Lumpectomy with radiation vs mastectomy for stage 1 invasive plus DCIS

My advice to you is to opt for the mastectomy, radiation has far greater consequences! The risk associated with radiation is developing Angiosarcoma, a rare and highly aggressive form of cancer! My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, she got a lumpectomy with radiation, but wasn't informed of the risk. She was diagnosed with Angiosarcoma some time later, and told it was caused by the radiation. My mom said that if they had told her about the risk, she would've never opted to do radiation. With all do respect, Trust God, do your research, and avoid the radiation at all cost! I wish you the best!

I am looking at getting radiation and was never told about angiosarcoma. I had stage 1a invasive ductile carcinoma . My markers were : estrogen is 100%, progestogen 95%, HER2 2+quivical neg. 13mm mass and calcification Thank you for the input.

Two different surgeons recommended lumpectomy w/radiation. I opted for mastectomy and there was no radiation afterwards and no node involvement. My decision was based on acquaintances experience with lumpectomy then later years a need for another lumpectomy or mastectomy. I wanted to be as aggressive as possible while I'm younger rather than potentially face this surgery years later when my health/physical condition may not be as optimal.

They originally told me that I would need radiation either way. Now since having lumpectomy I've been told by some that radiation isn't needed with mastectomy. Reading on these forums, I've seen mention of having bilateral mastectomy and then following with radiation. Slightly confusing. But thank you for sharing your perspective! I'm sorry to hear that your mom went through that.

Thank you for sharing. I do not have node involvement. They originally mentioned radiation with either surgical option. Did they also recommend radiation after mastectomy? Did you decide to have one mastectomy?

If I recall correctly doctors said I do a double mastectomy there would be no need for radiation. My sis-in-law had some damage to heart after her radiation so I wanted to avoid that at all costs. Honestly though, if they said I would still need radiation after mastectomy I Would have chosen double mastectomy anyway.

One thing, I would like to inject into this conversation is that angiosarcoma as described above is rare. In fact it is very rare. This won’t matter if you are in that 2 tenths of 1% that get it. That being said, it is always a cost vs benefit equation for any treatment.
Do you have a doctor or nurse that can help you weigh these options for your particular cancer and your life situation?

I was trusting them and their judgement until I needed a re-excision two weeks after my lumpectomy to try to get clear margins around the DCIS. As I was anticipating the second surgery, my aunt who is a retired ER nurse wrote and said "I'm just asking because I don't know...if it is related to hormones wouldn't it be better to remove all of the tissue so it won't have anywhere to reoccur?" I was already upset about going into another surgery and that felt like adding insult to injury. I get what she is saying and it was my original thought, but it isn't what my doctor is saying. So when I'm asking the questions the second time around I'm getting slightly different answers and it seems like what is respected is doing the most and "taking control" of the situation even though none of us knows the future or can truly do that. These are hard decisions.

Yes it is confusing! I just don't understand the need for radiation if they know that radiation causes Angiosarcoma! And why would it be a treatment option once someone is diagnosed with Angiosarcoma? My mom was in so much pain, it spread like wildfire after the radiation! My mom trusted them to give her the best treatment with the hope of beating it! I just want everyone that is diagnosed with Angiosarcoma to have a fair chance, to have effective treatment options, and to get as much support and care as possible! This is a horrible disease, When I think about my mom's case, I feel obligated to share her story because she was not informed of the risk that came with the choice to go through radiation! With all do respect, just remember..."IT'S YOUR LIFE, YOUR BODY AND YOUR CHOICE!" You are in my prayers! Lets Keep in touch. #CANCERSUCKS#RIPMOM

I understand. It's miserable watching your parent die. Thank you for sharing her story. Thank you for your prayers!