Forum Discussion
To reconstruct with mastectomy or wait
Hi, I'm a new member, diagnosed with High grade DCIS in the right breast. I'm a fairly big breasted woman and need to decide quite quickly to have one breast removed or both, as the left breast is ok ...
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Hi Maddi
About 4 weeks ago I was diagnosed with dcis and needed a mastectomy. I chose a surgeon who does an implant at the same time (smooth, saline filled over muscle). I am still in hospital so it’s early days but I am loving the result. My surgeon did an amazing job - and the cancer has all been removed.
However I have been told my margins are not clear as I had dcis of 7cm in length. I am now facing a few options with the worst case being a mastectomy to remove the skin and implant followed by radiation. If I want to reconstruct the only option is a tissue expander. All meaning I will quite possibly be back in hospital for another week in a few months followed by further procedures.
Every case is different however if I had my time again I would still have had the mastectomy with an implant at the same time. I am only 45 and personally would have regretted not at least trying. In your situation I might ask the size of the DCIS and what they believe the chances of a clear margin being once removed. I am not even sure if they could answer that though (all still so new to me!).
I wish you all the very best and send you all the luck in the world!
About 4 weeks ago I was diagnosed with dcis and needed a mastectomy. I chose a surgeon who does an implant at the same time (smooth, saline filled over muscle). I am still in hospital so it’s early days but I am loving the result. My surgeon did an amazing job - and the cancer has all been removed.
However I have been told my margins are not clear as I had dcis of 7cm in length. I am now facing a few options with the worst case being a mastectomy to remove the skin and implant followed by radiation. If I want to reconstruct the only option is a tissue expander. All meaning I will quite possibly be back in hospital for another week in a few months followed by further procedures.
Every case is different however if I had my time again I would still have had the mastectomy with an implant at the same time. I am only 45 and personally would have regretted not at least trying. In your situation I might ask the size of the DCIS and what they believe the chances of a clear margin being once removed. I am not even sure if they could answer that though (all still so new to me!).
I wish you all the very best and send you all the luck in the world!