lumpectomy vs mastectomy - why did you choose your route?
Comments
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starmusic- thanks for the encouragement! its been 10 days out since surgery, yes im still sore from the TE...like you, Ive been putzing around the house a bit, cant help it, maybe thats why the pain gets worse ha I have been staying up later and later...guess I better cut that down and get to bed earlier. My hubs will b home all week, so that ll cut some of the chores down...hes been so great and supportive
For those that have had mastectomies w immediate reconstruction, can you describe the pain? For me, its combination between burning, sometimes sharp shooting pain here and there, and electrical stimulation....also feels like wearing a warped underwire bra that keeps tugging into you and you feel like you need to adjust it, but theres nothing to adjust...how long does the pain last? my PS put in 120cc's immediately, and I go in next week for my first "fill up" as I call it..does the pain continue or does it change as you get used to the muscle stretching? The percocet works the best to mask the pain, tho Id rather not rely on that as it is extremely addictive. I was told valium helps a lot, but will that help with the pain? it would make sense as it is relaxing the muscle as it expands, thus less pain...
on another note, I saw my oncologist, and my treatment is hormone therapy with tamoxifen. No chemo my HER2 was negative, lymph nodes were negative(I did have a sentinel node dissection)and I am considered cancer-free....0 -
hello there deafitmom4,
The pain does get better in some ways..I no longer have the itching... The electric zapping feeling and burning only happens for a few days after each fill because I'm at the point of overfilling now..at first my fills were virtually painless all I needed was Advil and I would be a little sore for a few days....now that I have started to overfill in my TEs I need pain meds and alieve for a couple i after each fill but it goes away after that...hope you find what works for you...I have a feeling the pain will go away and just be uncomfortable after the fills have finished and after the exchange has healed it should be even better0 -
I had a DCIS right side with lymphnode involvement. They tried an initial lumpectomy but could not get clear margins so they then hd a mastectomy and the found the cancer throughout the breast and also in four lymph nodes. I had radio therapy which I did not find too bad and after arguing with them for a year they agreed to remove the other breast. So why did I want this? One breast was no good to me. I was permanently uncomfortable wearing a bra with a prosthesis and found it impossible to swim properly and and do my gym exercises. I am quite happy under the circumstances to be completely flat chested now. I choose clothes carefully and I find that having no breasts is not the end of the world. At the time when I was arguing to have the second breast removed they kept stressing it was no guarantee that the cancer would not recur but at a subsequent checkup with a junior doctor on the team he said that it massively reduced the chances of recurrence so I am happy with my decision. It probably helps that I am tall and slim so on casual observation I look normal
I once heard a breast cancer specialist on the radio saying that breasts are simply modified sweat glands- I find that a good thing to keep in mind. As someone else said it's not like losing a leg or an arm. I also have lymphodoema in my right arm which is a massive nuisance but at least I am still here.
I didn't have reconstruction because so many of my friends have suffered pain and post op infections and even a pulmonary embolism so for me it's not worth the hassle of more operations. I often feel that the reconstructive surgery is a bit of a vanity project for the breast surgeons but maybe Im a bit cynical. We must all make our own decisions. There is no right way to do this.0 -
Was it a male breast cancer specialist who said that "breasts are simply modified sweat glands"? I certainly have never thought of my breasts that way. Sweat glands don't feed your newborn children (not speaking from experience here, since I never had kids) and sweat glands aren't erogenous zones (my breasts have always been very important to me in that area).
I agree that losing a breast is not anywhere near the same as losing as arm or a leg, but when you consider that many woman who have mastectomies experience phantom feelings (itching, pain or even pleasure), it becomes clear that our bodies don't make this same distinction.
Having had no choice about the MX on the cancer side, keeping one breast was good for me. Not as good as two, but 8 years out from my surgery, I am very glad that I kept one natural feeling breast. So it really is a matter of personal preference. As for reconstruction, I don't think most breast surgeons care if you reconstruct or not, but I agree that for some plastic surgeons, creating a perfect breast might be a vanity project. However I think for women the reasons for reconstruction vary widely and can be a lot more practical than that. In my case, since I was having the single MX and I would be uneven, I didn't want to have to deal with a prosthesis every day. And I wanted to be able to wear my old bras and my old clothes - I didn't want to look any different at the end of all this. I think for me it was a question of trying to ensure that breast cancer had as little long term impact on my life as possible - I didn't want to give breast cancer the power to change my life beyond what was really necessary. So reconstruction was important to me to help me achieve that goal. I didn't worry that much about how my reconstructed breast would look - I know that it's a fake so I wasn't trying to make it look as real as possible - but I get dressed every day the same as I always did, and I wear the same bras and same clothes. That's what I wanted. For other women, the appearance of the reconstructed breast may be more important to them, and that's fine too. And of course it's fine to choose to not reconstruct at all - I think that's a great option (certainly the easiest) for women who choose to have a BMX.
claireship1, I do have a question about one thing you said. You mention that you had DCIS with lymphnode involvement. Was any invasive cancer also found, along with the DCIS? Or did you have an occult invasion, i.e. the invasive cancer was never found? DCIS by definition can't travel to the nodes, so any time there is nodal involvement, it is assumed that there has to be some invasive cancer present (usually in addition to the DCIS; IDC and DCIS are often found together). The presence of positive nodes also changes the staging. Pure DCIS is always Stage 0. With 4 positive nodes, depending on the size of the invasive tumor, the staging could be either Stage IIA, Stage IIB or Stage IIIA. What was your stage? With 4 positive nodes, did you have chemo?1 -
I am choosing a mastectomy of my left breast surgery TBD. I met with the Team Monday Radiation Oncologist and my BS Surgical Oncologist. It is a personal decision for me at this point. I found out I am ER-/PR-. they don't due HER2 for DCIS Stage 0 intermediate high grade. There is a study, if I would of chose Radiation. A lot played into my decision. Peace of mind, no radiation, reoccurrence percentages and the fact there is no medication I can take after since I am ER-/PR-. I still don't understand fully the hormone receptors. I have done some research. I am going to ask if I can be tested for HER2 and if that is negative, then my question is do I have Triple Negative BC? This is confusing to me? If the HER2 is positive, then it sounds like there may be something I can take, but again I am not sure. This is a gray area for me.0 -
gtgirl, I don't want to move away from the topic of this thread (lumpectomy vs mastectomy choice), so instead, here is a link to another thread in the DCIS forum with a detailed discussion of HER2 status for DCIS. There is also some discussion about ER/PR status as well: HER2 testing
It's important to always remember that DCIS is different from IDC. With IDC, many of the concerns about aggressiveness (grade, triple negative status, HER2+ status) relate to the risk that the IDC might develop into mets. With a diagnosis of pure DCIS, because DCIS cancer cells can't move beyond the breast (no matter how aggressive), the risk of mets doesn't exist (at least not unless someone has an invasive recurrence). Therefore because we are dealing with breast cancer that is completely confined to the breast, the threats from an aggressive pathology are not nearly so concerning as they are for someone who has invasive cancer. And because of that, the same treatments won't always be given to someone with DCIS as would be given to someone with IDC (chemo for triple negative and Herceptin for HER2+ being two examples). On the BC.org discussion board, most of the discussion centers around IDC. So it's easy for women with DCIS to become concerned about things that aren't relevant to DCIS, or worried that they aren't being properly treated because they have an "aggressive" pathology but aren't getting the same treatments as someone with IDC. So it's important to always remember that DCIS is different.0 -
I had a mastectomy for the breast containing DCIS. I asked about a double mastectomy and the surgeon suggested not, as I was in a hurry to get back to my then ill husband. I thought he had only days to live at the time though he survived 18 months longer. The surgeon said I might regret losing both breasts. So I have one natural breast left. I decided no reconstruction as it would have been a 7 hour op instead of a 4 hour one. The surgeon's advice was correct for my situation at the time.
Now two years on, my husband has since died (of lung cancer) and I am free to make decisions entirely for my own welfare. I have considered the question of a mastectomy on the other side and I have considered reconstruction. At the age of 69 I think I will do neither - can't face the bad effect that anaesthetics had on my thinking. I think it killed lots of brain cells and I prefer to keep my brain cells as far as possible. My brain is more important to me than my breasts at this age. I have some discomfort and surface pain on the mastectomy site but do not take painkillers as I have decided just to get used to it... which is happening. I don't feel it so much now. I have difficulty with prostheses as the remaining breast is large and I have some fear about developing cancer in that breast (though I know the odds).
So all in all... Happy about the mastectomy which was necessary due to multifocal comedo DCIS. Happy about having no reconstruction - don't want another man in my life. Quite like having a sensitive natural breast for self-pleasuring (hope nobody is shocked by this). Not quite so happy about prostheses difficulties and being lopsided. I can look back with hindsight and tell myself that a double mastectomy would have been preferable, but then I might have had two uncomfortable areas on my chest.
So hey. I had cancer. I am now well. The decision I made was not perfect but it was good enough. We don't have to make perfect decisions. When I remember how lucky I am to be alive, life is great.0 -
"So hey. I had cancer. I am now well. The decision I made was not perfect but it was good enough. We don't have to make perfect decisions. When I remember how lucky I am to be alive, life is great."
Now that's perfect!!
1boob, I love your post because it really reinforces how individualized this decision is. We all have our own reasons for making our decisions. And we all have different things that we can live with and make work for us, and other things that we can't or don't want to live with. Both you and I made the decision to have a single MX, but you decided on no reconstruction and I decided on reconstruction. Other women choose to have a BMX; some opt for reconstruction while others decide to go flat. Then there are all the women who choose to have a lumpectomy and are happy with that choice. The fact is that none of these options are perfect, because every one comes with downsides (as well as benefits) and because none of us ever wanted to be in this position in the first place. But you decide what's best for you and you accept that and move on and get on with your life.
I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your husband, but I'm glad that you had him - and he had you - for those extra 18 months.0 -
I'm due to go for my appointment at Mass General tomorrow to meet the surgeon and the oncologist.
Beesie, I just wanted to tell you that your post on Oct. 31st was very consoling to me. My DCIS (for now, anyway) is multifocal - one place .05cm - the other that was found .06cm. Estrogen and Progesterone negative. I don't know the ER status, but will find out tomorrow. It's also comedo type and high grade. I'd been reading before I read your post and the hormone negagive status along with the high grade comedo cells sounded like I wouldn't have a choice (and that might be a blessing, too, in some ways.) about whether to have a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. But in reading your post I see that DCIS options are different. What worries me is that this seems to be very quickly growing. I had a diagnostic mammogram in this breast in April and no cancer was confirmed. By October it's confirmed by biopsy and aggressive.
Maybe the recommendations will be so firm that I won't have to decide, because I think that in that case, I'd do what their experience told them was best. But I want to be prepared, so am reading all I can about your experiences.
Of course, in the short term, even if I'm in a high risk group for the DCIS coming back as IDC, the lumpectomy and radiation now seem so much easier to accept and deal with. But my sister, as I've told in another thread, went that route (although I believe her cancer was already invasive, because the took lymph nodes which were found to be clear and they wouldn't have taken them if it had been pure DCIS). She was more advanced than I believe I am now (although the lumpectomy will tell more). She had a recurrence of cancer 11 or 12 years later - only discovered last year and this time it's more invasive. Her current doctor believes this is a totally different cancer - for one reason it's hormone receptive this time and she's on meds). So, her recurrence may not have anything to do with her choice 12 years ago of not having a mastectomy at that time.
Our mother had breast cancer in 1978 at age 60, had an immediate mastectomy and radiation (at Mass General where I'm going). She had no recurrence in 33 years and just died two years ago. I know from talking to Beesie and Ballet that my situation is totally different from either of theirs physically and that treatment will be suggested based on my own personal situation. It's more that I'm identifying with each of them emotionally and by their experiences and of my reactions to their experience if that makes sense.
For instance, my mother had a mastectomy with no reconstruction - I don't even know if they did it in 1978. She seemed to handle it fine - was content with falsies - and they didn't even have to be professionally made - she would stitch a circle of panty hose fabric and stuff them. They were always creeping out of her pretty blouses and she would laugh. As you said, though, Beesie, I think that since it's available, I, myself would want reconstruction because - well, I can't even say why! I wish I'd be happy with no reconstruction, but I can't seem to accept that. It has nothing to do with vanity - I'm not fussy with my appearance. You'd think that since I knew my mother was happy despite one side flat, and because my husband wouldn't care, that I'd be able to accept it. I guess I wouldn't even care if I were flat-ish if I had a nipple and areola. Maybe I'd lose lots of weight in the future and both sides would then match (I'm overweight by about 30 pounds now and a C cup), anyway.
So, since I'm torn (at this point, anyway, until I hear what the doctors say tomorrow) would it be sensible to go ahead with the lumpectomy and wait until the pathology tests are back about whether there is anything else there or clear margins? And THEN be prepared to have the mastectomy with no misgivings? Or do women usually know upfront what they are going to do and just go for it?0 -
Personally, I think that if you have any doubts about whether a mastectomy is right for you, go for the lumpectomy (if it's offered) and you can always choose to go back for a mastectomy at a later date. Better that than regrets down the road ...0 -
It's a personal decision, as many have stated. I am having a MX tomorrow.0 -
gtgirl! Big hugs to you, and I wish you a speedy uneventful recovery!0 -
Maryanne
I had my lumpectomy at MGH in 2008. I agree that if you are on the fence, maybe have the lumpectomy and see what the pathology tells you. My surgeon told me up front that based on my MRI, mammogram and biopsy that there was no medical need for a mastectomy but she would do it if I wanted her to. I declined.... I just knew at that moment that it was the wrong decision for me. And if my pathology had come back different, I would have a chance to have further surgery. Turns out to have been the right thing for me. My oncotype was in the gray area, so I chose chemo--which I would have done no matter the surgery--so I am still glad I chose the lumpectomy. It is so personal---and I remember all too well how much I wanted to just get it out of me--I think I would have done anything---- but I appreciated the surgeon's measured approach.
Good luck-- it is a good cancer center--they know what they are doing. I had surgery there and treatment at Dana Farber.0 -
Thanks Ariom!0 -
Thought I would throw in my two cents worth. I had a right mastectomy with tram flap reconstruction in January 2012 after a diagnosis of high grade, multi-centric, multi-focal DCIS. Due to the extensive DCIS, lumpectomy was not recommended and I didn't want radiation anyways. My left breast was clear and the topic of a BMX was never brought up, no real reason to. Well, September 2012, DCIS was found in my once clear left breast. This time I could have had a lumpectomy, but I didn't even consider it. If something popped up in such a short time, I had no confidence that it wouldn't happen again, so I had another mastectomy, this time with lat flap reconstruction. I have never regretted either decision.0 -
I have been reading and getting a lot of information from this site but was never ready to contact you guys.
I lost my mom and all her nieces and my great grandmother to breast cancer. They were all in their 40 ies. Last May I went for a mammo and they saw something suspicious. To make a long story short this was may 7 th my gp wanted me to have an ultrasound ASAP the imagine center wanted to see my previous mammograms believe it or not the place I used to go was out of business it took me 4 weeks to locate the place were they dumped all my records. After the ultrasound I was advised to see a breast surgeon again they did not want to give me an urgent appointment without previous records ( I still did not have them in my hand) it took my GP calling a breast surgeon and pressuring that he really expected cancer to see me end June. This took almost 2 months.
From then on I had a surgical biopsy this revealed DCIS which was told to me as having pre cancer. My husband and I had to go in same day to talk about my treatment. We were both shocked to hear the further treatment of radiation and tamoxifen if it was "pre cancer"
The initial consultation with the radiation specialist cleared this up according to him there was no pre cancer this was cancer. My surgeon had in the meantime scheduled me for an MRI this one revealed more suspicious calcification after lumpectomy it revealed more aggressive DCIS.
At this stage I panicked did not know what to do anymore and cancelled my radiation. I called my surgeon went to see her and asked her opinion she mentioned carefully the braca test and mastectomy because I have a relative that battled breast cancer but ended up dying from a blood cloth from tamoxifen so tamoxifen was not an option since I had blood cloth problems.
I froze went back to my GP and begged him to help me sort this out. He send me for a second opinion ( after having to hear from a lot of people that I probably was misdiagnosed. That I was fine,...) the oncologist assured me I was not wrong diagnosed that this was serious since I had the family history and both breasts but that a lumpectomy or mastectomy had the same survival rate.
So again I did not know what to do. I went to my sons soccer game and ended up talking to a mammogram technician and what she told me did it for me. Survival might be the same but since I make it so easily I would have to deal regularly with the biopsies and the medical costs. My surgeon was happy because she was convinced mastectomy was the way to go for me.
I decided to have a mastectomy in September with expanders it is hard but I got proof that for me it was right they found more DCIS in the removed tissue.
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I have been reading these posts, which are very helpful, but I am still very confused. In October, I discovered bleeding from my nipple, went to my GP, then had a mammogram and diagnostic mammogram which discovered a ductal papilloma and was referred to a breast surgeon. I had the papilloma removed December 13 and the test results revealed cancer cells. The diagnosis was DCIS, stage 0. I keep reading here about ER +/- and HER2 +/-, but I have no idea as to whether or not these tests were performed or if so, what the results were (yes I have a cll into the surgeon and will ask. Anyway, the margins from the first surgery were not clear and I had a MRI done. The surgeon is recommending a second surgery - lumpectomy followed by radiation, but did mention mastectomy. . At first I was very comfortable with this and have actually scheduled the surgery, but now I am concerned this may not be the right path. Radiation would be difficult due to my job, but then so would the longer recovery period required by mastectomy. I have read that both treatments are equally effective and that the re-occurrence rate for mastectomy is slightly lower, but have not been able to find statistics. What questions, additionally information can you suggest to help in making this decision. Many thanks.
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i had exactly the same the day i had to start radiation i cancelled everything. I needed more time. I ended up with the mastectomy because i had so many calcifications and have DCIS in both breasts. I was afraid i would have to go thru many biopsies and the waiting for the results. Also financially it is very though on us. I know exactly how you feel i felt the same.
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thank u so much.
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If you decide to go with a 2x mastectomy, I want you to know that you are going to be fine - actually better than fine. I have a sense that people who have an easy time don't generally post on these boards. After being diagnosed with DCIS in my right breast, I had a double mastectomy, with expanders, last July 17th. I chose the double mastectomy in order to avoid the stress of twice yearly appointments and tamoxifen. Also, my plastic surgeon told me that he would have to operate on my "good" side anyway if I wanted a symmetrical result. To me, it just made more sense to me to take care of the problem once and for all. I'm 44 years old and have 3 kids - breast cancer is not in the plan.
I went into the surgery in good shape (did a lot of extra workouts to deal with the pre-surgery stress), and I found the surgery to be just a little harder than a C-Section. Unpleasant, yes, but certainly manageable. I stopped taking pain pills after a few days (although I took them at night for a little longer - it's a bit harder to get comfortable at night). I read a few books, rested and tried to eat a lot of protein. Once the drains came out (at 9 days) I felt much better - just a little achy. By week 2 I felt basically fine - I was going on long walks and drinking wine with friends. Four weeks out I went on a family vacation and flew to California to visit Legoland and SeaWorld and felt totally normal. The expanders are a little strange - I agree with another poster who said they feel like turtle shells, but 6-8 weeks out from the double mastectomy I was back to running 4 miles at a time. I got silicon "gummy bear" implants 5 weeks ago, and my plastic surgeon did a great job. They look really nice - better than my breasts before, to be honest. Granted, they don't feel like much and I don't have nipples yet, but I try to focus on being grateful whenever I get weirded out by this whole process.
For me, the most important part is that once I woke up from the surgery and found out that nothing had spread to any nodes (I had 3 removed), the scary stress was over. It was just a matter of recovering physically. No more nerve wracking waiting rooms, mammograms or dreadful phone calls. I just have to check in with my primary care doctor once a year.
Hopefully this will help someone!
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If I were to do it all over again the last choice would be mastectomy. I had no idea how uncomfortable, unnatural, and painful it is...at least for me. I wish I had read more of the reconstructive bco threads. My reconstructive implant is like wearing a iron bra. It is like wearing a too small/tight bra that you want to rip off but you can't. Every time I drive, stir food, or use the right side of my body my implant contracts. I feel it against my ribs. It constantly reminds me that I had cancer. No fun. Oh, plus once a year I have to have a mri to make sure the implant is ok...and see my oncologist a few times a year.
My P.S. recommends that I again go through surgery to replace it and put a gummy-bear on top of my pec muscle do to contractures and that scar tissue is forming around it hardening the implant. If I go through with it this will be my 5th reconstruction surgery! If I could chose again I would had again gotten a lumpectomy with radiation.
With that said there are those who are ok with it. It is better than dying from cancer. For a low grade cancer I know I wouldn't do it. I am so happy that I kept my left breast. Nothing like the feel of the real you.
It's a tough decision and I feel for you.
Want to add here is Beese was a huge encouragement and help to me when going through my cancer journey and has been on this board a long time dedicated a balance voice to those caught between a hard place and a rock. She has given a lot of time and by no means intends to hurt anyone. In the beginning of my cancer journey I was one annoying know it all.
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Hindsfeet, thank you!
The two most recent posts in this thread show just how different the experience of a MX and reconstruction can be for two different people. And that's the most important take away from this discussion.
Don't make your decision based on what happened to someone else because there is no way to know what will happen to you.
Don't decide to have a MX or BMX because someone else says that they found it to be an easy surgery and recovery and are happy with their results.
Don't decide to not have a MX or BMX because someone else says that they found it to be a difficult surgery and recovery and are unhappy with their results.
Make the decision knowing that you could land in either camp.
You might have a really easy time with it and be over and done within 6 months and live happily ever after with painless and pretty fake breasts.
Or you might have a difficult time with it and 2 years later you are still having revision surgeries and you find that living with reconstruction is difficult and uncomfortable.
Make the decision based on what's right for you to treat your current condition and with consideration to what might happen in the future and how you will feel in the future.
And understand too that a MX or BMX and reconstruction is not just about the surgery and the reconstruction process. Too often on this board we talk about a MX/BMX and reconstruction from the standpoint of the surgery and the time/difficulty involved with the reconstruction process, or from the standpoint of appearance. But the surgery and reconstruction process is temporary. And the appearance is something that you eventually adjust to, whether your reconstructed breasts meet your expectations or not (more often it's 'not', since too many women go into reconstruction with unrealistic expectations, thinking that they will get perfect perky replicas of their original breasts).
What a MX/BMX and reconstruction is really all about is living without your natural breasts and living with reconstructed breasts for the rest of your life.
Someone who had an easy time with the surgery and reconstruction might find over the next years that either physically or emotionally or even from a relationship standpoint (the sexual implications of a MX/BMX and reconstruction) they have great difficulty living with a MX/BMX and reconstruction.
Someone else who had a difficult surgery and lengthy reconstruction process might find that once that is all over and done with, they are relieved to be living with a MX/BMX and reconstruction.
The best anyone can do is to really think it through, really try to understand what's involved and what all the possible short-term and long-term outcomes might be, really look into themselves, and then make whatever decision is right for them. Then don't look back and don't second guess.
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I had calcifications that turned out to be grade 2 DCIS. At the time I chose lumpectomy and rads as I was terrified of losing a breast at 42. I have not tolerated Tamoxifen so went off it a year ago. Now im scared I will have a recurrence so im considering a BMX with DIEP. After a MX do you still have to have mammos? can you still get BC?
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Bluewillow, you can still get a local recurrence after a mastectomy because there are still very small remnants of breast tissue remaining. The odds are low but it happens. What is your recurrence rate without the Tamoxifen?
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I used an online tool that someone suggested and it said 10-16% ...if its accurate. Iknow that doesnt seem like a lot, but there is a family history of other cancers as well(i was the first with BC). My mom is now having a recurrence of thyroid cancer (DX 2012,had surgery and rads).
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Forgot to mention that 21 yrs ago when nursing my daughter I had mastitis. When my BC was first found they thought what they were seeing could have to do with that. But the biopsy confirmed DCIS,
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Hi Bluewillow, it's funny that you mention mastitis. It was 20 years ago, when I was nursing my daughter that I developed mastitis in the same breast that eventually developed DCIS. Over the past 18 years, I have had multiple biopsies (all surgical) of that breast exclusively, until recently dx with the DCIS (previously had ADH/ALH). It is only since the DCIS diagnosis that I had a biopsy of the other breast (totally benign) and that was probably because there is so much surveillance post diagnosis. I wonder if the inflammation caused by the mastitis set the stage for the eventual development of the DCIS. I was diagnosed with the ADH/ALH when my daughter was two years old, so there was a relatively short time frame from the mastitis to that high risk diagnosis.
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i remember having high fever, lethargic, pain and reddened breast on my right side...thats my cancer side. I am not familiar with the ADH/ALH terms...what are they?
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Hi Bluewillows, ADH is atypical ductal hyperplasia, and ALH is atypical lobular hyperplasia. These are benign conditions found on pathology, which increase the risk of the development of breast cancer. They are abnormal changes in the breast ducts and lobules. The ADH is found when microcalcs are seen on mammography (in the same way that DCIS is). For my recent DCIS diagnosis, on the initial core biopsy they found ADH, but the DCIS was found after the surgical excisional biopsy (lumpectomy #1). As I said, I'd had the ADH/ALH diagnosis many years ago, as well. Many people have these pathological changes and never know it. There are threads here on bco.org devoted to ADH and follow-up.
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I had a 1 centimeter tumor in my left breast and decided to have deip flap surgery and when they did the masectomy they found 2 lymph nodes. breast lymph nodes not armpit ones which is better I guess...but if I had done the lumpectomy they never would have seen it. I'm happy I had the masectomy I don't want to worry all the time
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