Why?????

VickiSam

Marcia527 said:

When I had my treatment in
When I had my treatment in 2003 I had to have chemo first to shrink the tumor. Everything I read at the time was surgery first so I was a little concerned. But my treatment was tailored to me not who I was reading about. My tumor was large 6cm and 3cm and it had to shrink or the surgeon would have to do skin grafts to close.

My case -- Lumpectomy on 8/10/09 - general surgeon
informed me on 8/14/09 that I had breast cancer, DCIS - lump taken out of my left was the size of an 'orange', yes -orange which left me with a crader size hole (not a pretty site). However, in order for clean margins - that's what had to be taken out of my breast I was .. cup size b/almost c.

Researched and located breast cancer specialist in Orange, California - who recommended that we wait and allow my body to head before - my bilateral Mac'mty, which is what I wanted - Doctor Harness also mentioned that having chemo first, would also allow me to reconsider my choice of bilateral surgery. Now it appears that the new thing is 'breast conservation'. Having DCIS - and Her2, my decision was ... bilateral. So sorry to get off the beaten path .. so to answer your question ---- according to my breast cancer specialist - routine practice is -- surgery first, then chemo if you choice is bilateral, or chemo and/or radiation to shrink tumor before surgery -- if lumpectomy.

Treatment plans, surgeries and reconstruction varies on Doctors, Surgerical Centers and eaech of us Women ..

Good Luck ..

•☆.•*´¨`*••♥ Vicki Sam ♥••*´¨`*•.☆•

beetle25

VickiSam said:

My case -- Lumpectomy on 8/10/09 - general surgeon
informed me on 8/14/09 that I had breast cancer, DCIS - lump taken out of my left was the size of an 'orange', yes -orange which left me with a crader size hole (not a pretty site). However, in order for clean margins - that's what had to be taken out of my breast I was .. cup size b/almost c.

Researched and located breast cancer specialist in Orange, California - who recommended that we wait and allow my body to head before - my bilateral Mac'mty, which is what I wanted - Doctor Harness also mentioned that having chemo first, would also allow me to reconsider my choice of bilateral surgery. Now it appears that the new thing is 'breast conservation'. Having DCIS - and Her2, my decision was ... bilateral. So sorry to get off the beaten path .. so to answer your question ---- according to my breast cancer specialist - routine practice is -- surgery first, then chemo if you choice is bilateral, or chemo and/or radiation to shrink tumor before surgery -- if lumpectomy.

Treatment plans, surgeries and reconstruction varies on Doctors, Surgerical Centers and eaech of us Women ..

Good Luck ..

•☆.•*´¨`*••♥ Vicki Sam ♥••*´¨`*•.☆•

I had chemo first due to
I had chemo first due to many different factors: age, tumor size and the fact that my breasts are small and dense, the aggressiveness of the tumor and the fact that I am Triple Negative. The surgeon and my oncologist both agreed that this would be the best course of treatment. The surgeon was worried that he would not be able to get all of the tissue if I were to have surgery first and the oncologist wanted to make sure that the chemo would work on my tumor. I was very fortunate that there was a complete resolution of the tumor. Because of that I was able to have a lumpectomy with clean borders and no lymph node involvement.

Remember that treatments are based on the individual and what is best for their situation.

pinkflutterby

carkris said:

I got surgery then chemo, my
I got surgery then chemo, my tumor was on the larger side, but I was not interested in breast saving surgery.

no Surgery 5 me
Ive not had surgery yet and coming up to my 2nd cancerversery, my onc said it would not prolong my life and not worth the pain and disfigurment so here I am