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Recurring DCIS: Radiation vs Mastectomy: How do I choose?
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Sep 6 6:47am | Replies (31)Comment receiving replies
I was given a choice between lumpectomy and radiation or mastectomy. Invasive ductal carcinoma in one breast and DCIS in the other. My breast surgeon said the rate of recurrence would be the same. But I considered the pathology from my breast biopsy which showed the cancer cells were grade 3 and a high Ki-67, i.e, the cancer cells were aggressive. I elected the double mastectomy based on the pathological findings more than the clinical finding of clinical stage.
I don't know if you have similar information but mention it as something to consider if available.
Replies to "I was given a choice between lumpectomy and radiation or mastectomy. Invasive ductal carcinoma in one..."
@prarysky I had ILC in one breast. My surgeon said surgically the likelihood of reoccurrence if I chose radiation and lumpectomy I was 15% and if I chose a mastectomy it was 2%. I chose bilateral mastectomy because I didn’t want radiation and I wanted identical breasts afterward. I made this decision for two reasons. First, ILC is a sneaky cancer and you don’t know going into surgery whether or not the surgeon will be able to get clean margins or if there is concern in your lymph nodes. I had a friend who chose a lumpectomy only to find out the surgeon couldn’t get clean margins and they had to go back and do a mastectomy after she healed and had radiation. Second, my plastic surgeon said there is very little he can do to address radiated skin. Anyway I am very happy with my decision. I wish you the best.
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@prarysky Thank you I have decided on left breast mastectomy because the DCIS was wide spread throughout that breast. Did you opt for reconstructive surgery? That is my next decision! This is all so hard!
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