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Lumpectomy with breast symmetry - now margins show DCIS on all sides. Mastectomy with recon or what

Linda301
Linda301 CSN Member Posts: 1 *
edited October 2022 in Breast Cancer #1

Background: 33 mm tumor, clear lymph nodes. Doc recommended partial mastectomy with breast reconstruction and symmetry surgery on non-cancer breast all performed at one time followed by radiation .

Surgery went great.

Pathology came back with DCIS on four sides of removed tissue. Doc now recommends full mastectomy and a decision whether to do expander implant at the time of surgery. She says no radiation needed. Possibly chemo - waiting for oncogene pathology.

I am angry that I had both breasts operated on initially- I didn’t ask the important question, “what % come back w/o clean margins.”

Doc says DCIS can eventually spread so just radiating is not an option - must have a mastectomy.

I may not be a candidate for immediate expander because of the reconstruction done at time of lumpectomy.

I need some wise words from those who have walked this path before me. What did you do?

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