nipple saving mastectomy

acadia
acadia Member Posts: 2
in Breast Cancer #1
About to have surgery. Had bilat. subcutaneous mast. in 1979. Had had silicone implants since 1987. Both ruptured, unsure when...Surgeon suggest removing nipples. Hard to face that but I can. I had a prophylactic mast. after many biopsies(benign). Had seriously ill child and felt I needed to do what I could to b around.

Comments

  • jendrey
    jendrey Member Posts: 377
    #2
    ...
    I'm not sure I understand...but before my mastectomy I did ask about a nipple saving mastectomy but the surgeon told me no. And when I asked why ever not, I was told because the nipple can harbor breast cancer cells or something like that.

    Not sure I totally believed it then and more sure that I don't believe it now. Could be I wasn't listening to what I didn't want to hear if that makes any sense.
  • acadia
    acadia Member Posts: 2
    #3
    jendrey said:

    ...
    I'm not sure I understand...but before my mastectomy I did ask about a nipple saving mastectomy but the surgeon told me no. And when I asked why ever not, I was told because the nipple can harbor breast cancer cells or something like that.

    Not sure I totally believed it then and more sure that I don't believe it now. Could be I wasn't listening to what I didn't want to hear if that makes any sense.

    surgery
    That's similar to what I've been told, that the nipple leaves tissue that can have cancer. Also that the skin may retract more if nipple is left & may require further surgery to correct. Thank you for writing. I've never been on this site before and having surgery 4/15. MRI in Feb. showed both implants are ruptured and need to be removed. I've elected to not have further implants. I'm in my 60's.
  • sunshine0406
    sunshine0406 Member Posts: 65
    #4
    acadia said:

    surgery
    That's similar to what I've been told, that the nipple leaves tissue that can have cancer. Also that the skin may retract more if nipple is left & may require further surgery to correct. Thank you for writing. I've never been on this site before and having surgery 4/15. MRI in Feb. showed both implants are ruptured and need to be removed. I've elected to not have further implants. I'm in my 60's.

    My surgeon was willing to do a nipple sparing surgery
    I had a left side mastectomy and my surgeon tried to save the nipple but in the end it could not be saved but he was willing to save it if he could. So there are Dr's out there willing to save it if at all possible.
  • csr771
    csr771 Member Posts: 117
    #5
    Nippleless
    I was told that the nipple could hold cells that are cancerous. I had a skin sparring mastectomy and reconstuction of the left breast. I have a flap and no nipple or areola. I have been told that I can have a nipple rebuilt. I will cross the bridge next year. Personally I believe that the nipple can hold cancer. If that were not true, then only the breast affected. We have all seen articles whereby some of the "signs" of BC are lumps, swelling, darkening, discharge from the nipple, nipple inverting, etc. I wouldn't want the nipple.
  • csr771
    csr771 Member Posts: 117
    #6
    Nippleless
    I was told that the nipple could hold cells that are cancerous. I had a skin sparring mastectomy and reconstuction of the left breast. I have a flap and no nipple or areola. I have been told that I can have a nipple rebuilt. I will cross the bridge next year. Personally I believe that the nipple can hold cancer. If that were not true, then only the breast affected. We have all seen articles whereby some of the "signs" of BC are lumps, swelling, darkening, discharge from the nipple, nipple inverting, etc. I wouldn't want the nipple.
  • csr771
    csr771 Member Posts: 117
    #7
    Nippleless
    I was told that the nipple could hold cells that are cancerous. I had a skin sparring mastectomy and reconstuction of the left breast. I have a flap and no nipple or areola. I have been told that I can have a nipple rebuilt. I will cross the bridge next year. Personally I believe that the nipple can hold cancer. If that were not true, then only the breast affected. We have all seen articles whereby some of the "signs" of BC are lumps, swelling, darkening, discharge from the nipple, nipple inverting, etc. I wouldn't want the nipple.
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #8
    csr771 said:

    Nippleless
    I was told that the nipple could hold cells that are cancerous. I had a skin sparring mastectomy and reconstuction of the left breast. I have a flap and no nipple or areola. I have been told that I can have a nipple rebuilt. I will cross the bridge next year. Personally I believe that the nipple can hold cancer. If that were not true, then only the breast affected. We have all seen articles whereby some of the "signs" of BC are lumps, swelling, darkening, discharge from the nipple, nipple inverting, etc. I wouldn't want the nipple.

    I was asked if I wanted to SAVE my nipples and have them
    transferred onto my new breast .. I said 'NO' based on the fact the nipples carry cells -- and cells can be contaminated by cancer. I personally find this 'odd', as there is not a great of research -- regarding this process, but yet it is being offered to many breast cancer patients.

    Kudos to all you WARRIORS, in being pro-active with your health.

    Vicki Sam
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #9
    sunshine0406 said:

    My surgeon was willing to do a nipple sparing surgery
    I had a left side mastectomy and my surgeon tried to save the nipple but in the end it could not be saved but he was willing to save it if he could. So there are Dr's out there willing to save it if at all possible.

    I want to wish you good luck
    I want to wish you good luck and to let you know that you are not alone. We are here for you.


    Hugs, Lex

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