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Nards's avatar
Nards
Member
9 years ago

Lumpectomy or Mastecomy?

Hi All
Thanks in advance for being an amazing network that allows people in our position to connect with others for support. :smile:
12 Months ago - almost exactly! - I was diagnosed with breast cancer in my right breast.  A 3cm tumour was removed as a lumpectomy plus the sentinel node surgery.  I also underwent chemotherapy and radiation but chose not to go on Tamoxifen.  The cancer was mildly Oestrogen receptive.  I do not carry the gene for breast cancer.  Now 1 year later I have had all my follow up scans and they have found a few small speckles of calcification on my left breast that they are unsure about. Oh no - here we go again!  It is way too soon for my brain and emotions to be handling this!  I know it could be nothing - but it is still too much!
Anyway they booked me in for a vacuum biopsy which they attempted to perform whilst in the mammogram machine.  I'm sure that I don't have to tell any of you but this in itself is not exactly pleasant - add to that the fact that the operators had never used the machine before and proceeded to read the instructions whilst my breast was compressed and experimented with putting the needle in and out at different levels - this went on for over an hour.  They got a sample, but it didn't contain the calcifications and my breast is bruised and battered, not to mention my emotional state!
Now I am faced with the decision of how to test the lumps...attempt biopsy again with the risk of another unsuccessful attempt (the calcs are quite deep) or remove them as a lumpectomy for testing.  My surgeon is suggesting the surgery to remove them, but I am honestly contemplating double mastectomy...is that crazy?
I am not sure how many times I can handle this stress!  Even if they take these calcs and they are all clear, could I go through this again in another 12 months time?  I am hoping that maybe others can shed some light as to their thought processes.  Do you eventually get over the stress of it potentially coming back or is removing the potential risk a better way to put your mind at ease?  What are your thoughts.
Many thanks in advance.

9 Replies

  • melclarity's avatar
    melclarity
    Member
    9 years ago
    Nards I think its great you are settled with your decision,thats half the battle. In 6yrs Ive had no regrets in the way Ive chosen 2 lumpectomies even after recurrence before finally succumbing to a Mastectomy now. Slowly but surely and doing all my homework on my case before making that lifechanging decision. Hugs Melinda xo
  • Nards's avatar
    Nards
    Member
    9 years ago
    Thanks everyone for your advice and support.  I have ended up booking in for the surgery to remove the calcifications.  After much discussion with my lovely McGrath Nurse (how beautiful are they?!) I came to the conclusion that I should take this step first and wait for the results rather than rush in to making a big decision. Thanks again :smile:
  • Harlee's avatar
    Harlee
    Member
    9 years ago
    Glemmis said:
    She said you can still get cancer after mastectomy but it is found quickly but it can also travel to the chest wall because there is no tissue. I had heard this but wanted to confirm. She then said it doesn't improve your chances of surviving, words of comfort! 
    Yes it is very important to remember this.
    Every one is in a different situation and your doctors should know what is the best treatment for you. I wanted a bilateral mastectomy but my doctor was against it. She told me that it is impossible to remove 100% of the breast tissue and you can still have a recurrence after a double mastectomy. I didn't want to believe that but then I realised that my friend had her second recurrence (in the skin under her arm) after her bilateral mastectomy.
    I know many choose mastectomy for peace of mind (that's what I wanted) but it's so important to have all the facts and be aware that the risk does not completely go away before you make your decision. 
  • Mira's avatar
    Mira
    Member
    9 years ago

    Brenda, I had a biopsy done via ultrasound too.  It took forever, but I kept myself amused by singing the muppets songs to myself.  At one stage when they asked was I alright I told them what I was doing, and I could swear they laughed.

  • fairydust's avatar
    fairydust
    Member
    9 years ago
    Hi Nards,it is a very difficult decision. However in my case I have the bracken 2 gene. I was also diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. I only had a lumpectomy. The surgeon stated in my case if the cancer returned it rarely comes back in second breast so no need for a double masectomy. Some women want both breasts removed for piece of mind. Some women have to. We are all individual
  • Brenda5's avatar
    Brenda5
    Member
    9 years ago
    A fine needle biopsy is often not good enough and I had to have a biopsy piece removed under local anaesthetic while the doctor used an ultrasound to pinpoint the exact spots to take it from. The biopsy apparatus can be injected then a spring loaded thing nips a bit off and its done. I had to concentrate not to move and they would warn me when the noise of the thing was going to go off but gosh its hard not to jump. Yes it left some horrific bruises which also made a swelling I had to get the surgeon to check on a week later as it had formed a clot in there. Wait for the pathology to come back before you make your final decision on what surgery to have. It might still be nothing yet. :)
  • Glemmis's avatar
    Glemmis
    Member
    9 years ago
    Hi Nards, it would be so much easier if the doctors said this has to be done rather than giving you multiple choices. I had calcifications in my left breast for 5 years (which I wasn't told of) & then diagnosed last year. Lumpectomy first & then because of widespread LVI mastectomy. I was happy to get rid of it because of disease but it is hard. I also had axilla clearance. just finished chemo & at surgeon the other day to discuss removing the other side & double reconstruction. She said you can still get cancer after mastectomy but it is found quickly but it can also travel to the chest wall because there is no tissue. I had heard this but wanted to confirm. She then said it doesn't improve your chances of surviving, words of comfort! At least if you have a lumpectomy & it is clear you have more time to think. Counselling would be an idea & can you speak to a breast care nurse. Best of luck!
  • Zoffiel's avatar
    Zoffiel
    Member
    9 years ago
    Bloody hell @Nards , that sounds absolutely barbaric! I know everyone has to learn but I can see why you wouldn't be putting your hand up for the combination boob suck and squeeze deal again.

    If you are thinking of a bilateral mastectomy, please get some counseling. Yes, I say this to everyone but it can make such a difference if you have to convince a reluctant surgeon (many of them are surprisingly squeamish) that you really do know what you want to do with your body. It's rare that we can make totally independent decisions about our treatment--there always seems to be somebody else who's opinion needs to be considered or who, for what ever reason, feels that you need to be second guessed. Use the system that is in place to help you prepare mentally and you will also have made a strategic move that could save you some grief and arguments in the future.

    PS, I'm all for bilateral mastectomies, you cant get cancer in a tit you don't have. Which doesn't mean you are safe because this stuff is sneaky, but it's one less thing to worry about. 
    Good luck. 
    Marg
  • melclarity's avatar
    melclarity
    Member
    9 years ago
    @Nards honestly it is a tough call, the fear never goes away! I had a recurrence at 4yrs after having done rads and tamoxifen. 2015 I had recurrence similar size, lymph node removal and clear, chemo and now on Arimidex. I know of those awful biopsies you speak of and found them completely useless!!!!! having done this twice now, I would only opt for a lumpectomy than the path I did of 2 different type biopsies that didnt work anyway, waste of time and pain! Its really an individual choice in terms of do you just do Mastectomy and be done with it, am sure there are heaps that do. My recurrence was in the same breast and due to that I decided on Mastectomy and Diep Flap Reconstruction which I am only 9 days post currently. I am all clear and healthy and very happy with my decision to keep my right side as its never been an issue. Id find out first exactly what the spots are and correct diagnosis before making a huge decision. Hugs Melinda xo