lumpectomy

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1

hi everyone, i’m booked in for a lumpectomy 24th april(day before my 31st birthday).have been told the lump is a fibroadenoma diagnosed with ultrasound and fna.just wanted to know what to expect.i have booked a week off work as my job is quite physical,but is 1 week enough.i also wanted to know if the lump will be sent to pathology for testing to be 100% sure it’s benign.thanks in advance for your comments. kelly x

2

Hi Kelly

I had a lump removed last year, did they say they were doing a Wide Local Excision? (which I had) if so you are first fitted with a long wire during ultrasound to show the surgeon the area. Then down for the excision (3 hours later in my case). I went back a week later for results and removal of butterfly stitches. I can remember being quite sore still so it might be an idea to wait a bit longer if your job is physical. There was never any real pain just uncomfortable.

Good luck

Yvonne x

3

Hi Kelly

I think you are being a bit optimistic about returning after a week. Although you thankfully are not being treated for cancer, the surgery will be the same. I had a very small cancer removed and my scar is small, but I couldn’t do much for about 3 weeks. It is likely you will be signed off for 3 or 4 weeks to allow the tissues to heal. If you job is physical I would allow yourself time to heal properly, otherwise you will probably need more time off in the long run. I would imagine (and this is only my opinion) that any lump removed will be examined thoroughly by the path team to ensure no cancer found.

Good luck

Cathy
xx

4

thanks for your comments.i’ve never had an operation before so i’m quite nervous.wow i wouldn’t have thought a small operation would need so much time off work.i don’t know the difference between a wle and a lumpectomy.i’m scared that after they remove the lump they find cancer.i’ve read on this site people have been misdiagnosed even after a core biopsy.mine was a fine needle aspiration,not sure how accurate they are.how long will i be expected to wait for results?many thanks kelly xxx

5

wle and lumpectomy I think are the same thing. I agree with Cathy about time off if your job is physical, at lest a couple of weeks. Normal to be scared, it is good they are removing it and hopefully will be the last of it. Cannot tell you how long test take, it seems to vary so much. Good luck Alice

6

Hi Kelly

Why don’t you ring the nurses here on the helpline or at one of the other sites like cancer research or Backup. They are very helpful and would explain about accuracy in tests. What did the surgeon say when he diagnosed you? Did he say he had doubts as to what it was and would need to see when they removed it?

Cathy