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Lumpectomy with radiation or Mastectomy?
I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. I was advised I was a good candidate for a lumpectomy. It would require me to have at least four weeks of radiation, plus I will need hormone therapy as the cancer is estrogen positive. No matter what I chose, the hormone therapy will be required, unless I choose to stop due to side effects. I plan to have plastic surgery down the line. My question is how did you choose your choice of surgery? A mastectomy would mean no radiation, but a lumpectomy is less invasive, and I keep some feelings in the breasts. I was told the change of reoccurrence of cancer with these procedures are the same.
Any thoughts or experiences would be appreciated. I keep going back and forth and just get more confused.
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This is a great kit to get if you choose mastectomies. I used everything and was so glad to have the pillow and drain holders.
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1 ReactionI had IDC (hormone positive) with 1 lymph node involved. I opted no chemo (even though they pushed and glad i declined bc onco came back as < 1% effective), lumpectomy and radiation—firm on 3.5 weeks as just as effective based on studies as 5, radiation oncologist agreed..came from teaching hospital.
Was devastated when my path from 1st lumpectomy came back as DCIS in all margins, said invasive IDC gone. Based on my various groups I knew that might mean they may not ever get clear margins..DCIS is tricky. Radiation oncologist said it would help to get anything more even without clear margins so I went again..again, no close or clear margins but found microscopic invasive but for sure gone now.
Surgeon now suggests mastectomy, which seems drastic for ‘precancerous’, after all many walk around not knowing they even have it, since rarely shows up on standard screening (mammogram or ultrasound) for dense breasts. Radiation and Medical oncologist both said reoccurrence risk while on preventative Temoxifen and radiation but overall survival is the same with or without mastectomy—98% bc mine is grade 1 slow and will do active monitoring with MRI.
Now my plan is to do MRI—skipped previously bc we did not know we were chasing DCIS to see what we are dealing with before making such a big leap. Also, I know radiation will damage tissue so much that a reoccurrence later would mean reconstruction is hard. If I did get reoccurrence—that would be my last attempt and would then opt for mastectomy.
Yes, mastectomy means no feeling for the rest of your life, serious surgery with potential complications, possibly lose nipples and have seen women that get reoccurrence on wall or other location even after amputation. Just in case there is DCIS too, might want to get MRI if you haven’t already.
Having said all this cancer sucks and for some mastectomy is not so traumatic or over time, they learn to accept it. I know if I find invasive again—waiting on my MRI, I will be making the harder choice for me but holding out hope after 2nd opinion and MRI that precancerous is not as bad and with meds and radiation we can keep at bay.
Hang in there. Take time to assess, get more info, second opinions and follow up.
Lumpectomy failure will be at the result of the pathology report. Never had drains.
I have the same diagnosis and I have been seriously thinking mastectomy over radiation and 5 years of drugs with side effects. Other than longer surgery & inherent concern of longer anesthesia at my age of 67, I have not heard of any serious downside to choosing double M over lump+ rad+ drug. Good luck to all of us on this difficult journey. Everyone’s input is greatly appreciated❣️