Lumpectomy - if positive margins?

Options
Atl1967
Atl1967 Member Posts: 7
edited April 2019 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

I'm having surgery April 17th and chose a lumpectomy. My surgeon seems cavalier about the chances of having to go back in and do more surgery if the margins are not clear. Does anyone have any experience with that? My preference is lumpectomy and I realize that along with that is the chance of additional surgeries, but I would appreciate the perspective of others who have gone through that.

Thanks!

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited April 2019

    The need for re-excision is common--I read 25-40% of the time. I needed one in 2016; not last year. My BS described DCIS (which is often present) as "squirrelly"--you can't see it, you can't feel it. They're trying to preserve as much breast tissue as possible, but this last time, I specifically told him to go big. It was going to be a much smaller area than I had excised in 2016, so it really didn't matter to me if he took a little extra just to be safe. (That said, a lumpectomy is a really simple procedure with a quick recovery, so going back in usually isn't a big deal.)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited April 2019

    Hi Atl1967,

    We thought you may find this section on Lumpectomy helpful. We understand how difficult this decision can be, with the thoughts of addition re-excision.

    Hang in there, and we hope that the stories from others can be helpful.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories