What are my surgery options for cancer in droopy breast?

Posted by alizah @alizah, Aug 4 11:53am

I have very large droopy breasts and was diagnosed with a DCIS and focal atypical ductal hyperplasia in one breast and we tentatively planned an oncoplastic reduction, pending results of an MRI. The MRI revealed signicant scattered NME and the doctor is recommending mastectomy and even though the margins are clear around the skin and nipple, doesn't want to attempt to save it because my breasts are droopy.

I have read that some doctors recommend doing a reduction first before a mastectomy in order to save the nipple and I would prefer breast-sparing surgery to retain as much feeling in my breast post-surgery as possible.

Does anyone have experience with this?

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celestebradham | @celestebradham | Aug 5 11:53am

I would get a recommendation from an oncologist plastic surgeon.

Rubyslippers | @triciaot | Aug 5 2:16pm

I had a lumpectomy and oconoplastic surgery to reshape the right breast smaller, and a mastoplexy on left to reduce the size to match right. I started out as very floppy DDs ended up at C+. There wasn’t a question about other lesions. I am listed as have early background enhancement- but they did not see that as a reason to remove the breast.

I had DCIS intermediate grade, right side LOQ, stage 0, 7 mm after lumpectomy (was measured larger before a core needle biopsy and a fine needle biopsy were done.) 100% estrogen positive, 95-98% progesterone positive, HER not tested because it was stage 0.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Aug 5 2:54pm

You may be interested in these:
- Videos about Breast Cancer Surgery from Mayo Experts https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/videos-about-breast-cancer-surgery-from-mayo-experts/

@alizah, how are you doing? Were you able to consult with the plastic surgeon to learn about your options? When is surgery?

alizah | @alizah | Aug 6 12:39pm

In reply to @colleenyoung "You may be interested in these: - Videos about Breast Cancer Surgery from Mayo Experts https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/videos-about-breast-cancer-surgery-from-mayo-experts/..." + (show)

Thank you! No... not yet. I'm with an HMO that's jerking me around, but I've got a tentative appointment next week with an out-of-network oncologist, if the HMO can get him my records in time.