Hi ,Can anyone help?my scan showed tumour to be 10mm but when they got my results after my op it was 35mm.Just getting my head round the fact that I will now be getting chemotherapy should I consider that I may need an mx or is there a chance I could still get clear margins? I will be going back in on the 6th . Thanks meggy x
Hi meggy, the consultant originally thought my tumour was 23mm from the ultrasound etc… So I was booked in for a lumpectomy. After the operation it turned out to be a 49mm tumour so quite big and ouble what they originally thought but my consultant did a fabulous job and did get clear margins! So yes I would say it is definitely possible. Looking at my boob the only evidence of the op is a very long but very neat scar (I also had full node clearance).
Good luck and fingers crossed for those margins xx
Hi, both your stories similar to mine, had WLE on 4th Apr, tumour expected to be 17mm but turned out to be 34mm so back in this Weds the 1st May for 2nd go at clear margins. Sounds bizarre but I actually asked if I could have a mastectomy as I just wanted rid of the whole thing but apparently they avoid it if they think they can get it all with WLE. BS made an obscure remark about how I might end up with a mx anyway which I didn’t understand at the time but now think must mean if no clear margins after this op?
Must say the most difficult part for me has been the lymph node involvement (had 2 affected but they removed all of them) which now means chemo and that’s the bit that’s really scaring me. xx
Hi ladies ,Thanks for the replies.I am trying to stay positive as my lymph nodes were clear .jlr thanks for that I thought with the size they wouldn’t be able to get clear margins you have made me more hopeful.Maxie will be keeping my fingers crossed for you on Wednesday ,let us know how you get on .thanks again and take care meggy x
Hi Meggy-moo,
I think it sometimes depends on the size of your breasts, and the exact location of the lump. The bigger your breast the better the chance of clear margins as there is more tissue to go at, if you see what I mean.
Good luck, xxx
Thanks Meggy, fingers crossed for you too on th 6th x.
Lola, yes that makes sense, never thought of that before, my boobs are quite small but the lump is right at the front so easy to get to, will wait and see what it looks like after this next op, at the mo very neat scar and funnily the shape looks better than my other boob because the scar has sort of lifted it up! Truthfully tho think vanity sort of goes out of the window as all we really want is to be healthy and get rid of the nasties! xx
Hi Meggy-moo, I had 35mm tumour and clear nodes and needed two ops to get clear margins which the surgeon did. I had 15 rads and now on Anastrozole for five years. It was a grade 2 mucinous carcinoma with DCIS , plus SNB which was clear also.
I have big ‘boobs’ so they got clear margin OK but was warned I would need mx if they could not get clear margins . Thankfully they did! Katy.
Can someone please explain what clear margins means, I keep seeing it on posts. I am at the beginning of this journey so have a million questions.
x
Hello Samjs
I’m sure other users will be along to support you soon but in the mean time you may find it useful to contact our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 and talk to one of the staff, opening hours are Monday to Friday 9.00 – 5.00 and Saturday 10.00 – 2.00.
Best wishes
June, moderator
Hi samjis,If you go into hospital to have a lumpectomy also known as a wide local excision ,you might see it as a wle on here.They will remove the cancer and a border of healthy tissue from round it ,this is sent to the lab to be tested if the border has no cancer cells they have got clear margins.If it does contain cancer cells they have not got clear margins and this will require another op.I hope this helps you.take care meggy x
Hi
My tumour was larger than they originally thought. Had 2 ops lumpectomy (WLE) and - second to get clear margins and do full node clearance as had 2 affected nodes. This went well they got clear margins so no need for mastectomy. Good luck!
NB x
Hi,was going to post yesterday but I have been to upset.There is still one area of no clear margin and have to go back in on Monday for a 3rd op.The consultant said that all the grade 3 cells got taken on the 1st op,it is now non invasive but if they don’t get them removed i will be back in the same position in the future.Think I am heading for an mx and really struggling emotionally with this.Take care meggy x
Hi Meggy
I’m sorry to read you’re having a tough time at the moment. As well as the support you receive here you might find it helps to talk through how you are feeling with a staff member on the BCC helpline. Here you can share your concers with someone who will offer you emotional support as well as practical information. The number to call is 0808 800 6000 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9to 5pm and Saturday 10 to 2pm.
Best wishes Sam, BCC Facilitator
Hi Meggy, Sorry that the margins still aren’t clear. I had two goes and only got clear margins after the second because the outer margin was the one which wasn’t clear and they reached a point where I had no tissue left on that side. One of my friends had 3 x WLE and eventually got clear margins on the third, so a third op doesn’t necessarily mean an mx, I think it will depend on your preferences, where the lump is, how big a proportion of your breast this represents. We are all different sizes and shapes. The surgeon will give you a view on what they think the best course of action is, or maybe even a choice between two options.
I also wanted to avoid an mx. Had they told me straight away that that was what I needed, I would clearly have done it, many of my friends had an mx and several with immediate or delayed reconstruction. Somehow believing that I didn’t need one and then thinking that I did, I was devastated.
In the end it didn’t happen, they did say though that I could have had an immediate reconstruction if I had had an mx and maybe even a nipple sparing one as I didn’t have spread to lymph. I have an almighty chunk missing and a fairly large scar, so I sometimes wonder if it wouldn’t have been easier just to have the mx. Apparently then I wouldn’t have needed to have radiotherapy either.
It is a horrible time and so emotional. Sending hugs x
Hi Meggy,
its a horrible time isn’t it? It’s the waiting for results all the time that’s so hard.
I get the results from 2nd WLE today, have the impression from what they said to me before last op that my BS won’t do a 3rd (or maybe it’s just size of boobs or location of lump?) so would be mx for me if I haven’t got clear margins.
Am sort of prepared for this but don’t think I could face reconstruction at same time, think my bodies been through enough for the mo. Will be more upset because if it is a mx it’ll delay the start of chemo, and while Im dreading that Im also keen to get started and get it all over with asap if that makes sense.
Anyway wishing you well with your next op, they must be quite confident that they’ll get clear margins with you or they wouldn’t have decided on it I think?
Sending hugs and positive vibes your way!
Maxie xx
Hi, I want to thank you for you replies.Mary grace what you have said is how I’m feeling that the road that I am on isn’t necessarily the road I’m going to stay on and I can’t cope with two roads at the same as it is messing with my head so will deal with my 3rd op and see what happens from there.My BS has done an excellent job as my lump was at the front he has went in on the edge of the nipple area so you can hardly notice anything has been done apart from it being a little smaller.Maxie I hope this is the case that he is confident he can get clear margins but he is a man of few words, before my 1st op he did say something about ample breast lol.I’ll keep my fingers crossed for good results for you.Come back and let me know how you get on.Take care meggy x
Hi Meggy,
Got clear margins, so will be on the chemo trip soon!
I know what you mean when you say your BS man of few words, mine was exactly the same, felt like I had to drag answers to queries out of him.
I really hope you too will have clear margins after your next op, I really do feel they must be quite confident that this can be done. It was explained to me today that they knew exactly which area needed more taking off and by exactly how much etc (even drew me a diagram!) Im pretty sure they’ll know the same details with you and will know exactly how much more they need to take. I know you’ll have another anxious wait for a week or so but please try and keep positive (easier said than done I know!) and do come back and let us know how you get on.
hugs
Maxie xx
Hi Maxie.so happy to hear your news.Hopefully I’ll get to join you on the chemo train soon. It’s really hard I feel like I’ve got stuck and keep getting the same thing done over and over again,but hopefully after Monday I’ll be on the move.thanks and take care meggy x
I just wanted to drop by and say good luck for Monday Meggy. I’ll be thinking of you. xxx
Hi everyone,just posting to let you know that after 3 ops i have finally got clear margins I am so happy,felt sick with nerves this morning didn’t want to go to the appointment.I’m glad that I stuck with my gut instinct to go for a 3rd try,even though I missed out on my holiday to Turkey I should be there just now.I think that my family and friends thought I had gone crazy lol.I have an appointment on Tuesday to see my onc.
Thanks to all who replied to my post wishing you all well and all the best with your treatments.
Take care Meggy xx