Hello, I read multiple people who had not all margins clear having 2 or even 3 to 4 re-excisions.
I had a lumpectomy , invasive grade 3, fast growing. My tumor nearly doubled in 2 months. Cancer is present on one margin plus a DCIS with <1m from 1 margin.
Is re-excision at least a must if a margin is not clear post lumpectomy? IN such case is a choise given for a mastectomy?
Is anyone in such scenario left with a choise not to go for re-excision and have radiation instead?
The DCIS never showed up prior to surgery. I’m worried there are more yet not found.
I get no dialogue or options. I’m simply told what will or will not happen.
So sorry to read your post, with so much going on was wondering if a chat with your breast cancer nurse, as I feel you must be allowed to have your say in this, I know we need to be guided by our team.
You may well get offered radiotherapy, which should clear up anything left behind (so I understand) this is what I was told after my lumpectomy.
Also, our breast cancer team on this site are extremely understanding and caring you can always call them for a chat, I’m sure they will point you in the right direction.
Please come back and let us know how you’re getting on. Wishing you well with lots of happiness ahead.
Thanks Tili for responding. I will get radiotherapy but given my tumor has grown by 7mm per month before removal I have the idea this tumor will keep running away from it and i understand from here on the forum that radiotherapy makes you sick.
Happy e(aster)gg day!
I think the position of the cancer in the breast decides if re-excision should be done. My 35mm tumour was close to the top of my left breast and after the lumpectomy I was told another operation could cause the release of more cancer cells. Radiotherapy was recommended and the oncologist programmed it so that I was radiated close to the neck which should mop up any strays.
Of course I was worried about the possible recurrence especially as I had to have axillary node clearance due to cancer being present in four nodes. There was no offer of a mastectomy because this would not have made a difference to the situation. I was also told that my age (almost 81) and fibromyalgia were also a factor.
I would press your surgeon and oncologist for further details because you need reassurance. I too questioned their decision because I was concerned about the less than required 1mm clearance but I now know why they came to this conclusion. I had both DCIS and IDC plus lymph node involvement.
As regards radiotherapy it is a matter of pot luck with side effects! Mine resulted in breast lymphoedema for which I am having some successful treatment and increased neuropathy which could be due to Letrozole. However my breast surgeon commented that any side effect is better than having cancer!
I hope you find some answers to your questions.
You should be given the chance to ask those questions and I would advise writing them all down so that you don’t forget any of them and contact your BCN. You could also ask your Hospital switchboard / operator for your Consultant’s Secretary’s number and tell them that you need to clarify some things . They may suggest that you email the questions back to them to pass on to the Consultant.
Occasionally people have been given a choice between having re excision and radiotherapy but I doubt that would be the case for you the way you have described it and I think radiotherapy would be part of the plan for you anyway .
It’s natural to be scared of having radiotherapy - there are a lot of threads on here about it we use it to get practical support and help if we need it. I had fatigue and redness / some swelling and itching but 3 years down the line I don’t regret my decision to have it . Xx
Everyone responds differently to treatment however I didn’t have any sickness at all I was very tired I think you’re travelling back and forwards to the hospital didn’t help me other than that, I found this was, in fact, the easiest part of my treatment.
Take one day at a time at the moment, try not to worry too much (easy for me to say) be kind to yourself,
Oh wow bless you. I’ve got a ways to go to 81 but I don’t wanna miss it.
Thanks for your input. I have requested to speak to the surgeon already so waiting for response and given radioT experience from just the few of you here hopefully one potential possible relief for radiotherapy for me too. Still I think I prefer to have it all removed. Mine is inside under, I mean anything left is. I also feel a lump to the left of incision but I understand that may be scar tissue
@JoanneN thank you so much I’ve read many of your responses to other peoples worries I did get his secretary’s number but no luck on emailing them with my questions, they referred me to my BCN so sent her some.
More hugs to you Tili, I think I’ll go in a bit less worried on RadioT
I did get his secretary’s number but no luck on emailing them with my questions, they referred me to my BCN so sent her some.