1. < Breast Cancer

Need Help on Bilateral Mastectomy or Lumpectomy

Posted by fashionmom @fashionmom, 2 days ago

It appears that you have a locally advanced, hereditary-based, Luminal A Breast Cancer.
Most of the studies suggest that at this point, there is no proven benefit of a bilateral mastectomy over breast-conserving surgery.
Regarding the axilla we now practice Targeted Axillary Dissection plus Sentinel Lymphnode Removal. An Axillary dissection is also practised in some regions.

this was advice by an oncologist,
however, I'm so torn as I have 2 ATM mutations - C9139c>T and C6212T>A.

the question do I want to remove my small tumor which has lymph node involvement, or just remove both my breasts and add implants. Just don't want to go through chemo and scans again. Not sure what to do. It would be a peace of mind to remove the breasts, but they say the chances of recurrence is the same, which I don't understand. If I remove the breast tissue, doesnt it give me a fighting chance for it to not to come back? Also, mom has STAGE 1 breast cancer and opted for lumpectomy and radiation.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

dolphina3 | @dolphina3 | 1 day ago

This is atough decision but I went with masectomy. I didnt want more surgery at my age.
If you read on line at other cancer centers they mention percentages of reoccurrence over a lifetime. Depends on type and other things as well. One set if numbers was masectomy 6 percent over a lifetime and lumpectomy 15 percent over a lifetime. So maybe a good question for your team is what percentage over a lifetime with each procedure. Thinking of you and sending hugs.

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susan7656 | @susan7656 | 1 day ago

Hi @fashionmom. Sorry you are in the breast cancer club.

I had the choice between a lumpectomy and radiation or a bilateral mastectomy. My cancer at the time was only in my left breast.

I was inclined towards a mastectomy and my breast surgeon strongly recommended it vs. the lumpectomy.

When the surgeons did the mastectomy, the pathology showed that atypical cells were also showing in my right breast (although all looked fine on my MRI for that right breast).

After the surgery, my medical team agreed that the bilateral mastectomy was the way to go.

I had tissue expanders for 4 months. And 8 weeks ago I had another surgery for my implants and also stomach fat grafting as part of that reconstruction.

I am glad I went the route that I did. But it was not an easy recovery for either surgery. I had a lot of good support and I was very confident in my surgeons.

Good luck. These are difficult and highly personal choices.

Most important to me was to minimize my risk of cancer spreading or reoccurring.

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briarrose | @briarrose | 1 day ago

My situation was difficult in deciding implants vs. flat? Bilateral mastectomy was the way to go for me. I have invasive cancer, insitu and atypical ductal hyperplasia in right breast. Left breast is insitu plus atypical ductal hyperplasia. My whole adult life I was always diagnosed with dense breasts & microcalcifications. Lumpectomy x4 with radiation no good for me as I have severe heart disease. The radiation could damage my heart further as in scarring. I already have a damaged heart so radiation was a no-go. Plus I wanted my lymph nodes tested.
I also have cerebral vascular disease & my plastic surgeon wanted to do implants at the same time to avoid multiple surgeries w/general anesthesia. I am 70 years young. He told me the implants would be much smaller than the breasts I have now and grafting a completely no-go for me. So I decided it was not worth potential complications with implants...I have a history of always developing scar tissue after previous surgeries in my life. I wanted this awful chapter in my life to be over with! One and Done! My husband very supportive of my decision and I will probably get a beautiful tattoo down the road on my flat chest. Yes, susan7656 the MOST important issue is to minimize risk of reoccurring or cancer spreading. Every women is different and must decide in her heart & mind "what works for me??" It's not easy...but look at the pros & the cons of each procedure. Absolutely nothing is guaranteed in life. So one must make the best decision possible under their particular circumstances. And always have faith...
My bilateral mastectomy will be May 12. It's very scary to lose my breasts/have this surgery.
I am mourning my breasts...BUT THE CANCER HAS TO GO!
We are all in the club no one ever wants to join...but never alone. The very best to you.

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2 replies
lifetraveler | @lifetraveler | 20 hours ago
In reply to @briarrose "My situation was difficult in deciding implants vs. flat? Bilateral mastectomy was the way to go..." + (show)
@briarrose

My situation was difficult in deciding implants vs. flat? Bilateral mastectomy was the way to go for me. I have invasive cancer, insitu and atypical ductal hyperplasia in right breast. Left breast is insitu plus atypical ductal hyperplasia. My whole adult life I was always diagnosed with dense breasts & microcalcifications. Lumpectomy x4 with radiation no good for me as I have severe heart disease. The radiation could damage my heart further as in scarring. I already have a damaged heart so radiation was a no-go. Plus I wanted my lymph nodes tested.
I also have cerebral vascular disease & my plastic surgeon wanted to do implants at the same time to avoid multiple surgeries w/general anesthesia. I am 70 years young. He told me the implants would be much smaller than the breasts I have now and grafting a completely no-go for me. So I decided it was not worth potential complications with implants...I have a history of always developing scar tissue after previous surgeries in my life. I wanted this awful chapter in my life to be over with! One and Done! My husband very supportive of my decision and I will probably get a beautiful tattoo down the road on my flat chest. Yes, susan7656 the MOST important issue is to minimize risk of reoccurring or cancer spreading. Every women is different and must decide in her heart & mind "what works for me??" It's not easy...but look at the pros & the cons of each procedure. Absolutely nothing is guaranteed in life. So one must make the best decision possible under their particular circumstances. And always have faith...
My bilateral mastectomy will be May 12. It's very scary to lose my breasts/have this surgery.
I am mourning my breasts...BUT THE CANCER HAS TO GO!
We are all in the club no one ever wants to join...but never alone. The very best to you.

Jump to this post

Dear @briarrose

Our thoughts and prayers are with you on your journey ahead...

Wishing you the best for your surgery on May 12 and a full & speedy recovery!

REPLY
susan7656 | @susan7656 | 18 hours ago
In reply to @briarrose "My situation was difficult in deciding implants vs. flat? Bilateral mastectomy was the way to go..." + (show)
@briarrose

My situation was difficult in deciding implants vs. flat? Bilateral mastectomy was the way to go for me. I have invasive cancer, insitu and atypical ductal hyperplasia in right breast. Left breast is insitu plus atypical ductal hyperplasia. My whole adult life I was always diagnosed with dense breasts & microcalcifications. Lumpectomy x4 with radiation no good for me as I have severe heart disease. The radiation could damage my heart further as in scarring. I already have a damaged heart so radiation was a no-go. Plus I wanted my lymph nodes tested.
I also have cerebral vascular disease & my plastic surgeon wanted to do implants at the same time to avoid multiple surgeries w/general anesthesia. I am 70 years young. He told me the implants would be much smaller than the breasts I have now and grafting a completely no-go for me. So I decided it was not worth potential complications with implants...I have a history of always developing scar tissue after previous surgeries in my life. I wanted this awful chapter in my life to be over with! One and Done! My husband very supportive of my decision and I will probably get a beautiful tattoo down the road on my flat chest. Yes, susan7656 the MOST important issue is to minimize risk of reoccurring or cancer spreading. Every women is different and must decide in her heart & mind "what works for me??" It's not easy...but look at the pros & the cons of each procedure. Absolutely nothing is guaranteed in life. So one must make the best decision possible under their particular circumstances. And always have faith...
My bilateral mastectomy will be May 12. It's very scary to lose my breasts/have this surgery.
I am mourning my breasts...BUT THE CANCER HAS TO GO!
We are all in the club no one ever wants to join...but never alone. The very best to you.

Jump to this post

@briarrose - wishing you strength, peace and healing.

REPLY
angiemal | @angiemal | 6 hours ago

@fashionmom I believe that if there's something you don’t fully understand, it’s really important to ask questions—so you can have all the information laid out in front of you and make the decision that feels right for you.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer or a “better” option—it’s about making the best choice based on the information and resources you had at the time, and most importantly, choosing what brings you peace of mind.

After treatment, thoughts about recurrence can come up, and it really helps to know you made a decision you feel comfortable with.

In my case, I chose a lumpectomy, followed by 5 sessions of radiation and hormonal therapy for 5 years.

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