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query re surgery

samroz3
Offline

Hi, 

I was wondering in terms of surgery and surgeons is there any information that would indicate what the best hospital is to have surgery at and the best surgeon and obtain reviews on the surgeon, also will the surgeon be able to show me before and after pictures which would help me to decide whether to go through a reconstruction, help to talk and show the surgeon what I would like to achieve if it is possible, and so I can visualise the results before making a decision. In terms of full masectomy are all options available to me in terms of reconstruction from my own body and if so what parts of my body? as well saline and silicone implants.

I am going through chemo at the moment as I have inflammatory breast cancer, it is really frustrating as people keep saying take it one step at a time and so no one has answered these questions at the hospital so dar but that is not a useful approach for me and is infuriating as I like to be fully informed and the surgery and what it is going to look like and how it is going to effect me, and the possible looks of reconstruction are what I am most concerned about. The more I know about the surgery, the more it will help me visualise and process what I will look like and what can be done, which is a better way to help me cope.

Also, are there any specific support groups either nationally or in the Sussex area online or otherwise for people with inflammatory breast cancer, during my journey it would be useful to have had a buddy that had gone through this themself that could talk me through their experience.


Thanks, 

Rose 

  • Hello there samroz3 and thanks for posting

    I am sorry to hear about your situation and appreciate you wanting to have a better understanding of what options may be open to you in regards to surgery.

    We cannot recommend specific hospitals or surgeons to perform your breast surgery, however you can search up surgical location services on the NHS website and specialists/surgeons on the Royal college of surgeons of England webpage.

    It will only be the hospital and the surgeon involved in your care who can say what surgeries are possible in your situation. They usually will explain each surgery and what is involved for you to be able to make a decision. They may be able to show you some images of what to expect but it might be difficult to show you exactly what you will look like afterwards.

    Reconstruction isn't always an option or when it is, it is not always possible to have the reconstruction at the same time as the mastectomy. This is something again you would have to ask the surgeon.

    We have a page about different types of breast cancer surgery on our website, so do take a look at this.

    You may wish to think about reaching out to Breast Cancer Now as they are breast-specific so they may also be able to help you get a better understanding of breast surgery. They also have a service called someone like me where they can put you in touch with a patient who has been through similar to you, that may be worth doing as you navigate breast surgery.

    There is the UK Inflammatory Breast Cancer network IBC and Macmillan also have an inflammatory breast cancer-specific forum on their website for support too.

    Wishing you all the best

    Take care

    Naomi

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Naomi

    Hi thanks for the reply.  In terms of a further question if it is found that chemo has killed the cancer if the cancer is killed off why is surgery necessary?

  • in reply to samroz3

    Hi Samroz3 and thank you for your post.

    I am sorry you have been diagnosed with breast cancer and can understand you have questions.

    Chemotherapy is a common preoperative treatment for women with breast cancer. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is the term for it.

    Before surgery, it's frequently used to shrink the tumour. This means that some people may be able to have breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy), instead of a mastectomy.

    Even though the chemotherapy may have been successful at shrinking the tumour there may still be residual cancer left which a scan is unable to pick up.

    Surgery can be effective in curing various types of cancer. The specific type of surgery performed will depend on the cancer being treated.

    Your Breast Care Nurse can explain in more detail why you require surgery as she is part of your hospital team.

    I hope this information is useful

    Please get back to us if you need any more information or support. You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Kind regards

    Tina

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