Posted on: Mar 24, 2007 02:20 PM
along the coastal bend, TX
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,529
althea wrote:
I was reading a thread in a different section where a woman was debating whether to get a unilateral or bilateral mast. I personally chose to get a mast on the cancer side only, and LE is one of the big reasons I made that choice. I didn't want two 'bad' sides for LE concerns. One side is plenty thank you.
Then someone else posted suggesting that it's the node work that causes the LE and that a prophylactic mast wouldn't involve any nodes. I doubt that would've been enough for me to consider for a moment a prophylactic mast, but I would like to have a better understanding of the risk of LE on the side of a prophylactic mast. Anybody know?
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Binney4
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,367
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Mar 24, 2007 05:19 PM Binney4 wrote:
Hi, Althea,
As someone with LE on the left from having a single lymph node removed, and on the right from a prophylactic mastectomy, I can sure understand your well-placed concern about this!
And as NPat often says, many of her patients have LE after a simple breast reduction or augmentation, no nodes involved. The lymph system is compromised with any breast or chest surgery, because there are so many lymph vessels in that area and they can be severed. Scar tissue also serves to block the flow of lymph and eventually can result in LE.
Does that help any?
Be well!
Binney
sherry7
OR
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 255
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Mar 25, 2007 10:20 AM sherry7 wrote:
Hi Althea, I am with binney. I had a single simple mastectomy with no node removal and developed LE. I have read just the mastectomy can cause it, and it did. I think you are smart to investigate.
Wish you the best, Sherry
jinky
NS
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 933
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Mar 25, 2007 04:40 PM jinky wrote:
Hi Althea,
I had a prophylactic mastectomy on my right side and bc mastectomy on my left. Breast cancer in 2002 and prophylactic 2005.
I am happy i had it done as i found wearing a bra really bothered me and i felt lopsided. Also less worry about bc coming in my other breast.
I wear those shelf tops with spaghetti straps which have a extra layer of material so i put 2 foam prosthesis between the fabric.
On the pathology report for the prophylactic report there were NO nodes taken out in my chest wall.
I DO get blood test and blood pressure in my right arm even thou i know there is a small chance of le in that arm.
It was to much of a fight here in Canada to get blood done in my foot....no Doctor would sign for it.
Each one of us has to decide what we think is best for us.
If we are wrong than we have to live with it.
I do know i am happy i did it.
bc and le hugs Carol