Lumpectomy or Mastectomy

I was diagnosed with stage 2, grade 3 triple negative breast cancer in April and am coming to the end of my 8 cycles of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy which has been really tough.

It’s now time to decide on surgery, my oncologist recommends lumpectomy with radiotherapy, however, I am so worried about recurrence.  I think for me, a mastectomy would give me more closure on what I’ve been through and would reduce the risk of a primary recurrence (in my opinion).  I know there is a larger risk of distant recurrence, unfortunately.  Obviously it’s a much bigger surgery and recovery will be tougher but I kind of see it as a “once it’s done, it’s done” sort of thing.  It would also hopefully remove the need for radiation as long as my lymph nodes are clear.  

Does anybody have any thoughts on the 2 options or personal experiences they could share to help me decide?  I know it’s a personal decision but any advice is welcomed. 

Parents
  • Hi BW123

    It is a hard decision to make, I havent been through it myself, but my mum had a lumpectomy first, but they didnt get clear margins with it, she then decided to have a mastectomy.  As Jolamine says, she actually had less pain following the surgery for the mastectomy than the lumpectomy ( although she also, did not have reconstruction).

    Good luck with the rest of your treatment.

    Best wishes

    Annie

  • Hi Jolamine and annie123,

    Thank you so much for sharing your experience, I will definitely start my list of questions for my appointment next week.  I am leaning towards a mastectomy but would have reconstruction.  The fact that it will hopefully remove the need for radiotherapy is a huge bonus for me too.  I also heard that you don’t need to have mammograms either.  

    I just need to know that I’ve done everything I can to prevent recurrence as I know triple negative has quite a high chance of coming back and I think I’d forever worry after a lumpectomy.  

    Thanks again, B x

  • Hi BW123,

    Given the type of breast cancer you have, along with the staging, I think that I would feel the same.

    Please keep in touch and let us know what you decide to do.


    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Thank you - I have an appointment next Friday so I will let you know what we decide x

  • I shall be thinking of you on Friday and hope that you reach the right decision for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

Reply Children
  • Hi  

    I thought I’d pop back and let you know that I will be having a single mastectomy towards the end of November. Thank you for your advice x

  • Hi BW123,

    Thank you for the update. I am glad to hear that you have reached a decision and I hope that you feel happy with this now. Given the chance of recurrence with this type of cancer, I am sure that you would feel happier to have done all you can to try to prevent this from happening - if only we had a crystal ball to see into the future!

    Have you finished your chemo yet? Have you got a date for your surgery yet? I sincerely hope that it all goes well and that you won't need radiotherapy.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hi Jolamine,

    Yes, I am happy with the decision and like you say, I want to know I’ve done all I can to prevent recurrence. I finished my chemo mid October and believe mastectomy will be before the end of November as it has to be within 6 weeks but no dates yet. 

    Hoping to have a normal-ish Christmas

  • Hi BW123,

    I am glad to hear that you feel happy with your decision and know in yourself that you have done everything you can to prevent recurrence.

    It shouldn't be that much longer before you have surgery. You may find that you'll be quite tired at Christmas, so try to get as much as you can done before your mastectomy.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx