I have just been diagnosed with invasive ductal bc and going for surgery 21st august. I have read many of these discussions (which have been so helpful,informative and supportive). I keep reading about lumpectomys but my surgeon told me I was having Quadrantectomy. Does anyone know anything about this? Depending on the results will depend on my treatment. I believe he said (my brain shut off when they mentioned Cancer) if it is not in the lymph nodes I will need radiotherapy but if it is, chemo and rads.
Hi Anne,
I believe that a quadrantectomy is like a wide local excision, which I had, but the surgeon takes away more breast tissue, about a quarter of the breast tissue. Yes, probably if it is not in the nodes, the treatment will be rads. Otherwise, chemo and rads. It’s all a lot to digest so take it a step at a time and keep reading!
Margaret
Thanks for the information. I shall definetly keep reading and these forums are just a life line.
I am sure I will have loads more questions
Hi Anne
Don’t be afraid to ring your nurse and ask her exactly what the diagnosis was and what it means. I was provided with info leaflets, which I found helpful, but I could not remember exactly what the Surgeon had told me and it didn’t mean much at the time anyway. After I had read the leaflets and understood a bit more, I rang the breast cancer nurse and admitted I had not taken it all in. I am sure this is quite normal, as everyone is in shock when they are first diagnosed and if you have never closely known someone with breast cancer, as I hadn’t, you don’t understand what they are telling you.
One of the booklets they gave me at the hospital is from Breast Cancer Care. It is called “Treating Breast Cancer” and it explains what a quadrantectomy is, with a sketch. You might be able to download it from this site.
I am having a lumpectomy and sample lymph nodes removed on 6 August. I have been very brave so far, but am getting a bit scared now it is getting closer! Spent this afternoon at work making a list of all the things which will need covering while I am off. It all started to feel a bit more real after that.
Take care.
Julie N.
Dear Anne
Here is the link to the ‘Treating breast cancer’ booklet suggested by Julie:
breastcancercare.org.uk/docs/bcc_treating06_0.pdf
Further information booklets and factsheets can be found under the ‘Information’ then ‘Publications’ tab on our homepage, in addition please don’t hesitate to ask for more information if you need it, our helpline is open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm and Friday 9am-2pm and is staffed by specialist nurses and trained helpliners who have had experience of breast cancer. The helpline number is 0808 800 6000.
Kind regards
Sam
Moderator
Breast Cancer Care