@AliB It really depends on many things, we all have similar diagnosis but there is such a variance within it, like some have a small lump or tumor, others can have multi focal throughout the breast, so many scenarios. Not unusual to have radiation after mastectomy, again really depends on the individual pathology. Whilst you both have the same Grade 3 you may have a different stage, that also impacts. I've known women who have had radiation after Mastectomy and then also some that haven't. You are right in that you have to have confidence in your Specialists. Theyve come along way with treatment and with Triple Negative.
I had DCIS only in 2011 and was treated aggressively with radiation and lumpectomy, clear margins, not a trace and 4yrs of Tamoxifen. So in their eyes my medical team, I did everything possible and yet I had a recurrence in the scar tissue of my lumpectomy 4yrs earlier. Insane?? they cannot explain it. So 2015 another lumpectomy, clear margins, clear nodes, clear bone scan and body scan. Stage 2 Grade 3 aggressive at a yearly checkup. Genetic Testing negative. Told to throw Tamoxifen in the bin, did 5 months of chemo put on Arimidex and 1yr after that they all said to have a mastectomy eventhough I was clear at lumpectomy, because I had a recurrence and they just didnt want to risk it. So I had a single mastectomy/diep flap recon in feb...pathology was clear on that breast. Its super super hard but faith in your Team is so important. I too though look at it now and say I am 2yrs clear from that surgery..do I have faith in the aromatase inhibitor?? not really not after Tamoxifen not working.
Hugs Melinda x
