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Lumpectomy + radiation VS Mastectomy -- pros cons?

Posted by jjmoon @jjmoon, Mar 25 7:41am

Hi,
I was diagnosed with DICS ER- Multifocal in the fall. It has taken four months to get to this point in the process. Right now I am scheduled for surgery (a lumpectomy), after which I should have radiation.

My DCIS covers a larger area so I am right on the line between mastectomy and lumpectomy. I chose this path because it is less invasive. Also I fear the risk of lymphedema (rational or not, that is something I grapple with).

My question for this fine group is the following:
If my margins are not clear OR they find invasive OR I have a local reoccurrence -- I will have to have a mastectomy. The plastic surgeon (who will close me up and try to make things look good) has suggested I consider going straight to mastectomy because in their words "Radiation is horrible".
The radiation oncologist said something different -- more along the lines of "there are minor side effects but they are temporary".

So, I am curious if others have faced similar?

Just to be clear, my questions are around side effects of radiation vs bigger surgery/longer recovery/risk of lymphedema (sentinel node biopsy, not dissection)

Thank you in advance!
jjmoon

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alisa1 | @alisa1 | Sep 8 3:03pm
In reply to @jjjw "May I ask how old you are? I am 67 and have been thinking about double..." + (show)
Profile picture for jjjw @jjjw

May I ask how old you are? I am 67 and have been thinking about double mastectomy instead of the lumpectomy with radiation and 5 years of hormone suppression. Thank you for sharing.

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Hello @jjjw. I was diagnosed at 50 and had the surgery at 51. My boss is late 50s and chose the lumpectomy with radiation. She preferred that and was pleased with her results. However, my surgeon said that the recurrence rate was higher with a lumpectomy.
I think it is up to the individual and you do what is best for you. However, I am totally pleased with the double mastectomy and opted out of chemo. No medication was required in my case.
Best to you on your journey.

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jknows | @jknows | Sep 12 11:11am

I had a single mastectomy and reconstruction. I was hell bent on avoiding radiation. Sometimes it is easy, but when it isn’t it can be horrific. My PS said that the RO “undersell” it and make it seem easy. But your tissue is never the same!
My PS will not due immediate expander placement if you have to have radiation, he wants it completed and fully healed before reconstruction begins. This is because the tissue is never the same after radiation and he does not want to have his work altered by the changing tissue.
Avoid radiation, if possible!

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