Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
I am newly diagnosed and really don't have a clue of which option to choose. I don't have a lump, but one choice is lumpectomy with radiation (I only have calcifications that where biopsied after an abnormal screening). Masectomy only or Masectomy with immediate reconstruction. I am having an MRI this week to see how extensive the lumpectomy would be. I also am waiting for a consultation with a plastic surgeon and have a consultation scheduled with the radiation oncologist. I am hoping to have my decision and surgey scheduled for one month from now. Anyone out there that can give me some advice, I would greatly appreciate it. I had a lipscarcoma in my left thigh in 1998, had the tumor removed, tissue removed and radation. I now have lymphadema in the left leg and after menapaus and osteoporosis I had a fracture in my femur. I now have a titanium rod in my left femur and scar tissue from radiation and surgery that is now causing unrepairable damage to my femoral nerve, which is causing M.S. type symptoms in the left leg (no cure). So I am feeling confused about it all. Thank in advance for help!!!!
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Welcome, @rlwgrandma. We're so sorry you find yourself here, but we're glad you've joined our community and hope that you find the support and guidance you need during this difficult time.
We wanted to point you in the direction of two other forums in which you may also find some helpful information and advice from others, as you weight your surgical options. Our Surgery forum is a great place to start, and our Breast Reconstruction forum is a wonderful resource for info regarding your reconstruction choices and what those may mean for you.
We also want to let you know that we offer free, professionally led Zoom support groups —whether you’re in treatment, finished with active treatment, living with metastatic breast cancer, or caring for someone who is. If connecting in real time sounds helpful, we hope you’ll consider joining us.
We're all for you!
The Mods
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Hi @rlwgrandma, Your MRI should provide additional information to help you decide which type of surgery to have. Unfortunately arm or breast/truncal lymphedema can be a side effect of either surgery although it is more common with mastectomy. Radiation is generally done after a lumpectomy. Given what happened with your leg you should be careful with rads because whole breast radiation can cause nerve damage and other SEs. You should ask the RO about the possibility of partial breast radiation or even skipping radiation if your cancer is ER+ and you will be taking estrogen blockers. Even though plans are made before surgery the post surgical pathology can sometimes change treatment decisions. All the best going forward.
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Unfortunately, it's not estrogen driven. I appreciate your feedback very much.
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