Forum Discussion

swisha's avatar
swisha
Member
20 days ago

Another Re-Excision or Mastectomy?

Well, here I go again.  

I was diagnosed with DCIS in December.  It has been a long path, but I eventually had a double lumpectomy on my right breast on 26 March 2026.  A week later I was told that although they got clear margins, three of the margins on my largest lesion (4 cm) were less than 1mm.  So, I had a re-excision on 15 April to get wider margins.

I saw the surgeon this morning, who told me they found more disease and the new margins are still less than 1mm in two places.  I have to have more surgery next Wednesday but have to decide (by Friday) whether to have another re-excision (and my breast will be starting to look a bit sad after that) or go straight to a mastectomy.

She said it was quite feasible to try a re-excision again, to preserve the breast if I want to, but if they still find disease or don't get good clearances, then I have no choice but to have a mastectomy.

If I have the re-excision, I have to have radiation treatment for 3 weeks, 5 days a week afterwards.  If I have a mastectomy, then it's all done.  No radiation and no lymph node involvement.

Does anyone have any advice on what I should do / or want to share your story if you've had a similar experience?  I know it's my decision, but your advice is appreciated,  thank you.

dcis
lumpectomy
mastectomy

9 Replies

  • swisha's avatar
    swisha
    Member
    18 days ago

    Thanks so much for your reply. Yes, very difficult. 
    I'm glad you’ve had such success. Onwards and upwards x

  • motton's avatar
    motton
    Member
    19 days ago

    swisha​ I am so sorry you have to go through this experience 😞...it's a lot to process and can be very confronting.  I have a similar story having had a DCIS diagnosis last October. I had Lumpectomy surgery on left breast which unfortunately didn't receive clear margins. My 2nd surgery pathology results identified disease anterior in my nipple so I had to go for round 3 of surgery to remove the nipple.  Happy to say the final pathology came back all clear 🙂 and after 15 rounds of radiation I feel my breast looks and feels amazing for the 3 surgeries she endured.  The 3rd round of surgery I really felt - it seemed to knock me around more than the prior 2.  I had them in quick succession so assume the anaesthetic had an accumulative effect.  At the beginning of my diagnosis I was all about a mastectomy and was extremely confused...totally normal.  Whatever you choose, it is the right decision for you....trust in that 💕

    • swisha's avatar
      swisha
      Member
      4 days ago

      Hello,  Thanks for your message.  I hope you continue to recover well and have no issues.  I am all set for my mastectomy next week.  No regrets, we tried everything to save the boob 😁

      • motton's avatar
        motton
        Member
        2 days ago

        swisha​ sending you healing love for your journey ahead.  You've absolutely got this!

  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    19 days ago

    So sorry you are going thru this added stress & further surgery swisha​  You've been thru a lot already.   I was lucky & only needed the original surgery.

    It is a difficult decision to make and I do not envy you having to make it.  There is a possibility of more disease being discovered in another excision, as the lesions appear to be 'long' instead of 'round' (given the latest lack of clearance.) ... Is your breast 'large enough' to have another bit taken out (without the need for building up again?)

    How comfortable are you with the thought of having a mastectomy?   When I was first diagnosed, I was happy to go the whole way, if the surgeon deemed it necessary.  Luckily, that wasn't the case.  

    Maybe give our helpline a call for a confidential chat?  Just talking it out with someone else might help with your decision making xx 1800 500 258

    Take care & all the best

    • swisha's avatar
      swisha
      Member
      19 days ago

      Thank you arpie, for your reply.  I'm leaning towards the mastectomy and am not even worried about having a reconstruction at this stage, if ever.  I'm not large breasted, and so far the two surgeries have not made much difference to my breast.  The surgeon did say that she would need to take a bit more tissue this time, and it will definitely make a difference, so I would probably need some sort of prosthetic afterwards.  I didn't think about the helpline, I will give them a call. Thanks again.