IDC II 3 -- triple neg -- What to do?

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birdies
birdies Member Posts: 8
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Everything I read about the whole triple negative thing makes me feel like I am the walking dead.  I'm doing neoadjuvant chemo (TAC x 6) and when I'm done I'll have to decide on what kind of surgery.  It seems like us triple negative folks just have to be really aggressive as the cancer.  My surgeon recommends lumpectomy, but I'm feeling pretty strongly that I should do a mast to at least ensure the cancer won't come back in THAT breast. 

I'm a big, fat girl.  I have big, fat titties.  48DD and the plastic surgeon I saw yesterday said I was not a good candidate for skin sparing mast with implant, which would have been my choice.  My fatness evidentally limits my choices.  My breast surgeon says I won't feel comfortable with prosthesis.  So ... first of all:

(1) What therapies can I do besides chemo/mast/rads?  Is it really nothing?

(2) Is anyone here a big girl with big girls that has had to think through reconst and or deal with prosthetics and what did you learn?

I'll appreciate any advice, cautions, counsel, personal experience, suggestions, whatever.  I need to hear from folks with experience.

Thanks in advance. 

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  • Watson
    Watson Member Posts: 1,490
    edited October 2007

    Hello,

    I was under the impression that triple neg is more likely to return as mets not a local recurrence.  I could be wrong and someone will come along and let us know.

    I had a lumpectomy and rads.  No problem.  My neighbor is large breasted and had a mastectomy and wears a prosthesis.  Or I should say she DID.  It is so heavy at that size it is very uncomfortable.  She mostly walks around lopsided when not at work.

    Surgery of some sort, chemo and rads is it!  Don't feel like this is a death sentence.  I was dx in May 2005 and I'm still here!

    Watson

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  • ravdeb
    ravdeb Member Posts: 3,116
    edited October 2007

    I have also read that if there is a recurrence, it would be distant recurrence and not local recurrence (breast) statistically speaking, of course.

    I've been reading further though (for those who know me, I'm a google junkie Smile) and mastectomies could be recommended for the following reasons:

    1) if there is more than one tumor found in the breast

    2) if you have one of the BRACA genes

    3) If you have a family history of breast cancer (mom, sister, grandmother)

    4) or..and this is very rare..if you have severely dense breasts where it's not possible to see clearly through mammogram and ultrasound.

    5) or simply from an emotional/anxiety standpoint that mastectomy would help the patient feel more secure.

    However..I have read that triple negs generally can feel safe with lumpectomies depending on the size of the tumor and other elements. This would need to be discussed with your doctor and I would suggest a second opinion..or third..AND continued discussion with yourself as to what would make you feel good and help you move on.

    One of the cons to mastectomies is that you are continually reminded of the disease. Well, that's what they say but I did a lumpectomy and that scar is right there in my face!

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  • Rainenz
    Rainenz Member Posts: 93
    edited October 2007

    Birdies

    I'm triple neg and a 40 D/DD  and had a lumpectomy nearly 11 yrs ago and have had no problems with recurrance in that breast, also had 6+ nodes.  Last year had a mast on the other side, due to poor margins when I had a lumpectomy for a new primary and hate the weight of the prosthesis. For me I hate having to muck around trying to find tops that cover higher up than before to hide the hollows etc.

    All the best with your decision making

    Raine 

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  • FloridaLady
    FloridaLady Member Posts: 2,155
    edited October 2007

    Triple neg can have recurrence same breast. I'm one who did and I have met a few others.  It is just less likely.

    FLA

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  • Sadie-Rose
    Sadie-Rose Member Posts: 222
    edited October 2007

    Hi Birdies,

    I am triple negative, stage IIb, grade 3, with one positive node. I had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiations. I am a little more than three years out from treatment and just had surgery to reduce my untreated breast to match my radiated breast‘s size. It's just been two weeks so I am still recovering, but I think my breasts are going to match really well. I also had a tummy tuck with this surgery, but because it is still early and there is some swelling I can't quite see what the final look will be.

    I've been told if there is a recurrence most likely it would return in the lungs, bone or liver.

    Right now I feel healthy and I love hearing from women who have made it past the three year window. My oncologist felt that if the cancer was going to return it would return within the first three years.

    I wish you well in your decision. I hope there is support in your local area. I found one of my local hospitals had support groups and a stress management counselor. I think the hardest part is trying to make such a life changing decision while you are in the middle of this health crisis.

    I know I have heard a lot of women tell why they choose mastectomies to be proactive. I'll go out on a limb here and say I choose lumpectomy because I felt it was less invasive.

    PS- I was a 40 D

    Warmly,

    Sadie

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  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited October 2007

    I had a lumpectomy for a triple neg, highly aggressive grade 3 cancer followed by rads.

    The triplenegative cancer did not return in SIX YEARS.

    I did get a new primary in the opposite breast that was TOTALLY UNRELATED to the original tumor as it was lobular and ER/PR +++

    Lumpectomy and rads have the same survival rate as a mast. So you should feel OK with that choice if you make it.

    Good luck!

    g

    My site 

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