more questions about the issue of mastectomy vs. lumpectomy

ohilly
ohilly Member Posts: 441
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi, I'm ohilly. I have invasive intraductal carcinoma with a tumor of 1.8 cm. They also found calcifications contained in the duct behind this tumor which they do not know if they are cancerous or not. My mind was all made for a mastectomy, but now I have more questions which I am hoping someone can answer for me. I was told that the survivability rates are the same, but that the risk of local recurrence is slightly higher with a lumpectomy. My surgeon explained that there is a difference between local and distant (cancer spreading to other parts of the body) recurrence. My original reason for thinking about a mastectomy was that I didn't think I could live with obsessing about recurrence, but now I found that it is always possible to have a distant recurrence with either a mastectomy or a lumpectomy. I think I have this mixed up, but I was also thinking about quality of life: meaning that if I first have a lumpectomy and then there is a recurrence, I will have to go thru chemotherapy and radiation TWICE. Is this true? The surgeon said the chemotherapy and radiation have nothing to do with a local recurrence, that this is to prevent the spread of the cancer to other organs which would be the same with either procedure (does that mean the risk of having to go thru chemotherapy or radiation therapy twice (if the cancer were to recur) would be the same with either a mastectomy or a lumpectomy?). Can someone answer this question for me? Also, is it harder to check for a local recurrence with a mastectomy? I have set up appts. to meet with two different plastic surgeons next week and will make a decision about the lumpectomy vs. mastectomy issue at that time. Please advise soon with whatever information you have. I feel the clock is ticking for me to make this decision. Ohilly

Comments

  • survivor51
    survivor51 Member Posts: 276
    #2
    Ohilly,
    I sent you an email you can locate on your CSN start page. I hope this helps. The more informed you are, the better to make a decision.
  • seof
    seof Member Posts: 819 Member
    #3
    Fear and indecision are part of being a survivor, I think. Talk to the Drs. about all your questions. Look on reputable websites, and get as much info as you can, then "just do it" (Nike commercial). For me, I chose to have a double mastectomy for peace of mind. Drs. said my chances of recurrence after unilateral mastectomy would be the same as your average female. I wanted it done anyway because many (not all, by any means women (including my Sister) who have cancer recurring in other body parts have it spread from the second breast. I know it can come back someplace, but that is one less place for it to start. I think we just have to decide to live life despite the possibility of recurrence. After all, statistically we have a good chance of having a car wreck every time we drive, but we drive anyway.

    You will make the best decision for you. seof

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