Thank you and an update

georgeann
georgeann Member Posts: 43
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I'm so glad I found all of you. while I've yet to figure out how to add to one of the threads (computer expert I am not) I wanted to thank all of you who reassured me that I wasn't "odd." Also, sadly I must go have another surgical procedure because one of the margins was non-existent. At least this time I will know more what to expect. For those of you who have had a lumpectomy, how many had to have it "redone?" Is this common? I was shocked to learn this yesterday.

Comments

  • jeancmici
    jeancmici Member Posts: 665 Member
    #2
    It is common for the surgeon to have difficulty getting clear margins in lobular breast cancer - the other - ductal carcinoma - sometimes could be the result of not top-notch surgery! Just a thought!

    But yes, a repeat operation happens often.

    Best of Luck,
    Jean
  • llange
    llange Member Posts: 54
    #3
    I had to have a re-lumpectomy last December. I wanted to get it over with so I had it done 8 days after my initial surgery. The procedure lasted about 20 minutes, done under general anesthesia because my surgeon thought a local would be difficult with the scar tissue from the initial surgery. The two days waiting for the pathology results were torture, but everything turned out clear and no more cancerous tissue was found - a big relief. I don't think it's uncommon to have to have this done.
    Good luck, and let us know how it goes.
    Lisa
  • comom
    comom Member Posts: 46
    #4
    I had to have a second lumptectomy for the same reason. unfortunately, the second lumpectomy did not produce clean margins either. There wasn't much left for a third lumpectomy so I had to have a mastectomy. Please discuss with your doctor what will happen if your margins are not clean on the second go around. I wish I had been more informed and more mentally prepared for the worse when I was going through the early days of breast cancer treatment. I will be praying for you! let us know how it turns out.
    Trina
  • cruf
    cruf Member Posts: 908
    #5
    Hi Georgeanne! I had a lumpectomy and the margin wasn't clear so I opted to have a mastectomy to get rid of any possibility of cells remaining. Would I do it that way again? You bet! I have piece of mind knowing that the tissue is gone! Good luck! I'll be praying for you! HUGS!! Cathy
  • jmears
    jmears Member Posts: 266
    #6
    I had heard from a friend that she had to have a second surgery to get clean margins so I spoke to my surgeon about it. I believe he said 1 in 7 need to have a second surgery. I told him I didn't want that to happen and since I'm large busted I told him to feel free to take a little extra. He actually did just that. The original tumor did not have a clear margin ... but he took an additional amount of tissue. When I got the pathology report it said the tumor did not have a clean margin ... the additional tissue was clear. I guess if he hadn't taken that extra bit I would have had to go in again. I lucked out ... Good Luck Jamie
  • georgeann
    georgeann Member Posts: 43
    #7
    comom said:

    I had to have a second lumptectomy for the same reason. unfortunately, the second lumpectomy did not produce clean margins either. There wasn't much left for a third lumpectomy so I had to have a mastectomy. Please discuss with your doctor what will happen if your margins are not clean on the second go around. I wish I had been more informed and more mentally prepared for the worse when I was going through the early days of breast cancer treatment. I will be praying for you! let us know how it turns out.
    Trina

    Trina,

    Thank you for the information. It never even occured to me to wonder what would happen if the second surgery doesn't provide clear margins either. I will definitely ask. Unfortunately there is more of the waiting game because my surgeon is out of town next week.

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