mastectomy vs bi-lateral mastectomy

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kmldpl
kmldpl Member Posts: 21
edited November 2020 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Hello. I was diagnosed this week with invasive ductal carcinoma, which appears to be just in my left breast (a tumor, and another spot in the breast that was positive in the biopsy). A mastectomy has been recommended and now I'm struggling with whether to do a bi-lateral mastectomy, as well. I've been trying to read a lot and know it's a personal decision, but if anyone has been there i'd appreciate hearing your experience. thank you.

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited November 2020

    Such a personal decision. This thread might help you figure out what's right for you:

    Topic: Considerations: Lumpectomy w/Rads vs. UMX vs. BMX

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topics/868997?page=1#post_5329372

    I'll bump it to the top of the "Active" list for you.

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  • buttonsmachine
    buttonsmachine Member Posts: 930
    edited November 2020

    This is just me, but I ended up with a UMX. The upside is that I still have a "good" side that is still pain free, fully functional, and has sensation. Under my circumstances I am glad I left my non-cancer side alone.

    Of course it also depends on your future risk factors (i.e. whether you are BRCA positive, for example).

    Reconstruction is a factor for some people too, depending on what kind of reconstruction you are getting. Do you have any thoughts on whether you will pursue reconstruction yet? And what type?


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  • WC3
    WC3 Member Posts: 1,540
    edited November 2020

    I chose a bilateral mastectomy but my circumstances were...

    Family history of bilateral breast cancer.

    I had dense breasts and my cancer was missed on initial imaging though I had a palpable lump.

    My breast shape would have made symmetry difficult to achieve and I think it would have ended up being more complex than a BMX with reconstruction.

    I'm happy with my choice. But if I lacked some or all of those factors I probably would have gone with a UMX.

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  • abigailj
    abigailj Member Posts: 145
    edited November 2020

    I opted for BMX rather than a large lumpectomy on one side (or a UMX on that side) and small lumpectomy on the other. I knew I wanted recon and after research, meeting with 2 PSs that specialize in DIEP and scans that confirmed I was a good candidate for it I went with the BMX for these reasons - no radiation, dense breasts (so hard to tell true extent of the lobular I had on one side, had IDC on other), and the cosmetic result would be better with the immediate DIEP. I’m very pleased with my outcome despite a few wound healing complications (I’m 63 and an ex-smoker). If I wasn’t a good candidate for DIEP I might have done UMX on one side and lumpectomy on the other. Wishing you a good outcome with whatever choice you make

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  • kmldpl
    kmldpl Member Posts: 21
    edited November 2020

    Thank you so much! i really appreciate it.

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  • kmldpl
    kmldpl Member Posts: 21
    edited November 2020

    thank you so much. Yes, I do want to do reconstruction, but don't know what type, yet.

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  • kmldpl
    kmldpl Member Posts: 21
    edited November 2020

    thank you so much. Still waiting for the pathology report, so that will definitely be a factor.

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  • kmldpl
    kmldpl Member Posts: 21
    edited November 2020

    Thank you so much!

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