Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Welcome and sorry you're here, Stepitup0. Another thing to consider is that when you have a mastectomy (and have a choice such as you have), your breast is gone. And nothing can replace it. Plastic surgery can help you look nice. Many women choose a lumpectomy for the reasons Sandy mentioned above. Your recovery time is usually rather quick for major surgery. And you still have your breast. Even women who have gone on to need a mastectomy don't regret having done a lumpectomy first. It's a case of doing the least amount of surgery to ensure a good result (getting rid of the cancer).
But no one can make that decision for you. Once you make it, don't look back. Don't second guess yourself. You will have decided what is the best for you given the information you have.
Good luck and keep us posted on what you decide.
HUGS!
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Stepitup1- so sorry you had to join us, but welcome to the club. I agree w Sandy, we've always said the recovery from lumpectomy is easier than the mastectomy surgery. And they take less with LX, you can always go back for more; but if MX is done, no going back so to speak.
I am small breasted, and avoid bras at all costs. My tumor was at 12 o'clock, LX w reexcission, and my breast looks like a divot was removed. I've only had one bathing suit show it, and I adjusted the top straps to hide it. No regrets.
Radiation to the breast made it appear "perkier" than the non BC breast. It's like my 18 yr old boob on the left, and my 61 yr old boob on the right.
It's a lot to absorb. But you'll make the decision that's right for you. HUGS
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Hi Stepitup- My tumor was just over 1 cm and located at 12:00. I wore a size 32 C prior to diagnosis and had a lumpectomy. My BS went in through the aerola and I have almost no visible scar. I had chemo and radiation. Like others here have said, a lumpectomy can be an easier path to to take. But be aware that there can be complications with that surgery as well. Good luck with the surgery whatever you choose.
Abbidoodle- my BS said that I had delayed reaction to radiation - not lymphadema.
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Thanks! I feel as though I am truly overthinking this. Honestly I probably am. Geez this is so nerve racking. For the last few weeks I have noticed that my sleep is very broken because my mind will not turn off. I sure hope and pray that I do make the right decision. I think what is killing me in the decision making process is knowing that this could happen again down the road...Jesus take the wheel...
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I was diagonosed in June 2019 with Invasive MBC, 11mm. Before surgery, my BS said that given the size and the fact that it didn't appear to be in my nods I would be a perfect candidate for lumpectomy. This surprised me in a good way, as I thought my only option was mastectomy. Then I learned that the odds of recurrence with mastectomy were only slightly better (0.25%?) compared to lumpectomy and that the recovery from lumpectomy was faster and with less possible complications. Of course, there is also the question of having radiation therapy after lumpectomy... Anyway, there is plenty of literature on the matter on this forum and online. I just wanted to say that now, 10 months after surgery and 6 months after radiations, I am really happy with my choice. It took a long time for my breast to recover after radiations and only now I can feel it is beginning to feel more like my unafected breast. The tumor was in the lower part of my right breast and were it was there is now a dent, which is to be honest not the best of looks, but still acceptable. My nipple remains twice the normal size, and even though the scar from the surgery has been healing nicely, it is visible, with the areola enlarged. All these I consider minor inconveniences, compared to the fact that I still have my breast and that the recovery after surgery and rads happend without any major pain or complications. My medical team said that it would take between 1 and 2 years for my breast to "settle". So, when it comes to the question lumpectomy vs. mastectomy, I can say without a doubt that I would choose lumpectomy all over again. Having said that, I know everyone's case is different, so it is up to us to make the decision we believe it's best for us.
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Though the chance of recurrence is slightly lower with mastectomy, long-term survival is exactly the same for both types of surgery. And you might not need the 33-treatment radiation protocol--I had only 16 sessions. My R breast (always the smaller one) did swell to the size of the L one for a few months, but it never hurt and I didn't have any burning, itching or peeling--just pink that turned to tan. Once again, it's the smaller of the two--but you'd have to look for the scar and it actually looks healthier than the L one (which, even after weight loss, droops nearly to my waist).
But seriously, before surgery get tested for genetic mutations--a positive result would influence the type of surgery recommended. (Especially if you have Ashkenazi Jewish, Quebecois, Cajun, or Irish ancestry). I stupidly didn't mention to my surgeon beforehand that I'm Ashkenazi Jewish--I let it slip offhandedly to my oncologist at our first visit (a week post-op). She had me drop everything and go downstairs to Genetic Counseling, where I was tested. I sweated it out for over a week till I found I was negative for all mutations. Until I knew, I couldn't go ahead with radiation in case I would have had to get a mastectomy, because radiated tissue doesn't take kindly to implant reconstruction.
Buy (or download) Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book (the BC "Bible") and the one by Dr. Elisa Port. They are very comprehensive about surgery choices, genetic testing, and the like. And ask your surgeon whether your hospital's patient portal has access to the EMMI series of patient-education videos--there's one for practically every type of procedure.
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Setitup01
I was diagnosed with stage 3 triple neg breast cancer July 8, 2019. I had 6 months of chemo, lumpectomy with reconstruction, no implants or expanders, on right breast. Tumor was 2cm 8 o'clock position. Tumor was gone by the time I had surgery, Feb. 13 2020, I also had sentinal node removal. then radiation. I still have my breast, dimpling from radiation. but considered to be no evidence of cancer at this point
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Thanks! Today I wait for the surgeon to call me so that I can get on the schedule. I have decided that I am going with the lumpectomy. Thanks ya'll for all the feedback.
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Stepitup01, Glad you made your decision. I think it is the right one. But more importantly YOU think it is right for you.
BTW, please do fill out your profile and under SETTINGS, make each and every item regarding your diagnosis and treatment PUBLIC so it will show up after each post.
We're here to answer all your questions (hopefully). And do take ChiSandy's suggestion on books to read. I tore through Dr Love's "Breast Book" when I got diagnosed. It was very helpful. And more helpful was all the support I got here at BCO. Hope you find it so, too.
HUGS!
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stepitup01:
Wishing you all the best, fast recovery and an easy mind going forward and surpassing it all.
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stepitup01: Apologies for not responding to your queries. Saw that ChiSandy and PontiacPeggy both gave you excellent info & had nothing else to add. Sounds like you made the best decisions for your circumstances. I did lumpectomy w/radiation and then 5 yrs aromatase inhibitor tablets. Unless I am unclothed, no discernable difference between my breasts. Happy w/the outcome. Wishing you all the best with surgery, aftercare, etc.
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I have been put on the schedule for 24th for my lumpectomy. I'm curious to know. Who had this done being stage 1, clear lymph nodes, ER and PR + HER2 - and still had to have chemo
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Stepitup1 - after my onco score came back my MO recommended chemo. I balked, I wanted the TaylorRX study information which at that time had not come out yet. MO agreed to let me finish rads before I had to decide.
I opted for no chemo. Months later the TaylorRX study came out and confirmed my decision. BUT it could have as easily confirmed the MO recommendation.
Best of luck with your LX.
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At the time my OncotypeDX came back as 16, that was at the upper end of "low risk" (with 18-25 being considered "intermediate risk"). My M.O. said that chemo was unlikely to work and even if it did, its risks would greatly outweigh any possible benefits. The first TAILORx (I think that's the correct spelling--the name "Taylor" had nothing to do with it) study focused only on British women whose scores were 0-10, and unsurprisingly reported that forgoing chemo had no risks in that group. It considered scores of 11-17 to be intermediate, but not necessarily intermediate-"risk" because it hadn't yet analyzed the progress of that cohort.. The latest arm (2019) eliminated the "intermediate risk" category (bringing it into line with Mammaprint & Prosigna assays), and expanded the "low risk" score for postmenopausal women (>50) up to 25. Furthermore, in women 41-50 with clinically low-risk (<2cm, grade 2 or lower) tumors, it found chemo conferred no benefit. It did suggest chemo might benefit women 40 and younger with scores over 16.
So stepitup, what is your OncotypeDX score (assuming your core biopsy yielded enough tissue to perform the assay)? Most MOs wait until lumpectomy to order the OncotypeDX assay, since there would definitely be enough tissue in the removed tumor to yield a tissue sample large enough to test reliably. So your MO would likely not even have you begin radiation until that test is back--unless the surgical path found clinical signs that point to low-risk (size <2cm, grade 2 or lower, node-negative, ER+/PR+/HER2-) so that chemo would likely neither work nor be needed. If chemo is necessary, it is usually done before radiation.
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Stepitup - My Oncotype DX score of 26 was, in the terms of my BS, in the "greyest of grey areas". Given the very early detection, size, stage, negative sentinel node, etc. of my tumor indicating low-risk, he advised he would be comfortable with no chemo, but it was my choice. My choice was no chemo. Hope this helps.
PS - ChiSandy is very good resource for info.
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Sandy - Correct TAILORx.
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Sandy - Correct TAILORx. Its been years, I should have looked it up again before typing.
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stepitup....my oncotypedx was a 24, this was before the TAILORX study was published. Chemo was on the table and my choice....I said no. I'm going on 6 years and doing great!
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Looking for advice. Did anyone have PET scan after all treatments? Superstitious to have port out. 5 of 12 lymph nodes even after chemo.
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Benji69 - no PET scan for me after treatment. Just mammograms, blood draws and check ups these past couple years. I had surgery before chemo so there’s really no saying what effect the chemo and radiation had. I count my feel-good, post-treatment years. It will be 3 in August.
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Question for you ladies who had lumpectomies. I am scheduled for a bi-lateral lumpectomy on Wed Aug 19. Left side has cancer idc, grade 2 size somewhere between 8 and 15 mm (radiologists got 2 diff measurements). Right side has Radial scar/sclerosing lesion, a little smaller. Should I expect to change cup size after lumpectomy? I wear a C now, but lefty is like a C+ and righty is a normal C. I have no idea what to expect after, how much tissue they take out, whether they are going to move tissue around to fill in the hole, etc. Any information is welcome, starting to get really nervous. Got my Savi Scouts inserted today. That was fun. One in with ultrasound, other had to go in with mammogram.
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Arabiansrock- sounds like the tumors are very small. Mine was a tiny bit bigger and I did not change from a B cup. Seems like when they do a lumpectomy, the hole they create fills in naturally (especially with a small lumpectomy). So my opinion is that once you heal and swelling goes down, you will be back to your normal size.
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Arabiansrock, when I had my lumpectomy my tumor was 7mm. When removing it a margin of tissue was also removed to ensure the cancer was gone. About 3-5 days later I got my pathology report with clear margins, 👏 all lymph nodes were clear. I also had a Savi Scout which helps to pin point the tumor & minimize the amount of tissue removed. I had my reconstructive surgery (oncoplastic) at the same time as the lumpectomy. My PS took the remaining tissue creating the breast then my right breast was reduced to be symmetrical with my left. I was a 42 C prior to surgery after all swelling was gone, about 3 months later, I was a 42A. 😕 The important thing to remember everyone is different along with different types of surgical procedures. I keep my focus on being cancer free! The key is remain strong and positive! Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers
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Arabiansrock, it's been 7 months since I had lumpectomy, in my right breast. It took much longer than I expected for the swelling and the hardness from scar tissue to resolve, but resolved it did. I am the same cup size (36B), after the 11mm lump and surrounding tissue were removed. I do have a visible indentation, maybe because the lump was in the lower quandrant of the breast, and my right nipple is still larger then the other one, but this is all in terms of what's different as far as the looks and shape go. Best of luck and speedy recovery.
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killed my breast cancer in one hour with cryoablwithout cut/burn/poison standard cancer industry treatments. Disgusting it is not covered by insurance.
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Thank you everyone. I will assume that I will not change sizes. It would be nice if there was some sort of silver lining in all of this. Haven't found it yet tho.
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On July 24th I had my lumpectomy. Two weeks into recovery I developed a hematoma. Had to go into office to have drain. Had more drainage had to go back to dr office. Dr decided to do surgery today to clean out hematoma more. In which there was more when she went in. Now I am back to recovery...has anyone had this to happen to them...if so did a hematoma develop after second surgery...does any know what causes this???
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arabiansrock
I had a lumpectomy in Feb this year. with reconstruction. and reduction of opposite breast. I dropped 5 cups sizes. I went from 34G to 34C. Radiation did cause a dimpling along one of surgical lines. For first time ever I can buy bras off the rack, not go to a specialty store! This was a plus for me. TNBC Stage 3 with lymph node involvement
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arabiansrock, my tumor was 1.3cm (13mm). To get clear margins, they removed a chunk about the size of a ping-pong ball. At the time, I was a 38I (basically an average between the two breasts, with the unaffected breast a cup size bigger). A seroma filled the tumor cavity, which swelled a bit after radiation, to the point where I had to go up to a 38J or a 40I. As the seroma shrunk over the course of two years, my R breast shrunk back down to where I could wear a 40G or 38H; after a (deliberate) 70-lb weight loss, I'm now a 36I or 34J. (The R breast looks round & perky; the L one is almost 2 cup sizes bigger and droops like a beagle's ear). Remember that a given cup designation letter's volume changes with the band size--go up a band, go down a cup and vice versa. So a 34J breast is the same size as a 40G.
imorris, the reason insurance doesn't cover cryoablation is that it is still a highly experimental treatment that has not been around long enough (nor administered widely enough) for there to be published peer-reviewed studies. Impossible as of yet to ascertain 5-and-10-yr. recurrence & survival rates, which is the main metric of success. The way to get around having to go out-of-pocket is to qualify to participate in an approved clinical trial, which is paid for by the academic institution administering it. If you recall about 20-25 yrs ago, bone marrow transplants for breast cancer were all the cutting-edge rage, but insurance considered them, too, experimental and refused to cover them. Turns out that the "experiment" did not pan out; they are performed and covered now only for myeloid (bone marrow & blood) cancers. I hope your cryo continues to prove successful 5 years out; if so, maybe by then there will be peer-reviewed studies validating it, and insurance would (grudgingly) cover it. Meanwhile, it is wrong to sneer at current standard-of-care as "cut/burn/poison standard cancer industry" treatments. The very fact that you use the term "cancer industry" is very revealing. More than that I will not say, lest the Moderators reproach me.
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Imorris, while I am happy cryoablation worked out for you, I find your words to describe the current standard treatment rather insensitive. Finding out one has breast cancer is hard; then having to make the decision what treatment would be best, it is not an easy one. We need to be/speak respectful of it. We all hope that better treatments will be made available as reasearch and studies continue to be done. Meanwhile, I am greatful I have been receiving the best treatment and care currently available. I also have a great deal of appreciation for all of us who have been on this journey.
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