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Double mastectomy or double lumpectomy?

sunlover
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Hi,

In brief, I've been diagnosed with small (7mm) cancer in each breast, so in theory can have a double lumpectomy and radiotherapy.  Or, I could have a double mastectomy but the nurse keeps saying that that would be 'overtreatment'.  In addition, I had a vague area in one of my breasts appear on the MRI scan - they were going to biopsy it, but when I went for the biopsy it wasn't showing up on the MRI!  

I am seeing the consultant tomorrow, and as I've had a number of scans and biopsies now (things not showing up on mammograms or ultrasound) he's keen to get going with surgery.  The nurse thinks he'll be likely to say go ahead with lumpectomies and have the 'unknown area' reviewed regularly on MRI.

I've been reading posts on here, and a number of people have said that they have had mastectomy(ies) to reduce the risk of recurrance, but the consultant has told me that it can still recur in the skin or remotely (basically don't get too cocky about it!) and that lumpectomies and radiotherapy is equally successful.

I just wondered if anyone else has been in this position, and if anyone has had a mastectomy then had a recurrence/new cancer?

Thanks in advance!

Sunlover

  • Offline in reply to marywj

    Strange how they are so reluctiant to do an MRI - cost, presumably!  I guess one option would be to have an MRI done privately if you can afford it, for peace of mind.  You could use the argument that as your ductal cancer showed up as small in imaging and turned out to be larger, that additional imaging such as MRI would be useful to check out any other potentially hidden cancers.  

    As you are on Tamoxifen now, hopefully that will help to fend off any more rogue cells!  Glad to hear that you are doing ok on it.

  • Offline

    Hello there; I was diagnosed in July 22 after finding an inverted nipple and hardening on my left breast . On mammogram it showed up as cancer , biopsy was taken just to make sure and something showed up deep down in my right breast . This could not be felt , I had to go back for a mammogram guided biopsy . Unfortunately, both were cancers , but as they had been found early the team were positive .A mastectomy was suggested on my left and a partial one on my right . I decided to have a double mastectomy, to be even . Had to have lymph removed from left side too . Amazingly I had no pain after the op and recovery was great . Have had 16 weeks of Chemotherapy which also went really well .No nausea , just some neuropathy in toes and fingers, taste went a bit cardboardy on the A/C. But all in all no problems. I am now taking Letrezole and will be on this for 10 years . Going back to you , whatever you decide is right for you and go with that . I am also not bothered about being bald and not having eyebrows , got myself eye drops when the lashes went as it's more comfortable . Good luck and stay positive , the treatment seems to fly .xx

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