What to expect post op but before oncologist appointment

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margo53
margo53 Member Posts: 165
edited November 2019 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Hi,

So I was told by my breast surgeon that with my IDC, I would only need radiation. What is the role of a medical oncologist in this situation? I have an appointment with the MO next week. When they scheduled my appt they said my genomic test results ( mammaprint) would be in by then. Is this just to totally rule out chemo? I have not had any radiation yet

Thanks for any info

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited November 2019

    An MO most often drives the bus. Hopefully he/she coordinates care between the surgeon, plastic surgeon, radiation oncologist, pharmacy, bone health, PT, etc.

    You may not need chemo, but this doc was my most valuable advocate & defender - even though I didn't have chemo the first time around.

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited November 2019

    That's awfully bold of your surgeon to assume that you will only need radiation. If your mammaprint comes back as high risk, they'll probably discuss chemo with you. The MO makes that decision. Also the MO decides about hormone therapy. In my case, the surgeon said I would definitely need chemo, and it was the MO that halted that process, sent my tissue out for mammaprint, and then said no chemo and sent me off to radiation. But I still see her every 6 months for tamoxifen follow-up.

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  • Cowgirl13
    Cowgirl13 Member Posts: 1,936
    edited November 2019

    The surgeon needs to stick to surgery. Period. How would the surgeon feel if the oncologist were making predictions about surgery?

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited November 2019

    margo - So, did you have a lumpectomy or a mastectomy right off the bat?

    make an appointment with an oncologist and get one on board your team. I wouldn't necessarily go to first one that this surgeon recommended. Check with your PCP or your OB/Gyn. If you still haven't done radiation, I'd make an appointment and meet with an RO also so you can find one you like.

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  • margo53
    margo53 Member Posts: 165
    edited November 2019

    I did have a lumpectomy. Sorry I tried to put that in below but I guess it didn't take. I have an appt next week with the oncologist that I researched and picked. I'm sure my surgeon shouldn't have predicted my future treatment, but they do what they do and I had total confidence in her as a surgeon.... so we will see....thanks for the info

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited November 2019

    With a lumpectomy only, radiation is usually up next. But of course we are all different. Good luck with meeting your MO. Hope it's someone you can talk to/with.

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