1st time diagnosed....need info

rdy2shop

Hi all,
My friend was just dx with breast cancer. She is 44 years old. The dr seems to think that it is Stage 1. She is scheduled for a lumpectomy next week. He told her that if she has a lumpectomy then she needs to complete 6 weeks of radiation. And of course depending if the lymph nodes come back positive she will need more. The other option is for her to have a mascectomy, he told her if she has this that she will not need to have any radiation. So, she is trying to decide which way to go. Can someone out there give me some insight on this, and what can be expected. I'll pass the info to her. Thanks for your help
Elaine

KathiM

I had stage II cancer. Lumpectomy because margins seem to be clear (and were). Sentinel node involvement required chemo. Almost finished, then radiation. Is there time for a 2nd opinion? I did, because I wanted to save my breast if possible. This is such a personal choice....questions to be answered such as will she feel like she will worry about reoccurance if the breast is saved, can she take a longer time to recover (Mastectomy). Such a hard choice. I chose conservatively. My choice if there is a next time may be different.
Sorry, I sould like I'm bringing up more confusion than clarity. Just thought I'd share my thoughts. Either way, its not the end, just the beginning of a new life...she will learn much from this experience.
Best to her.

LesleyH

I totally agree with KathiM. This is a personal choice. The survival rate is the same. I chose lumpectomy and radiation and do not regret my choice. Although radiation was difficult, it was worth it to me.

babs49242

If there is time I would get a 2nd opinion.I was dx at age 47 w/ stage 3 and spreading into my nodes.I opted to have a mastectomy.I also went thru 8 series of chemo and 25 radiation treatments. I prayed for an answer to which I should have done. I felt That the mastectomy was the right decision for me. And it is a personal decision. I also found Dr.Joyce's breast book informative. I am glad the route I took. survivor of 2 yrs

Susan956

I was diagnosed last May. I chose a lumpetomy and radiation. After my surgery it was determined that I was Stage 2b with some lymph node involvement. So I had to do Chemo as well. I am happy with my choice of a lumpectomy. But the choice is for each person to make. For me I really didn't want to loose my breast. I found the radiation treatments to be no big deal. It took time but other than that it was not painful.

Let me know if I can help more.

24242

I have heard of this before that radiation isn't needed if having mastectomy. That is not my understanding at all. The reason radiation is given is because there is always the risk of seeding occurring in the area that the cancer is removed from. Cancer can seed itself in the opening of the surgery. Yes the size of tumour maybe part of what makes up their criteria but back 9 years they explained it completely since my cancer did not meet any of the criteria that they had set out as guidelines for treatment. I took all and any treatments that I could even if it gave me only another 2-5% on my survival rate. My thought was then that if I was going to do this thing at all I would do all I could and what ever there was. I fought to have radiation because they said I didn't really need yet they didn't really know as far as I was concerned. If it could help me at all I wanted it.
Also mine had spread in 6 months to lympn nodes and very agressive. Couldn't believe I didn't fit the criteria.
My cancer was stage 3 IDC with 11 out of 21 positive nodes with second lump growing in armpit in just one week. I was 36 at diagnosis and that was 9 years ago.
You are a great friend,
Tara

SweetSue

Save the breast, if possible. As everyone else has said, the survival rate is the same amongst women who opt for lumpectomy or mastectomy.

LesleyH

24242 said:

I have heard of this before that radiation isn't needed if having mastectomy. That is not my understanding at all. The reason radiation is given is because there is always the risk of seeding occurring in the area that the cancer is removed from. Cancer can seed itself in the opening of the surgery. Yes the size of tumour maybe part of what makes up their criteria but back 9 years they explained it completely since my cancer did not meet any of the criteria that they had set out as guidelines for treatment. I took all and any treatments that I could even if it gave me only another 2-5% on my survival rate. My thought was then that if I was going to do this thing at all I would do all I could and what ever there was. I fought to have radiation because they said I didn't really need yet they didn't really know as far as I was concerned. If it could help me at all I wanted it.
Also mine had spread in 6 months to lympn nodes and very agressive. Couldn't believe I didn't fit the criteria.
My cancer was stage 3 IDC with 11 out of 21 positive nodes with second lump growing in armpit in just one week. I was 36 at diagnosis and that was 9 years ago.
You are a great friend,
Tara

Tara - you were ahead of your time! I don't think you would have to fight for the radiation now. Great to have you around! You are an inspiration.

ClaudiaAnn

I totally agree that only you can make the decision that is right for you. It is very hard to decide. I chose the mastectomy. I was IIB with no lymph node involvement. My tumor was 4.5cm. My guidelines were for radiation over 5.0cm. However, the radiation oncologist said that my clear margin in one area was 0.3cm and for that reason he recommeded radiation. My surgeon, oncologist and radiation oncologist all said that without radiation you can have implants and with radiation it is not advised. Because my cancer was agressive I chose agressive treatment. In Sept. I will be two years cancer free. I am now scheduling a mastectomy on the other side for personal comfort reasons. I don't like being lopsided. I have also opted not to have reconstruction. This all works for me, but it is not for everyone. There are many different kinds of reconstruction. Look into every option you can before you decide (providing you're not time pressed). Best wishes to you and be comfortable that whatever you do it is what is best for you. No one knows you better than yourself.

Hugs and Hugs and Hugs. claudia

Nudge

Hello everyone. I am having a lumpectomy on Thursday at age 36. I chose a lumpectomy, maybe to be optimistic, but also feel you should always try the lest evasive route if you can. Always depending on situation. I found the lump myself, and after many tests that showed nothing had an MRI from a breast center that showed it. Then proceeded to have a biopsy that showed it was cancer. My arm pit is always sore with tingling in fingers, so scared that it has spread. What guidance can everyone give me what to expect day of surgery and for recovery. Also I have Von Willebrands (bleeding disease) so surgery will require medicine to stop bleeding.