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Newbie3312's avatar
Newbie3312
Member
5 years ago

Full mastectomy v lumpectomy

Hello everyone I hope whoever is reading this is well. 
I was wondering if anyone had any experiences to share if the would change anything about decisions made re the above. 
I Think I have the option for full mastectomy with the idea of getting implants later or just remove tumour in one breast. 
Both breast are very dense and apparently high risk. I’m going to surgeon next week but thought maybe if I had others opinions and experiences to help me make my decision. 
I guess I’m worried that if I only have tumour removed it will come back or just bite the bullet and eliminate any future problems??? 
Fors and against ??? What would you do differently?
Thank you x
lumpectomy
mastectomy
new-diagnosis
surgery

10 Replies

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  • Mira's avatar
    Mira
    Member
    5 years ago
    My surgeon originally said a mastectomy, but then she looked at me and said she could do a lumpectomy if I wanted.  I chose the lumpectomy with her and haven't regretted it.   It really depends on your situation.   I had radiation after the surgery and then hormone treatment only.   It's been 5 years now and no signs  of it coming back.  
  • Mags44's avatar
    Mags44
    Member
    5 years ago
    Hi @Newbie3312

    I went through the same thing initially. As per everyone’s advice, I wrote down some questions about current risk and future reoccurrence risk, and discussed this with my surgeon. This really helped as well as getting input from this forum.

    I actually went through with partial mastectomy but then following further pathology results, I then had to go back in for full mastectomy. I saw it as a journey of collecting more data and then doing what needed to be done to mitigate future risk associated with my case.

    All the very best to you and your upcoming surgery.


  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    5 years ago
    Hi @Newbie3312

    No need to reply unless of course you want any further information. If so, just start a new message under the thread and address it to whoever you want to talk to - so @Afraser for me, once you start typing, name options will come up on the screen. Best wishes. 
  • ddon's avatar
    ddon
    Member
    5 years ago
    You are replying perfectly as far as I can tell. 
  • Newbie3312's avatar
    Newbie3312
    Member
    5 years ago
    @ddon thank you for your reply. I hope your next procedure works out well and you’re happy with results. I honestly don’t know how to reply to these helpful messages. You guys have obviously been through a lot and I appreciate any information available. Thank you xx
  • Newbie3312's avatar
    Newbie3312
    Member
    5 years ago
    Afraser said:
    Hi @Newbie3312
    It’s very hard to make these decisions, isn’t it? Most of all, you want to feel satisfied that you have made the right decision for you. Your surgeon can be invaluable in this regard. You will want to know if a mastectomy or lumpectomy is the best option in his/her opinion, given your specific diagnosis. If you are not planning an immediate reconstruction, you may also want more details about your reconstruction options later on. You may seek advice on monitoring dense breasts. In my own case, a lumpectomy was not recommended (tumour was too large) but I have also been advised that the incidence of cancer in my remaining breast is no greater than getting cancer elsewhere. I don’t have dense tissue however so monitoring has been relatively easy especially with 3D mammography. It sometimes helps to make one decision at a time, pathology post surgery can turn up other information, for good or not so good. My tumour turned out to be slightly smaller (still too large for a clear lumpectomy) and only one of several very iffy looking lymph nodes was malignant. So plans may need a little adjustment at that point. Best wishes for your treatment, whatever you decide.
    Afraser said:
    Hi @Newbie3312
    It’s very hard to make these decisions, isn’t it? Most of all, you want to feel satisfied that you have made the right decision for you. Your surgeon can be invaluable in this regard. You will want to know if a mastectomy or lumpectomy is the best option in his/her opinion, given your specific diagnosis. If you are not planning an immediate reconstruction, you may also want more details about your reconstruction options later on. You may seek advice on monitoring dense breasts. In my own case, a lumpectomy was not recommended (tumour was too large) but I have also been advised that the incidence of cancer in my remaining breast is no greater than getting cancer elsewhere. I don’t have dense tissue however so monitoring has been relatively easy especially with 3D mammography. It sometimes helps to make one decision at a time, pathology post surgery can turn up other information, for good or not so good. My tumour turned out to be slightly smaller (still too large for a clear lumpectomy) and only one of several very iffy looking lymph nodes was malignant. So plans may need a little adjustment at that point. Best wishes for your treatment, whatever you decide.

  • ddon's avatar
    ddon
    Member
    5 years ago
    I felt that my surgeon was very focussed on just wanting to do a lumpectomy as my two tumours were quite small and I am still annoyed that I let him talk me into that. I had very dense breasts also and I just wanted both of them off. After a lumpectomy I then had to go back and get the full mastectomy and lymph node clearance because there was more disease that the MRI couldn’t pick up. I wanted the other one off too but my surgeon wasn’t interested in that so I am having genetic testing in 3 weeks time and will decide then.
     Losing a breast - or two - is not a small thing. Of course we would all prefer to keep them both in a perfect world, but when they conspire to kill you they become the enemy. I am treasuring my remaining breast right now because it’s time is limited. I intend to get it off as soon as I can because I am too afraid to keep it. 
    It is a difficult decision when you have a choice. And only you can make it - just try to stand firm in your decision and do what is best for you. You are the one that has to live with it. 
  • Newbie3312's avatar
    Newbie3312
    Member
    5 years ago
    Thank you both for reply. I’m not sure how I reply to both comments individually ? I really appreciate your feedback and will hot down all your thoughts.  Best wishes xx
  • June1952's avatar
    June1952
    Member
    5 years ago
    The best advice is to write a list of all your queries and take that when you see the surgeon.  If it is a man, ask him what he would want for his wife/partner as that often opens the conversation more.
    Ask what additional treatments may be required for each option.
    Ask if these treatments affect reconstruction options.
    Have you thought about the type of reconstruction you would prefer if you go for the mastectomy ?
    I had a mastectomy as I was given no other options.  In hindsight I am glad I did not have to spend a long time with additional treatments however I wish I'd known I could ask them to chop both breasts off.
    Putting your thoughts on paper will help you to make the right decision/s for YOU with no later regrets.
    All the best as you begin the road ahead, whatever the landscape.

  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    5 years ago
    Hi @Newbie3312
    It’s very hard to make these decisions, isn’t it? Most of all, you want to feel satisfied that you have made the right decision for you. Your surgeon can be invaluable in this regard. You will want to know if a mastectomy or lumpectomy is the best option in his/her opinion, given your specific diagnosis. If you are not planning an immediate reconstruction, you may also want more details about your reconstruction options later on. You may seek advice on monitoring dense breasts. In my own case, a lumpectomy was not recommended (tumour was too large) but I have also been advised that the incidence of cancer in my remaining breast is no greater than getting cancer elsewhere. I don’t have dense tissue however so monitoring has been relatively easy especially with 3D mammography. It sometimes helps to make one decision at a time, pathology post surgery can turn up other information, for good or not so good. My tumour turned out to be slightly smaller (still too large for a clear lumpectomy) and only one of several very iffy looking lymph nodes was malignant. So plans may need a little adjustment at that point. Best wishes for your treatment, whatever you decide.