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Anyone dealing with Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia (ADH)?
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Sep 11 9:29pm | Replies (227)Comment receiving replies
Hey there. Yes. I’m scheduled for bilateral mastectomy in 2 weeks. I had a cluster of Micro calcifications that led to stereotactic biopsy. That failed to obtain the calcifications so lumpectomy was scheduled. In the interim, pathology of the biopsy shows (totally unexpectedly and coincidentally ) ALH (lobule). Lumpectomy removed calcifications (benign) but found also diffuse ADH and ALH. greater than 3 foci puts risk at 49%. So. Off with the breasts. I’m 52, vegan, non smoker, no BRCA bad genes. Very athletic. I need my pec muscles so have opted for expanders and above pec implants. For me, 6 month checks and MRIs and drugs ARE not my cup of tea. I’d rather excise the risk now, and heal from that, vs a 50/50 risk of having to do it anyway, AND go through fighting cancer, chemo and radiation. I feel v fortunate and grateful to have found it so coincidentally. And have no hesitation taking proactive preventative steps. It’s clearly a very personal choice...I researched read, interviewed multiple surgeons, researched more etcetc. This is the decision that feels unequivocally authentic for me. Hugs to you. Xxx
Replies to "Hey there. Yes. I’m scheduled for bilateral mastectomy in 2 weeks. I had a cluster of..."
After biopsy and lumpectomy I have the same diagnosis ( ADH, ALH) plus LCIS. My surgeon says I have over 50% risk for cancer. MRIs/Mammograms alternating every 6 months for the rest of my life. I am considering a preventive bi lateral mastectomy. How are you doing after having yours? I am also athletic and worry I'll be limited long term after surgery.
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Good for you. I opted to watch and wait after the ALH and ended up with bi lateral mastectomies 2 years later anyway at Stage 1 (no spread to lymph nodes). Knowing now what I didn't know then.........I would have opted for the mastectomies at Stage 0 ALH.....my cancer physical therapist did that.......took them off at a very young age because she'd seen how quickly and unexpectedly it can spread. I've come out on the other side now BUT......there was tension every six months with mammograms, ultrasounds and MRI's and ultimately having to do the surgery anyway. Also, the pathology of my breast tissue following the mastectomies was a bit of everything and ultimately it was going to be a very bad outcome. My breasts were growing every kind of bad thing you can imagine. It sounds like you're very body aware and pro active and that will help you to move through the surgery and recovery well.
My background is in large scale media/public events and I learned a mind set of looking for anything and everything that can go wrong. It sounds negative but it's not..........I did exactly what the doctors say not to do: reading every bad thing that could possibly go wrong. The good that came out of that for me was knowing what was possible, being prepared for complications and having a head start on resolving them. That's my nature but for me.....it's still my method of dealing with cancer. Learn all you can and be prepared if those things occur and grateful when they don't! Keep in touch and let us all know how your surgery and reconstruction are going. Hugs.