Lumpectomy with radiation or Mastectomy?

Posted by pacarter @pacarter, Aug 25, 2025

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.

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

Profile picture for ctidwell4 @ctidwell4

I was diagnosed with DCIS in right breast after a lumpectomy 6 months earlier due to atypical hyperplasia in my left breast. I did not want radiation or hormone blockers so I chose double mastectomy ( skin and nipple saving) with immediate reconstruction. I could not be happier with my decision, I am 68 but active and fit. I am 10 weeks post op and almost back to full activity. Both surgeons did a great job. As a note… the pathology showed the atypical hyperplasia was in a new spot on my left breast…. So for me the mastectomy was the way to go.

Jump to this post

@ctidwell4 great to know on your recovery … I am scheduled for bilateral mastectomy with the immediate direct to implant. I have DCI in both brass, but I do have invasive ductal carcinoma with 1.2 cm tumor with 6 mm of invasion on the left side. My surgery is next week and I have lined up excellent surgeons.

REPLY

Both breasts. Ha ha using Siri,,

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.