I know every case is different however generally speaking, once we are diagnosed with Breast Cancer - which option (Lumpectomy with Radiation Therapy or Mastectomy) is better if the key objective is to eliminate the risk of recurrence?

Studies have shown there is no difference. Every case is different and personal preference etc

hi @"deepti.sinha" sorry you have need to join our forum. I believe it depends greatly on what the pathology shows.. Listening to your team and asking questions is a good way forward if you have a team already keep asking the questions you have until you are comfortable with the answers. The what and how thread.(this will help you navigate the forum) http//onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/14879/the-what-and-how-thread/p1 do you have a Breast Care Nurse yet? https//www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/OurMission/OurNurses/FindANurse.aspx My Journey Kits and other resources.this is where you can order your kit and other things. https//www.bcna.org.au/resources/ I am sure that others will come on from Melbourne area and answer your other post about services in melb. Soldiercrab

@"deepti.sinha" Yes you are correct...dcis is breast cancer stage 0. I believe @brightspace meants IDC...as invasive breast cancer. And yes correctly dcis fortunately means you are unlikely to require chemotherapy but will need surgery and possibly hormone treatment. Hopefully you'll have an appointment soon to discuss the treatment options. I didn't have dcis but went straight to IDC which fortunately I found incidently 5 weeks following a clear mammogram. I chose to go through the public system in South Australia as I believe they are often up with the latest research and usually have well coordinated teams. (The cancer research area was at the RAH where I worked) The same surgeons are the ones who often work privately. Mine does. I had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction through public which cost me nothing. Cancer treatment and surgery options can cost thousands above private health cover so it's wise to know this up front. Hope all goes smoothly for you.Kath x

Hi me again...I see on another blog you have a rare form of Invasive breast cancer and now found to have dcis also. I personally chose a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction in tbe 1st instance as I didn't want the risk of recurrence and not being found (with a teally sucky family history). I miss my breasts but feel happy with my decision. It's very personal and the surgeons will only offer lumpectomy etc again if they feel it is safe to follow this path. But if your gut says take the breast. ..I'd go with the gut. Kath

https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/treatment/breast-reconstruction/You may benefit from joining the http://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/1-choosing-breast-reconstructionThere's a wealth of information and knowledge in privacy.I had a mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with tissue expander and changeover surgery to implant.@primek will fill you in on her journey

Lumpectomy with Radiation Therapy VS Mastectomy

43 Replies

desinha
Member
8 years ago
Oh yes it has been quite challenging so far !! Coming to terms with the reality
Jen79x
Member
8 years ago
Its a rollercoaster journey isn’t it. Best wishes with all your decisions. It hard when we are still in shock
desinha
Member
8 years ago
Yes I have been diagnosed with Metaplatsic (Rare and aggressive Triple negative) cancer. Thankfully no Lymph node involvement for me as well however my genetic test result is still awaited.
Jen79x
Member
8 years ago
For the xeloda If I understand right I wil have that only if I don’t get the pCR which they won’t know until surgery - I think only 40ish percent get that? Mine tumour has reduced down to 1cm * 0.6cm crossing fingers it’s gone after the rest of the chemo. Are you tn ? X
Jen79x
Member
8 years ago
I am triple negative and brac1 so they are going to take the left side at the same time and reconstruct in the same surgery. I’ve had chemo first - ac-t but with weekly carboplatin added because if brac1 I have 6 more chemo to go then done ! Following that radiation (because of tnbc) and then surgery. Oncologist is being as agressive as can - I’m 38 think she thinks I can handle it (not easy for any of us)
Jen79x
Member
8 years ago
So unfair I typed this huge response and it’s gone ! I’ll start again
Jen79x
Member
8 years ago
No worries
desinha
Member
8 years ago
@Jen79x Thanks for the update. Its really useful. I have few questions though: 1) Double Mastectomy was your choice or recommended by Oncologist? Did you chose immediate reconstruction of breasts? Also did you go for Double Mastectomy straightaway after diagnosis without any initial surgery? 2) If there are no Lymph nodes involved, any specific reason of opting for Radiation? For how many cycles? 3) What's the recommended Chemo regimen for you? Is it AC-T? 4) Where are you in your treatment plan? Have you completed Chemo and Radiation? 5) Have you undergone any test to determine complete Pathological response or planning to go for Xeloda as a preventive measure? Sorry for asking too many questions :)
Jen79x
Member
8 years ago
I don’t know much yet either as oncologist only mentioned it on Tuesday but apparently it’s a oral form of chemotherapy, for us at the time of pathology they hope for complete pathological response being that there are no cancer cells left, but this only happens in 30 - 40% of tnbc. If there is still cancer cells the xeloda trial showed 6months lowered the risk of return of the cancer by 30% which is huge
i don’t know much about the side effects yet though
RachelG
Member
8 years ago
Hi @Jen79x, I have tnbc also but just wondering what xeloda is