Axillary surgery vs Radiotherapy - opinions please?

Hi all,

Pretty new on here so potted BC history:

Initial diagnosis 09, Lobular, WLE, Rads, Tamoxifen
Recurrence May 11, just had mastectomy, Tram reconstruction - awaiting chemo when wounds healed. CLear CT and Bone scan, classed as local/regional - with wandering tendencies I would say!

I have been told today that when they removed my breast they found not one but two tumours and one of the six nodes removed was positive. I have been given the choice between surgery to remove the remaining axillary nodes or radiotherapy to kill them off.

I am meeting with my oncologist this friday to discuss but wanted to get some views from ladies who have had either of these procedures done as to how long it takes (radiotherapy) pros and cons, side effects both short and long term.

Thanks for taking the time to read this :slight_smile:

Ruby.x

Hi Ruby

I had a recurrence in my lymph nodes in June 2010. I had them all removed and then radiation to the axilla and chest wall. But my diagnosis was slightly different as I had 3 nodes affected with sizeable tumours, plus spread in the soft-tissue.

It takes a long time to recover from node-removal. A year on, my arm is still very stiff.

Difficult one. If there’s more cancer there, I think it would be best to have them removed rather than irradiated. But if you go for the surgery and find they’re clear, obviously you might be a bit gutted.

I had a mastectomy only to find there was no cancer in the breast. I have to say I felt pretty angry about it.

Best of luck, no an easy decision. xxx Jane

Thanks Jane - that is really useful, can I ask how many sessions of radiotherapy you had? Apart from arm stiffness have you had any other side effects? Do you know why they did surgery and radio? I have been offered either/or but not both at this stage…

How are you doing now?

Ruby.x