I’m having a dilemma. I found out today that i have 2 invasive lobular carcinomas one 8mm, one 6mm. There is also a 3rd lesion that was picked up on the MRI but couldnt be spotted in the ultrasound. I have been told that i can be referred for an MRI biopsy on that area to establish if that is also cancerous. My dilemma is whether to do that and go for a double lumpectomy (if the 3rd one is benign) or go for a mastectomy anyway . Neither carcinomas were picked up on the mammogram so the yearly screening wouldnt give me much reassurance and as i also have quite a few benign cysyts in this breast I dont think id necessarily notice a new lump. That makes me think that maybe a lympectomy wouldnt be the best as I would be constantly be worried that there might be more cancer that wasnt being spotted. However, the thought of having a mastectomy is freaking me out somewhat. Has anyone else faced a similar dilemma?
Sorry that you are having to make this decision. There is no right, wrong or, as I kept saying, sensible option, just what is right for you.
I was slightly different as I had 2 failed lumpectomies and had to decide whether to go for a third or a mastectomy. I did lots of research from reliable sources, phoned the helpline on here, spoke to the team at Maggie’s then did a pros and cons list before discussing it with my bcn and surgeon. I decided on the mastectomy and as it turned out I would have needed one anyway as the cancer was so extensive and clear margins wouldn’t have been achieved with the third excision.
A big consideration for was what would I be most happy living with - another failed lumpectomy resulting in a mastectomy or having the mastectomy and finding that the margins could have been reached. Also, like you, would I always worry that there was more cancer lurking. My surgeon said that a further excision would result in a deformed breast, I had already had quite a lot of tissue removed, and for me it was better to go for a full prosthetic rather than a partial one.
I was originally diagnosed with a 9mm tumour but in the end they removed 70mm over the 3 ops. As with you it didn’t show up on imaging so they couldn’t give me any guidance.
I’m 12 weeks post op and although I am struggling with being lopsided and the prostheses, reconstruction wasn’t an option for me, I know I made the right decision for me at this time.
Sending a virtual hug as you face this difficult decision. Let us know how you get on. x
Gosh, it sounds like you’ve been having a hard time of it. I am aware that until they do the surgery, they wont know what is actually there and i’ve heard a few similar journeys to yours. I also have small boobs so am worried that if they do find more cancer there really wont be much left. So hard to know what to do!
Totally agree on the above in that a biopsy and scan (and even a lumpectomy) doesn’t always tell you all the answers.
I have small boobs too and had a mastectomy and I took the approach that it would be mangled by a lumpectomy anyway so there really wasn’t much difference. Either way it wasn’t going to look how I wanted.
Now I’ve had to delay reconstruction because I’m having radiotherapy and radiotherapy has a good chance of causing issues with the reconstruction. As a result, I’ve had a LOT of time to think about reconstruction and my options and everything I thought I wanted at the start is not what I want now at all.
Personally I would speak to an oncology plastic surgeon (not just the breast surgeon) and ask about the ultimate outcome in terms of plastics. Insist on sitting down with them both and pin them down on prognosis with both options and ask the breast surgeon what THEY would prefer to do. They have to offer you both options but it doesn’t mean they don’t have a preference. Mine literally breathed a sigh of relief when I told her to not even suggest a lumpectomy to me. Once they’ve all answered honestly, you can firstly make your decision based on cancer and, secondly, based on the aesthetic you would be happiest with in the long run.
It’s so much to consider at once so I imagine your head is exploding! X
Hi, i was diagnosed with stage 2/3 idc grade3 and it spread to 5 lymph nodes, thankfully had a contrast ct scan. I had a choice of lumpectomy or mastectomy as didnt want to risk another surgery so opting for mastectomy also having lymph clearance which surgery is on 22nd july. I will be having chemo after surgery and since found out im her2 positive so herceptin as well. All the best with your treatment sending positive vibes and hugs x
It certainly is! I think i need another appointment with the surgeon as i have a lot of questions.
Thank you for sharing your journey and wishing you all the luck in the world. X
Thank you and hope your journey ges well x
I think in your shoes I’d go through the stages and see what you are dealing with. Once you have all the info, either a mastectomy will be the only option, so there’s no decision to make, or you’ll still have a choice. A choice is a very personal balance between life with fear of recurance against how much the idea of a mastectomy is hated. The more a person hates mastectomy as an option, the more important it is to look at your individual risks of recurance- sometimes a mastectomy may not carry any future lower risk. Its tricky, even size of your breast is a factor which is very personal to you. There are so many angles to consider. You can do your head in dwelling on it, so might as well wait untill you know everything
Personally, if I’d known what I know now 8 months ago, I’d have had a masectomy. One tumour turned to two, then 3 and now they’re investigating a fourth area. Ive had 3 surgeries and if this 4th area is cancer, I will need a masectomy. I think you should wait for mri result before deciding. If there are only 2 tumors, lumpectomies may be a quicker recovery. Whatever you think, discuss it with your team and family. It’s a tough decision. Hope mri results are good. X
I was diagnosed with an IDC and was going to get lumpectomy and radiotherapy. The next day the team called to say they had looked again at both mammograms and wanted to investigate areas of calcifications in both breasts. It was DCIS so with the IDC and DCIS in one breast the team recommended mastectomy for me. The other side the option was lumpectomy and radiotherapy or mastectomy. I went for bilateral mastectomy last week.
Everyone is personal but my thoughts were that three areas in two breasts meant I would always be worried - don’t get me wrong, I’m still going to be worried but probably less so than if I had breast tissue. I was also 34gg so really worried about being lopsided.
Anyway, there was a nine week wait for reconstruction so I’ve had the op (plus sentinel node biopsies) and may have reconstruction later but at the moment I’m actually ok with it.
Just waiting the pathology now.
Just to add, I was also freaking out at the thought of a mastectomy and the images online genuinely terrified me. I needed to get diazepam from GP to function. And I am now really calm with my decision (cross that I should be flying on hols tomorrow for a month in the sun, but that can wait), and my daughter, 22, actually thought the scars are cool (weird kid).
Sending lots of love and fingers crossed for whatever you choose xx
Thank you, this echoes how I felt. I have delayed the surgery date and had the mri-guided biopsy. I just couldnt make a decision without all the information, it was too hypothetical somehow. I get the results on Wednesday so will know more then. I also appreciate your point about individual recurrance risk too. I will ask about that on Wednesday as that is my main concern.
That is so reassuring to hear, thank you! I actually feel more at peace with the idea of mastectomy now. It was just such a shock at first.