everyone has their own path but I wanted to share my experience

I am having a difficult time deciding what to do. I was diagnosed in 1998 with Stage 1 DCIS ER+ and had lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. Fast forward to September 2017, Stage II Triple Negative, same breast. Did 4x over 8 weeks of AC which was a bitch and now finished 2 treatments of Taxol and have 10 more to go. Trying to talk my surgeon into BMX which she is warming up to. Now that she will do the bilateral I'm terrified of the reconstruction numbness, tightness, potential arm pain and any other complication that might happen. I don't want to go through this again but don't wan to regret reconstruction. Anyone happy with their decision after BMX to do reconstruction with implants?n

Hi. I am 41 and am in the same boat. I am not sure which way to go either. My surgery is coming up December 7 and need to decide if I am taking just the affected breast or both off. My cancer is TN and was missed on mamo. And then another smaller cancer was missed in the same breast and recently showed up on my MRI. I am BRCA neg with dense breasts. So I am afraid another cancer will be missed on the "healthy" side.

It is a really hard choice to remove a healthy breast but at the same time we have all been through so much that it makes it hard to imagine not removing the other breast- for peace of mind.

My BS said I should be 100% sure of my decision- but that she supports me either way. My PS said that while he normally tries to talk women out of a BMX, he can see why I would want to do it in my situation and thinks its a good idea.

I am really struggling with this decision and wish I knew which way to go but am leaning toward taking both off. I don't want to decide later to do it and got through the surgery again. Would rather get them done at the same time and be done with it.

Not sure if this helps butt at least you know you are not alone in feeling unsure about what to do.

I have 2 tumors in my right breast. The left is clear--just a benign cyst. My initial impulse was to do a BMX, even though I'm not at risk with the BRCA gene, either..but after taking some time to do some research I decided against it. My main concern was a) losing all feeling in my breasts, and b) the recovery time of a double. I'm a model. I'm self-employed. I can't be down that long. When I researched the risks, it turns out that a unilateral MX doesn't put you at any more risk than a bilateral. I think some people think a bilateral is a cure-all and will ensure you don't get recurrence, but that's simply not the case. Many doctors are becoming alarmed at the number of women who are choosing to get rid of healthy breasts because 1 is cancerous.

Some women also do it for symmetry, but my surgeon thinks that won't be a problem.

Saundra559 and Smithamber70: When I started down this road I did not know my genetic status, had no bc history in family and was told I could not have recon at time of mastectomy. Nor was a bilateral mastectomy an option. My medical team wanted the known tumour removed asap, via lumpectomy or mx. I chose mastectomy. Fortunately I read about a woman my age who 10 years later pursued reconstruction. It made me think. And helped at a time when it was there was a lot of information to digest and a new reality to come to grips with. When my genetic results came in I pursued a second mastectomy. I am nearly 8 years out and amazed at how happy I am with my body. No reconstruction. When I was a uni-boober I tended to wear my prosthesis. Now I don't wear prosthesis, but have them for when I do want them. I am athletic, healthy and happy. I was 48 at the time of my diagnosis and have been married for 33 years.

It is such a personal decision. Sometimes there is more than one right answer. Best wishes!

Jody

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences, Lifeisgood46! We hope you continue to heal and feel well!

The Mods

does anybody know anything about multicentric breast cancer??

dear all,

I have been reading all the responses. I will cut my story short.

I was diagnosed with bc straight after birth of my second child when she was 8/12 old. I was TN. I was given options of lumpectomy or mastectomy. My surgeon convinced me that lumpectomy with radiation is as good as mastectomy as per new reasearch. I went with her decision and went for lumpectomy and then radiation . I am 2 yrs post diagnosis however still worry about recurrence. I can not enough settle about my decision.

And now I feel like doing mastectomy. Is there anybody like me who has changed their mind. Does Breast tissue heal we’llin post irradiated surgical area. I am very confused. But thought of recurrence is quite scary.

Any suggestions most welcomed

Nilima

Natural tissue reconstruction (DIEP or SGAP) tend to do better reconstruction-wise than implants post-rads. Here’s a helpful link:

https://www.breastcenter.com/2018/05/01/i-wish-id-known-dr-dellacroce-speaks-to-ypo-about-modern-breast-reconstruction/