Treatment before mastectomy
Treatment before mastectomy I have got so much info from reading the posts about treatment, mastectomy and reconstructive suregery - I am armed with my questions to ask the consultant tomorrow when we decide which op to go for - but I am curious as to why some women have chemo and radio therapy before mastectomy.
Can anyone explain why?
Hi Anita
I’ve not heard of Rads prior to surgery before , so can’t help there.
I had neo-adjuvant chemo (ie. pre-surgery), and that was to shrink my tumour. The reasoning around that was that because the ca extended into the nipple area if they did WLE immedaitely tI would definitely have only half a boob left and no nipple. So by shrinking should have had the smaller op, but for me it didn’t do that so Ihad Mastectomy in any case. So it’s to shrink the lump to make the surgery less invasive is possible.
If the lump is growing quickly I understand they also give chemo first. I am sure there are other reasons, in fact I remember reading somwhere that younger women tend to get chemo first if possible (not sure where I read that though??)
Hope that helps a little?
Luv Lynn x
I had chemo before surgery Hi Anita C
Hi, Sorry you have had to join this forum. I have found it a huge help since I discovered it.
As to your question, I had chemo before surgery as my tumour was 4cm long and behind the nipple but also because my lymph glands were involved so he wanted to start chemo as soon as possible to shrink everything and because of the risk of the cancer cells getting into my system. And I have to say, he did a really good job, saved my boob (lost my nipple) and had a scan last week and I am all clear!!!
Hope this helps
Mandyxx
I agree… -I think it is mainly given pre surgery to shrink the tumour -which I would have preferred. However, since they thought my tumour was only 2.2 cm-i headed straight for surgery -as it happens the tumour was much larger when they "dug it out. Also if you have chemo pre surgery -the oncs can better judge whether that particular regime if effective, and change it if necessary , and lastly (in my view) -it gets the worst bit out of the way first!
Cherry
Also to give a better reconstruction I had my mastectomy and immediate reconstruction post-chemo. The surgeon said that medically (impact on survival rate etc) in my case it made no difference which way around to do it, but that the result of the reconstruction would potentially be even better if it was done post chemo. It’s harder for your body to heal while having chemo.
thanks … for all your replies, it has helped me understand. I can’t believe how helpful this site is - just hearing from others who are going thru the same as you.
My tumour is 3.5cm, so not small by any means - I can’t believe I did not notice it before - but I have been having a lot of breast tenderness which I think is either cyclical or menopausal - I had a hysterectomy just over 2 years ago and I have one ovary left. I am 49 so could be having menopausal symptoms, but they do not think my cancer is hormonal.
I have to have a mastectomy, but will now ask about chemo before the operation. Not that I doubt their diagnosis, I just want to make sure everything is covered and that I understand all the options. I suppose it helps me to think that I have at least some control over what is happening, however little that is. I am considering immediate reconstruction and am worried about recovery time and having enough energy to deal with chemo at the same time.
Thanks again x
Hi Anita
Just for info my lump was 3.5 x 3cm so not too large, but a similar one to yours. Chemo was brilliant in that it shrunk my lump to nothing!!! So much that they were unable to identify what to remove hence the Mastectomy, I would so much have wished for the WLE as I was expecting - but never mind I’m here and full of life.
I was advised not to have immediate recon as the rads may cause the recon to fail. I don’t think I will even get one after the year as being a nurse I am rather dubious about adding to my body, especially in an area where I have already had a problem with ca! But, that’s just me… 
Good luck with your treatment and op.
luv Lynn x
Thanks Lynn
The recon (I’m getting with the lingo) I am considering is tram or diep as I am quite large breasted and they say that the LD would not be able to give a good match to the other side - and as you say the implant can be damaged with rads. I would not mind having the other side reduced.
I am hoping that all will become clear tomorrow and I can make an informed decision. x
Treatment before mastectomy Hy Anita
I am like you I have just been diagnosed and have to go thru chemo for five months before mastectomy I always thought you had the operation first before the chemo but I was told this was to reduce the size of the tumour before the op.
Help Hi All
I have just been diagnosed with breastcancer and have been advised I will have 5 months of chemo before a mastectomy . I am going tomorrow for a CT scan and a bone scan so as you can imagine I am terrified hence this posting at 1:40 I go on Tuesday to see the Oncologist and the should have the results of the scan I just got remarried two years ago( we have been together for 12 yrs ) and my husband is fifteen years younger than me so you can also imagine how i feel about the thought of having my breast removed. I have been reading about reconstruction but I am a size 36E I had them reduced about 25years ago because of back ache and headaches but they just grew back if you get a recon can they reduce the size of the other breast if you want to be smaller .I do not understand alll the abbrev you use on the site for example what is a diep. I am so sorry I am rambling on but I am sitting here crying looking at a photoof my beautiful grand daughterand I so want to see her grow up . Please pray for me for tomorrow and keep in touch
Hope I have not depressed you I think I am just feeling sorry for myself , my husband and dog are lying snoring
Kerry Hiya Kerry,
Had to reply , you sounded so sad.
Hang in there - it’s much easier once you get surgery/treatment started. It’s the waiting around that’s the worst part. This forum is a great place to come for help and reassurance.
Good luck for your op, will be thinking of you, promise!
By the way, I don’t get all the lingo either, but you either pick it up - or ask! I figure if I haven’t heard of it, I probably haven’t got it.!!!
Big hugs to you,
Jacki xx
For Kerry01 Hiya Kerry,
Like you i am also quite large busted (38E)
I had a breast reduction 10 years ago and they have grown back (my breasts have been the bain of my life!)
I asked my surgeon about reconstruction (as ive to have a mastectomy after 6 x EC chemo sessions) options as I cannot see how they will reconstruct my breast to look like the other when the remaining one is quite large and (sorry to say!) pendulous.
I asked if it was possible to reduce the remaining breast and was told it could be but as I have had a reduction in the past it will make it more difficult to do.
I have been told that if I like (and im seriously thinking of it…) I can have a double mastectomey and they will do a double reconstruction and will reconstruct both breasts smaller.
I hope this helps?
Julie. x
Don’t be downhearted Kerry
I like you have had chemo before the op as my tumour was aggressive and large (10cm). I also feel guilty for not finding it sooner, but even when i went to the docs it was not obvious as I too am fairly large busted…
The chemo has now shrunk my tumour to 6cm, which is not enough to avoid a mastectomy, but apparently my “margins” are better and recovery chances improved.
I was also pretty low and frightened - evidenced by the chattering teeth when being told I had cancer. I console myself with the fact that this is the curable kind of cancer and the success rate is amazing.
If you are like me the dog (s) got the brunt of it - one minute consoling hugs and the next shouting at them to leave me alone. Do what you have to to get through this - my family and friends have excused my ups and downs and been incredibly strong for me - Let them share your burden - even the dog! It has made all of us appreciate each other more!
Keep strong, don’ worry - the treatment is just part of getting better!
Hi Kerry I had mastectomy with immediate LD recon with a reduction to the other side 8 weeks ago now. Our treatment plan is different in that I am having chemo post surgery. I was a 38F and am now a D cup, with my recon still being a little bigger than the other side.
I have done quite a few posts under reconstructive surgery about my op, so it might help you to have a look at my past stuff.
Good luck Kelly - having tests and scans and waiting for results is almost the hardest part. This site is great and not a day goes without me logging on.
Take care
Anita
Bunnymum Thank you for your reply I just came back from the hospital at 5:30 having been there since 10:30 I have had a bone scan then a CT scan plus a xray of my pelvis this just seems as if they are trying to tell me that it has spread . I go to the oncologist tomorrow and they said the results will be there so as you can imagine i am very nervous, I feel as if I am on the outside looking in and that it is happening to someone else and then it hits me again. Anyway sorry for moaning and thanks for replying I have never been in a chatroom until this
Julie Thank you for your reply I just came back from the hospital at 5:30 having been there since 10:30 I have had a bone scan then a CT scan plus a xray of my pelvis this just seems as if they are trying to tell me that it has spread . I go to the oncologist tomorrow and they said the results will be there so as you can imagine i am very nervous, I feel as if I am on the outside looking in and that it is happening to someone else and then it hits me again. I have been thinking of a double mastectomy as well but hen I think I am jumping the gun after all I do not know what the are going to tell me tomorrow if it has spread or not. so it might not even be an option.
I am just so fed up with bad tings happening to me and my family my son had to get his bowel removed when he was 22 yrs and we were told it was a genetic illness and that we must have it but we were all tested his dad sister and myself but we did not have the faulty gene we were told that once he got the bowel removed hewould be cured but we just found out in January that he has Stage 2 polyps on his small bowel, and he now has a beautiful daughter who will have to be genetically tested so she has a 50/50 chance of having it . He is a wonderful son never gave me any bother never drank or smoked or got into trouble so you think of all the bad people in the world and wonder why?
Julie Bunnymum phardy Anita Got my results eventually re the bone scans CT scan and pelvis xray they were all clear acept for a little artritis in my hip. I just burst into tears I had covinced myself that I was going to die. I have now been told I will start my chemo in a fortnight 4 times with three week intervals and 4 times with two week intervals . I then get a month off before my op where I will have a mastectomy recon and reduction on the other breast so I have a long haul in front of me like everyone else . My husband and I walked out of the hospital laughing and crying at the same time we never thought we would say we were glad that I just had breast cancer . I have to go into Canniesburn in Glasgow the Plastic Surgeons name is Mikov I think she is german so I hope she is good. Thanks for all the replies I received it really helped when I went to the oncologist today having read all the info on the site I was able to ask questions I would not have thought off before . Once again thanks again and take care all of you speak to you soon
Kerry
Relieved for you! Kerry
What good news - I was in exactly the same situation as you and agree it is a relief to find that you only have breast cancer and it has not spread. It is the beginning of the good news after the bad.
I was at the hospital yesterday after 5 months of chemo and my tumour has shunk from 10cm to 5cm which is great news, but in addition my lymph glands which were noticably infected have shrunk and are no longer swollen.
So the chemo was worth it!! Stick with it, the first chemo is frightening, more because you do not know what tpo expect, but it is bearable and well worth it.
I am now booked in for mastectomy on 14th June, but they will not reconstruct at the same time - i have to wait 6 months, but I will do anything to get over this… like all of us on here.
Stay strong, but don’t be ashamed of the weak moments - you need those too! Also keep things to look forward to - it will keep you going. My dog is expecting puppies (as I missed out on children) and I can’t wait!!
P Hardy Thanks for replying I appreciate what you have said and the knowledge I have gained from everyone my tumour is 6.5cm x 5cm but no one has said anything about the lymph nodes I will need to ask next week .
I had found the lump but I though it was a cyst as i have been bothered with them for about 15yrs , 14 years ago I had one removed from exactly the same place and it was large as well in fact I could see this on the surface protrounding next to my nipple but it was benign but they removed it because of its size several times I have had to get cysts drained so I just thought it was another cyst never even had a nervous bone in my body when I went to the clinic but that just goes to show you should never take cyst for granted
I go back to the oncologist next Tuesday and then to the nurse on the Wednesday , I am also waiting on an appointment to get my heart checked before the chemo, I have to admit I feel they have been very thorough. The oncologist says it is a myth everyone is sick or has mouth ulcers but a colleague had a lumpectomy two years ago and she told me to drink pineapple juice and this helps keep the ucers at bay, but I have to admit I am sick of going to the hospital already even although everyone has been superb, I will just have to accept it nothing else for it. I still feel as if I am in shock and I do not think it will really sink in until I start treament . Has anyone been to the Canniesburn Hospital for the operation I would like to know if it was a success. Good luck with your operation and keep in touch . I would love to know what kind of dog you have and you can let me know about the puppies I have two children and a grand daughter but my little dog (my first is just like another baby and I have turned into one of those women that I used to laugh at the way they treated their dogs I used to think it disgusting that adog slet on the bed but mine has more spacethan us and he is just a wee thing
Take Care & good luck with all your treatments