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Invasive lobular cancer and treatment choices
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Nov 21 6:58am | Replies (56)Comment receiving replies
My experience with ILC is that I had a lumpectomy, but the margins were not clear , so I need a second surgery. However, the surgeon is giving me a choice between a second lumpectomy plus radiation therapy OR a mastectomy. The long-term survival rates are identical (no statistical significance between them.) The surgeon advises a mastectomy. The oncologist advises the lumpectomy plus radiation. For those who had a mastectomy, even though you might have had a lumpectomy plus radiation, how are you feeling about it now? Do you regret it or are you glad you did it? Thanks for any advice! (I will still need Anastrozole with either surgery, but no chemo with either, due to the small size of the tumor - 2 mm).
Replies to "My experience with ILC is that I had a lumpectomy, but the margins were not clear..."
I was 71 when I had a double mastectomy for ILC (it took 6 months to get clear enough margins because it didn’t show on the mammograms and ultrasounds I’d had for decades). As a large breasted woman, I was immediately relieved not to have breasts. While it’s not for everyone, I am fine being flat (stay away from princess seams) though it really rankles me that I had to make the decisions at all. Proper imaging (MRIs) would have found it years before it metastasized into my lymph nodes. Now, I will have it for the rest of my life.
Hello. It’s all so worrisome, isn’t it? I had one ILC and one ITC in my left breast. I chose a double mastectomy straight out even though my right breast was cancer free. I’m flat. And glad of it. In fact, it makes me feel sort of safe. I wear bras especially fitted by a surgical supply store when I want to feel like I look better. The choices are hard and you have to do what feels right to you. I have no regrets about the double mastectomy I chose. Good luck!
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Your situation sounds like mine. I have invasive lobular estrogen positive with 3small tumors that they found. 1-31-24 I had a lumpectomy with 3 lying nodes removed. My nodes were great but my margins were not. My surgeon suggested a left breast mastectomy. On 2-23-24 I had the mastectomy. My surgeon said my cancer is gone so is my breast. I meet with an oncologist Monday. Never have met before. I’m told I will need a horrible blocker. I ‘m not a fan! My surgeon said I will not need radiation or chemo. Hallelujah! Now onto the next step. I’m hoping to get reconstructive surgery and a lift on the other breast in the near future. Keep in touch. If you have any questions let me know.