BC Surgery Choices and Reconstruction?

clight
clight Member Posts: 5
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I have infiltrating lobular breast CA in my left breast and ductal insitu in the right breast. I have had 4 chemo treatments with Adriamycin and Cytoxin and 2 with Taxol, 2 more to go, 2 weeks apart, all with Neulasta. When chemo is done, will have more tests and discuss surgery- lumpectomies vs. mastectomy. If given a choice how will I ever know what is the right surg. to do? How did you decide? For reconstruction, probably a free TRAM flap or Latissimus flap with implants? What did you have? How did it turn out? Has anyone had a nipple sparing mastectomy (in some cases your nipples can be saved now and use your own skin too for mastectomy)? Too many decisions, getting freaked out as I will have to decide in a few weeks! Thanks, C

Comments

  • tlmac
    tlmac Member Posts: 272 Member
    #2
    I was diagnosed with masses in both breasts in 2003 and chose bilateral mastectomy. Both breasts were good candidates for lumpectomy and that was the recommendation of my surgeon. I hated the thought of 36 radiation treatments following chemo and I was more worried about recurrance statistics than just survival statistics. I chose no reconstruction because I wanted no additional surgery. Have several friends who chose tram flap. Most are extremely pleased with the results but all admitted the surgery and healing was very painful. As far as the new nipple sparing mastectomy, there are a few numbers you should consider. Nipple involvement, meaning any cancer cells in the nipple, increase your chances of having a recurrance. It's all tied to the size of your cancer and it's proximity to the nipple. Nipples are affected in up to 58% of mastectomy specimens. Positive lymph nodes increase the risk to the nipple. Stage 1 (1 inch or less) cancers located at least 1.5 to 2 inches from the nipple are considered the best candidates. Good luck with your decision.
    terri
  • karinlee
    karinlee Member Posts: 15
    #3
    hi there,

    i had DCIS in one breast and opted to have bilateral mastectomies. i wanted the most aggressive trmt. so that i would have the BEST chances of never having to think about breast cancer again. plus, i wanted to know i did everything in my power to make sure i lived a long healthy life. for me, it was the best decision. i am currently going through breast reconstruction with tissue expanders (i was not a candidate for transflap or the other one). search your own heart and the best decision will come to you. good luck!
  • 24242
    24242 Member Posts: 1,398 Member
    #4
    I too decided upon the double mastectomy but got talked out of it by my mother the health nurse. The surgeon said he would do it but didn't recommend it since the cancer had spread into lymphnodes. I decided to listen and had a mastectomy on the side of the cancer. A very small percentage of people are sensative beings and I happened to turn out to be one of them. They can now test genetically I have heard but turned out I had raging staff went into blood after second chemo, good thing had only done the right side at the time. I had trouble throughout every treatment phase but some of us will. It has taken years to get over all that was done so never was thrilled to think about reconstruction at all. I am very grateful for aggressive treatments and mastectomies are away to give some piece of mind. You will never get every cell so it is possible to have reoccurance even with the mastectomies but I knew I wanted the best chance and for me removal was it. You must do what you can be happy with and know that there is no right and wrong decision, only choices to be made.

    Be good to yourself always,
    Tara
  • sstory
    sstory Member Posts: 4
    #5
    karinlee said:

    hi there,

    i had DCIS in one breast and opted to have bilateral mastectomies. i wanted the most aggressive trmt. so that i would have the BEST chances of never having to think about breast cancer again. plus, i wanted to know i did everything in my power to make sure i lived a long healthy life. for me, it was the best decision. i am currently going through breast reconstruction with tissue expanders (i was not a candidate for transflap or the other one). search your own heart and the best decision will come to you. good luck!

    karinlee,
    i recently was diagnosed with DCIS and had mastectomy on my left breast.chemo and radiation treatments were not required. i will have to take arimidex for the next five years.
    i have decided to have the tissue expansion surgery and implants also. what stage of the treatment are you presently going through? my surgeon mentioned that this is very painful but i, like you do not have the choices of tramflap or latissimus flap surgery.
    let me know how it is going for you. i am wary of the upcoming surgery.
  • hounddog
    hounddog Member Posts: 115
    #6
    Hello my advice to you is you do not want reconstruction because the implants that they use can cause problems if you need I can give you a name and phone number of a friend of mine that went to Washington over the implants that they put in women that have had mastectomies. If people don't like you for the way you look it is their problem not yours.God made you and you are very Special because you are you and you are beautiful just the way you lool if they have problems with that it is their problem not yours it is also what is in the heart that counts.
    Always remember you are special because you are you .
    marilyn

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