tumor located adjacent to areola - need input

mommy3abm
mommy3abm Member Posts: 221
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

Posted this on newly diagnosed and should have put it here.  I was diagnosed yesterday with Stage 1 bc after core needle biopsy.  Radiologist said it is small and that he couldn't note anything elsewhere including nodal involvement on the ultrasound.  He informed us that since I am small breasted (nearly an A cup) and that the lump is almost touching the areola that he feels the surgeon will advise a mastectomy for cosmetic reasons.  Anyone had to deal with a similar situation?  Also, the surgeon is a general not a breast surgeon, but does these procedures almost daily.  HELP!  Just want to know what other experiences are.  Also, I am 38 with 3 children ages 5, 8, and almost 10.

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  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited July 2008

    I am sorry that your post has sat for so long without a reply.  I can't answer your question, because my tumor was not near my areola; but I did want to let you know that your post has been read.

    My situation was different.  I was given the option of a lumpectomy (plus irradiation) or a mastectomy, and I chose a mastectomy.  In part, that was because of concern about the cosmetic outcome when the 1.8 cm tumor plus a margin of healthy tissue was removed from my A-cup breast.

    I don't know the specifics of tumor removal if the mass is near the areola, but since the surgeon would need to include a margin of healthy tissue, the excision might include the nipple.  In that case, you might be better off cosmetically if you have a mastectomy and consider your options for reconstruction.  The surgeon would have to explain the situation, though.  My surgeon was a surgical oncologist who specialized in breast cancer surgeries.  She did 300+ of them a year.

    This is such a difficult situation to be in, I know...

    otter 

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  • mommy3abm
    mommy3abm Member Posts: 221
    edited July 2008

    Thanks otter!  Saw breast surgeon today and had 2 follow up ultrasounds.  Both showed a tight but good margin, so we are going for the lumpectomy next Thursday with the knowledge that we may have to go back for more!

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  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited July 2008

    Good luck - but be prepared!

    I hope they're doing an SNB. 

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  • sbmolee
    sbmolee Member Posts: 1,085
    edited July 2008

    I also was a small A and my DCIS was located right behind areola.  After lumptectomy my nipple was really indented.  Surgeon called and said no clear margins and recommended mastectomy.  I ended up choosing bi-lateral mastectomy so to never deal with this again.  Friends who chose single mastectomy has said they wished they had done the same as they have the recurring fear of recurrance every time them have a mamo. 

    Best of luck and yes ask for SNB just to be safe.  Since my SNB was negative, I did not have to have chemo, radiation or take tamoxifin - just going thru reconstruction.

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