What to do Lumpectomy or Mastectomy
Comments
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Welcome Kat..........
Welcome Kat, although I'm sorry that you have to be here.
I can only tell you what my experience was. My surgeon told me that I had the option of lumpectomy or mastectomy also. However, my tumor was quite large and I went in there, knowing that I wanted the very best chance possible in ridding myself of the cancer. So I opted for mastectomy.
In the end, while the decision was mine, she told me that she thought that mastectomy was best because of my particular tumor, and that she was glad that I had chosen that route. I believe that if I had chosen lumpectomy instead, she would have gently "led" me to decide otherwise.
I think if you ask your doctor what the pros and cons of each are in your particular case, she will tell you. Tell her that you need more information before you make a decision. That you want to make the best choice possible FOR YOU.
Best wishes.
CR0 -
WelcomeCR1954 said:Welcome Kat..........
Welcome Kat, although I'm sorry that you have to be here.
I can only tell you what my experience was. My surgeon told me that I had the option of lumpectomy or mastectomy also. However, my tumor was quite large and I went in there, knowing that I wanted the very best chance possible in ridding myself of the cancer. So I opted for mastectomy.
In the end, while the decision was mine, she told me that she thought that mastectomy was best because of my particular tumor, and that she was glad that I had chosen that route. I believe that if I had chosen lumpectomy instead, she would have gently "led" me to decide otherwise.
I think if you ask your doctor what the pros and cons of each are in your particular case, she will tell you. Tell her that you need more information before you make a decision. That you want to make the best choice possible FOR YOU.
Best wishes.
CR
Kat,
Welcome to this site where you will find very helpful people.
I opted for a double mastectomy-cancer only in left breast--with tissue expanders put in the time of surgery. I did not want to always have to wonder if cancer would develop in the other breast. I am glad I chose the double because my cancer was HER2+ and with that result my surgeon said that if I had only had a single mastectomy or a lumpectomy I would have had to go in for another surgery to remove both breasts.
That is my decision and experience and everyone else's is different.
Like CR stated: ask your doctor the pros and cons of each.
Hugs,
Margo0 -
Thank you. Doctor told meCR1954 said:Welcome Kat..........
Welcome Kat, although I'm sorry that you have to be here.
I can only tell you what my experience was. My surgeon told me that I had the option of lumpectomy or mastectomy also. However, my tumor was quite large and I went in there, knowing that I wanted the very best chance possible in ridding myself of the cancer. So I opted for mastectomy.
In the end, while the decision was mine, she told me that she thought that mastectomy was best because of my particular tumor, and that she was glad that I had chosen that route. I believe that if I had chosen lumpectomy instead, she would have gently "led" me to decide otherwise.
I think if you ask your doctor what the pros and cons of each are in your particular case, she will tell you. Tell her that you need more information before you make a decision. That you want to make the best choice possible FOR YOU.
Best wishes.
CR
Thank you. Doctor told me that my tumor is less the 1cc. That Lumpectomy/ Mastectomy the risk was the same. She said I need to have a MRI this week. She said that the MRI could make the decision for me. Just scared to make the wrong decision.0 -
mad
Okay, your doctor said a bilateral mast was overkill. This kind of stuff makes me mad. It's not the doctors who have to live with the fear of recurrence, it's US!
I am glad I had a double mastectomy. Here is my story: I had cancer in the left breast. It was Stage I and did not spread to the lymph nodes. My doctors also pushed for a lumpectomy, but after thinking it over, I decided to do the mast because I thought that even if the survival rates are the same, the local recurrence is slightly higher with a lumpectomy and I never, ever wanted to go thru chemo again. Well, AFTER I went thru chemo and had the first mastectomy, I was then tested and found to have the BRCA gene. With BRCA, mastectomy is recommended and it is more likely you would get cancer in your other breast. So you see: not only was I right to have a mast the first time instead of the lumpectomy my doctors had recommended, but I went ahead and had a second, preventive mast on the other breast.
Listen to your doctors, but in the end decide yourself. You know yourself best.
Best of luck,
Ohilly0 -
Kat
I had a small tumor too..it was less than .1 cm, so, a lumpectomy was recommended with radiation treatments after I healed from the surgery, which was about 6 weeks later. I, personally, don't know if I could do a mastectomy, no matter what. And, I don't want to offend anyone here. My breasts are important to me and a part of me, my feeling like a woman, my sexuality, I just don't want to lose them and I am thankful I didn't. A lumpectomy was the right choice for ME, but, everyone is different. My lumpectomy scar is barely visible. It is really hard to even see..you really have to look for it. I had a brilliant surgeon that I just love! YOU have to decide what YOU want and what you can live with. And, your oncologist will give you the positive and negative of both surgeries. Also, you can get breast cancer again even if you have a mastectomy. Most oncologist's will tell you that the chance of a recurrence or your survival rate is the same whether you have a lumpectomy or a mastectomy and so does the research. Your MRI will tell you if there might be more "hot spots". Also, are you having lymph nodes taken out? That will also help with the treatment decisions. And your pathology report, which is done after your surgery, will tell you exactly what you are dealing with. I wish you the very best Kat in your decision. Just make sure you do what you want to do and don't let anyone talk you into anything that you don't feel comfortable with. And, don't do anything just because someone might scare you into it. You have to live with your choice, your body, your decision. Good luck to you and keep us posted please!0 -
HiKristin N said:Kat
I had a small tumor too..it was less than .1 cm, so, a lumpectomy was recommended with radiation treatments after I healed from the surgery, which was about 6 weeks later. I, personally, don't know if I could do a mastectomy, no matter what. And, I don't want to offend anyone here. My breasts are important to me and a part of me, my feeling like a woman, my sexuality, I just don't want to lose them and I am thankful I didn't. A lumpectomy was the right choice for ME, but, everyone is different. My lumpectomy scar is barely visible. It is really hard to even see..you really have to look for it. I had a brilliant surgeon that I just love! YOU have to decide what YOU want and what you can live with. And, your oncologist will give you the positive and negative of both surgeries. Also, you can get breast cancer again even if you have a mastectomy. Most oncologist's will tell you that the chance of a recurrence or your survival rate is the same whether you have a lumpectomy or a mastectomy and so does the research. Your MRI will tell you if there might be more "hot spots". Also, are you having lymph nodes taken out? That will also help with the treatment decisions. And your pathology report, which is done after your surgery, will tell you exactly what you are dealing with. I wish you the very best Kat in your decision. Just make sure you do what you want to do and don't let anyone talk you into anything that you don't feel comfortable with. And, don't do anything just because someone might scare you into it. You have to live with your choice, your body, your decision. Good luck to you and keep us posted please!
I had the choice and made the WRONG decission for me. I went for the lumpectomy, my tumour was 8-10cm, I lost most of my breast but not enough to not have very painful mammograms any more. Given what I know now I would have had both of the buggers straight off. Jxxxx0 -
It is a tough decision
Fear and confusion are part of the territory for cancer survivors, unfortunately, but it does get better. Get someone you trust to go with you to every appointment. Write down EVERY question that pops into your head and take your notebook and your helper with you to help listen. Write down the answers. It is too much information to remember at the time, and 2 heads are better than one. I bought the book "a cancer journey" from the American Cancer Society online bookstore. It was very helpful to me. Look on reputable websites like ACS, Susan G. Komen, M.D. Anderson, or others. Be as informed as you can and take your time. I know right at first it feels like you just want to get it all over with yesterday, but for most people cancer treatment is a process and there is time to be thourough and make sure you understand and are comfortable with your decision.
All that said, Here's my experience:
I felt the tumor on a self-exam and knew what it was before I went to the doc. about it. One month there was nothing, next month it felt like a boiled egg. Mammogram, ultrasound, and boipsy confirmed cancer. From the beginning Dr. recommended unilateral mastectomy. I wanted bilateral even though they said only 10% chance of recurrence...why not get rid of that 10%, right? Yes, I know that does not mean I am guaranteed not to get cancer somewhere else, but it won't be in the other Breast! Insurance said they wouldn't pay (because Dr. said it was not a medical necessity), then wound up reimbursing us after the fact...who knows why. I did chemo and radiation too...plan on reconstruction in June so I can have summer to recover and won't have to take off from my job in public schools. So my treatment from original diagnosis to reconstruction will be a 2 year process, but I am cancer free and will have as much peace of mind as any of us can.
You might check with your insurance to see what they will or won't cover too. Talk to your Dr. maybe even seek out a second opinion, if that will help you feel confident in your decision. Ultimately, it is up to you because you have to live with the consequences.
I wish you well, seof.0 -
"Most oncologists will tell you that the chance of a recurrence or your survival rate is the same whether you have a lumpectomy or a mastectomy and so do the research."Kristin N said:Kat
I had a small tumor too..it was less than .1 cm, so, a lumpectomy was recommended with radiation treatments after I healed from the surgery, which was about 6 weeks later. I, personally, don't know if I could do a mastectomy, no matter what. And, I don't want to offend anyone here. My breasts are important to me and a part of me, my feeling like a woman, my sexuality, I just don't want to lose them and I am thankful I didn't. A lumpectomy was the right choice for ME, but, everyone is different. My lumpectomy scar is barely visible. It is really hard to even see..you really have to look for it. I had a brilliant surgeon that I just love! YOU have to decide what YOU want and what you can live with. And, your oncologist will give you the positive and negative of both surgeries. Also, you can get breast cancer again even if you have a mastectomy. Most oncologist's will tell you that the chance of a recurrence or your survival rate is the same whether you have a lumpectomy or a mastectomy and so does the research. Your MRI will tell you if there might be more "hot spots". Also, are you having lymph nodes taken out? That will also help with the treatment decisions. And your pathology report, which is done after your surgery, will tell you exactly what you are dealing with. I wish you the very best Kat in your decision. Just make sure you do what you want to do and don't let anyone talk you into anything that you don't feel comfortable with. And, don't do anything just because someone might scare you into it. You have to live with your choice, your body, your decision. Good luck to you and keep us posted please!
The chance of survival with a lumpectomy is often the same as if you have a mastectomy--BUT YOUR CHANCE OF RECURRENCE IS NOT THE SAME.
If you were at high risk of breast cancer before this instance (because of BRCA gene, or because of family history, or dense breasts, or abnormal tissue, or size of tumor, or being female, or being older) your chance of recurrence is higher because of those same reasons. Plus the fact that if you have one breast cancer, that alone raises your chance of having another breast cancer.
That still doesn't mean that a lumpectomy isn't the correct answer for some women--small tumors, no history...but please be vigilant in your screening for the rest of your life!
With a mastectomy (2 in my case), my chance of having a recurrence of breast cancer goes down by 99%--and if I have a recurrent cancer, it will be a lump directly under the skin, because that's the only place I have any breast tissue.
I still have a chance for a distant recurrence, but that's a different matter.
Lisa0 -
I agreeLtalcott said:"Most oncologists will tell you that the chance of a recurrence or your survival rate is the same whether you have a lumpectomy or a mastectomy and so do the research."
The chance of survival with a lumpectomy is often the same as if you have a mastectomy--BUT YOUR CHANCE OF RECURRENCE IS NOT THE SAME.
If you were at high risk of breast cancer before this instance (because of BRCA gene, or because of family history, or dense breasts, or abnormal tissue, or size of tumor, or being female, or being older) your chance of recurrence is higher because of those same reasons. Plus the fact that if you have one breast cancer, that alone raises your chance of having another breast cancer.
That still doesn't mean that a lumpectomy isn't the correct answer for some women--small tumors, no history...but please be vigilant in your screening for the rest of your life!
With a mastectomy (2 in my case), my chance of having a recurrence of breast cancer goes down by 99%--and if I have a recurrent cancer, it will be a lump directly under the skin, because that's the only place I have any breast tissue.
I still have a chance for a distant recurrence, but that's a different matter.
Lisa
Lisa, thanks for putting it so clearly! I never understood why the doctors only emphasized the survival rates and not the higher chance of local recurrence with lumpectomy.
Interesting that I have almost never seen a post from a woman who had a mastectomy who regretted that decision - have you?
Ohilly0 -
Welcome, Kat11...
... though sorry for the reason you're here. Amongst this amazing group of folks so willing to help & share, support & encourage - you will find much comfort. Please remember - ALWAYS - that although we all have breast cancer - each is a very, very individual case. What's "right" for one isn't necessarily "right" for the other. In all aspects.
Your doctor's statement regarding "overkill" may come from a very general perspective amongst the modern medical community that surgery is best kept minimized. Please note that I used the word "may" - I certainly don't know for sure, wasn't there with you, etc. ...
Confusion is normal, to be expected, we've all been there. Of course you're scared. It's a scary disease - yet, highly survivable. At this point in time, I don't think you have enough information yet to be able to make an informed & comfortable decision about lumpectomy vs. mastectomy. You mention an upcoming MRI, and your doctor's advice that the results of that test will help to better determine the next step. One step helps lead to the next...
The breast cancer journey can only be travelled one step at a time. It's not easy, it's darned frustrating, and it takes a while to adjust to this way of thinking. We want the "big picture" upfront... we want "to know"... But, this is simply not possible along the road.
You will face many, many decisions - now and into the future. You are already off to a strong start because you've got a team of doctors you like, and they're "full of information" - gather as much knowledge as you possibly can, primarily from THEM, before you make ANY decision.
Please visit us here, often and whenever you feel the need. Best wishes to you, Kat11.
Kind regards, Susan0 -
deciding
Hello!
As others have said: each person is different. It depends on the type of cancer you have, where the tumor is, the size, and your tolerance of risk. I had DCIS, had a lumpectomy and I'm very happy with my decision. I may face the beast again, but then again, I may get hit by a truck tomorrow. We never know what life has in store for us and can only make the best choices for us at the time.
Maureen0 -
HiEveningStar2 said:deciding
Hello!
As others have said: each person is different. It depends on the type of cancer you have, where the tumor is, the size, and your tolerance of risk. I had DCIS, had a lumpectomy and I'm very happy with my decision. I may face the beast again, but then again, I may get hit by a truck tomorrow. We never know what life has in store for us and can only make the best choices for us at the time.
Maureen
I had a lumpectomy and I am now in radiation. The choice I made was the best for me and the smartest for me. I had a small tumor, clean margins and my lymph nodes were clean. A lot of the women on this site that had mastectomies had large tumors, according to what I have been told and read, and a lot had lymph node involvement. In those cases, a mastectomy would be the best for them as they would lose so much of their breast anyway as Tasha said she did. I saw pictures of mastectomies, the scars, even met a couple of women and saw their implants and heard their stories. It wasn't for me..not ever. My scar is barely visible and I still have my breast...something that makes me feel like a woman. I realize I am lucky to have been able to have a lumpectomy, and, I thank God for that. My oncologist told me and I have researched this too, that the recurrence and survival rate is the same with a lumpectomy as with a mastectomy. And, sometimes better with a lumpectomy because it is normally always followed by radiation that kills any stray cancer cells. In a lot of mastectomies, they don't follow up with radiation which means that in the breast tissue left, there could be cancer cells sitting there hiding, growing and moving on. Whatever you decide, you need to do what you think is best for you. Talk to your oncologist, talk to your surgeon, talk to women that have been thru both. Make an educated decision based on the facts and what you want to have done. And, so much of it depends on what they actually find when you have your surgery. So, talk to you doctors, research your options, talk with your family and friends, but, just do what you want to do. Nothing more - Nothing less.0 -
KatKat11 said:Thank you all for your
Thank you all for your feedback. With the help of doctors, family, friends I hope I do the best thing for me. Scared to death, but it helps to here from people who have been there. Thanks again for your help
It is ok to be scared, but, just make sure that you have all of the answers to your questions. Make sure you have researched your options besides what the doctors tell you. Call the American Cancer Society..they have a 24 hour hotline and they can inform you, talk to you, listen to you. But just do what YOU want to do, what you feel safe with, what you can live with, what will help you. Good luck Kat!
p.s. i had a lumpectomy and am now taking radiation treatments. it was the right choice for me.0
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