← Return to Does anyone have experience with a lumpectomy and a breast reduction?

Discussion
Comment receiving replies
@heydon2023

I had a 2mm cancerous tumor and DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) which was benign. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel lobe checked out. There was no cancer in the lymph glands thankfully. Now they tell me I need to have 'either' radiation to the breast or Anastrozole 1 mg for 5 years. Not sure why, but they said I could have either of those but not both? Since they kept saying my tumor was 'teeny tiny' I wonder why I should have either of those?

Jump to this post


Replies to "I had a 2mm cancerous tumor and DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) which was benign. I..."

I have a similar tumor and will have a partial breast radiation and Aromatase inhibitors for 7-10 years. Are you on some kind of a trail?

I had the same (DCIS left breast, no lymph nodes involved). Lumpectomy and oncoplastic at same time (Dec). Had 16 sessions of radiation begun 4 weeks after the surgery. I wasn’t given an “either/or” option—both were offered. But it was explained that radiation provided 30% additional risk reduction for cancer recurrence, whereas the hormone pills added about only 4% risk reduction. That small reduction plus the likelihood of the side effects from Anastrozole were the reasons why I am not taking Anastrozole. I’m 73. All done now and so far so good. All these decisions and new information is daunting but you will get through it! Wishing you well and good outcomes.

I meant to add in my previous response to you that the reason for anything additional is because there is some risk of recurrence even though the tumor was tiny and removed. I had exactly the same reaction initially. My understanding is that there’s a 60% chance that cancer will not recur but the radiation could increase that to 90. % or so. The Anastrozole would add only about 4% or so.