Hi Ladies, Im 33 and was diagnosed with TNBC in March this year. I had lumpectomy surgery in April and have four weeks of chemo left - yay!!! (Dose Dense AC x 4 fortnightly and Paclitaxal x 12 weekly). I am currently in discussions with my surgeon about the next course of treatment for me - Radiotherapy or Mastectomy. I have had genetic testing which came back negative. My surgeon is of the view that radiotherapy (combined with the earlier lumpectomy) is the best course of action for me and that mastectomy will not provide any better outcome in my particular situation. I have done some research online and there seem to be a few small studies which support this course of action for non gene carriers with TNBC. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts???

Hi there, Sorry that you are having to deal with this and great that you are nearly through the chemo, it's a tough process. I was diagnosed triple negative back in dec last year. I also had a lumpectomy followed by the same chemo regime as you. At the time of my surgery they found another smaller tumour and quite a large area of pre cancer. They cleared it all and got clear margins. My surgeon told me later that if I wanted a mastectomy further down the line she was totally supportive of it. Long story short- I had a mastectomy two weeks ago and had a reconstruction at the same time. I am also going to have radiotherapy. In my case I had 3 positive nodes. I also don't have the brca mutation. I was of the view that I wanted to blast this thing with every option available. I was happy to do lumpectomy and radio only until I was made aware of the extensive pre cancer- then I just wanted it gone! Every ones situation is different though. Good luck with it all Lisa

Hi Amanda, you have probably already read that I had a recurrence of my TNBC 18mths after my initial diagnosis. Initially I had lumpectomy (although the margin was quite small it was considered clear). I had one positive node. I went on and had chemo and then radiation. I was never given the option of a mastectomy and just went blindly with my Drs advice. I was actually glad not to need a mastectomy. My recurrence was 6 months after treatment ended. It was about 2cm away form original scar. It was also 3cm! So whether it was a rogue cell that just didn't respond to treatment or a separate tumor that grew very fast remains a mystery. Everyone's story is different and there are many who have lumpectomies and radiation and never have any other cancers. It really is a decision only you can make. One thing to consider before your radiation is that if you were to want a reconstruction at a later date it does limit your options ( as I found out). I hope I haven't confused you or scared you. I know you have lots going on at the moment hugs Paula xx

Hi Amanda, I was diagnosed with Pleomorphic tumour in March this year and am also classified as Triple Negative. I did 12 weeks of Taxal/Carbo and had my very last EC dose 2 weeks ago. I also was offered a lumpectomy (breast conserving) but have requested a full bilateral which is in one weeks time, followed by radiation. This sucker (BC) is only getting one chance to kill me and has failed, the tumour is completely gone to the naked eye. I will sleep easier knowing that I have done everything that I can to prevent a recurrence ( I think the odds will have reduced to 7% when all treatment has completed). If it comes back despite all this then I will deal with it but I won't be constantly looking over my shoulder. It's a big decision to make, take your time. I deliberated for the whole 5 months of chemo. Best of luck with the rest of your treatment. Warm regards Debbie

Good luck Debbie I will be thinking of you. I've made an appointment to see my breast surgeon this week. I don't want to be looking over my shoulder either. sandy

Hi Amanda, great you are gene negative. From my research I agree. What was your node status? sandy

Radiotherapy v Mastectomy | BCNA Online Network

12 Replies

Linda_Adeline
Member
11 years ago
Hi, I am 49 and diagnosed with Trip Neg BC on 15th Aug 15. I opted for a double subcutaneous mastectomy with reconstruction done at same time done on 3rd Sept 15. As this was my 7th "lump" and cancer scare - I had very lumpy breasts prior. I am not able to have radiotherapy to the auxiliary area as the surgeon states it would destroy the implant and the skin flap would be necrotic (die) and it would result in total and radical mastectomy. So will be doing Chemo for 6 months then an auxiliary clearance after chemo. The left breast was cancer free but had 4 fibroid lumps. I don't regret this decision as I have had 7 cancer scares - and did not want to be worried about breast cancer every time a new lump is found. We have no family history of cancer going back 3 generations so we don't believe I would be positive for the BRAC1 or BRAC2 gene. We will focus on 3 months chemo - then next weekly chemo for 12 weeks then the surgery. I had a good clearance and one centennial node involved with microscopic cells in the middle of the node. I still have the awful drains in (out on 23rd) but don't regret the radical decision to have a double subcutaneous mastectomy. Besides the scar under each breast - they look better than before - very numb but see them as being safer - for me anyway.

Thank you for letting me share :-)

Linda
AmandaG
Member
11 years ago
Hi Girls,

Just thought id give you an update. I was initially leaning toward radiotherapy but after further discussions with my Surgeon i think bilateral mastectomy (and implant reconstruction) is the way to go as it would reduce my risk of local re-occurrence by about 25% (pretty substantial in my view) Would love your recommendations for a plastic surgeon in Melbourne. Thank you x
sgtoohey
Member
11 years ago
That's good news
lisboy
Member
11 years ago
Hi Amanda

You will be armed with lots of knowledge and will feel so much more empowered. Al the best with your treatment.

Lisax
mum2jj
Member
11 years ago
Good for you. Knowledge is power. You will know that whatever choice you make will have been an informed oneAll the best.

Paula xx
AmandaG
Member
11 years ago
Hi Ladies,

Thank you all so much for your feedback and support. I wish you all the very best.

I had initially decided on radiotherapy treatment but have put that on hold and made another appointment to see my breast surgeon tomorrow. The plan is to ask a more questions and pick her brain (again!!) Hopefully i'll come away from that appointment feeling a little wiser and can make an informed decision thereafter.

Once again, thank you

Amanda xo
AmandaG
Member
11 years ago
Hi Sandy,

No nodes involved.
sgtoohey
Member
11 years ago
Hi Amanda, great you are gene negative. From my research I agree. What was your node status?

sandy
sgtoohey
Member
11 years ago
Good luck Debbie I will be thinking of you. I've made an appointment to see my breast surgeon this week. I don't want to be looking over my shoulder either.

sandy
debbie_frandsen
Member
11 years ago
Hi Amanda, I was diagnosed with Pleomorphic tumour in March this year and am also classified as Triple Negative. I did 12 weeks of Taxal/Carbo and had my very last EC dose 2 weeks ago. I also was offered a lumpectomy (breast conserving) but have requested a full bilateral which is in one weeks time, followed by radiation. This sucker (BC) is only getting one chance to kill me and has failed, the tumour is completely gone to the naked eye. I will sleep easier knowing that I have done everything that I can to prevent a recurrence ( I think the odds will have reduced to 7% when all treatment has completed). If it comes back despite all this then I will deal with it but I won't be constantly looking over my shoulder. It's a big decision to make, take your time. I deliberated for the whole 5 months of chemo. Best of luck with the rest of your treatment. Warm regards

Debbie