I've just completed my 6 sessions of chemo, and the MRI and scans show no tumors, or if there are any none are visible. I am still being told I will need surgery to remove any/all residual tissue that was the tumor. I was given 3 options: 1) lumpectomy 2) oncoplastic surgery 3) mastectomy. I would prefer not having implants for any type of reconstruction, and told that with oncoplastic surgery that would not be necessary. I'm now at the stage of surgery and just need to make a decision. For those who have not seen my history I am Stage 2 HER2+ in right breast only. Genetic test is all negative, no family history of breast cancer.
Thank you all.
Karin
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Karina66
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Hi, a year ago I had a lumpectomy with 25% reduction and uplift on left breast. I can honestly say I was thrilled with the result. The scars are barely visible and the shape is nice. On Monday same surgeon is going to the reduction and uplift on right breast so they are even, as the difference between them is massive. My breasts were large and very saggy pre breast cancer lol. Good luck with making your decision. I like to be in control of everything but as I trusted my surgeon I asked what he felt clinically would be best option and went with that . Carolyn x
Thank you for your feedback. I am waiting to talk to my plastic surgeon to confirm what the breast surgeons recommend re. the oncoplastic surgery and if reconstruction can be nicely done. I'm not really sure how much tissue will be removed and how much reconstruction of existing will be available so that the breast will look ok. Since the left breast is cancer free that will need to be done at the same time so there is symmetry.
When you had your lumpectomy did you need radiation treatment post surgery? One breast surgeon said yes, the other did not mention it, but sometimes I find I need to prod doctors to get the full picture. I'll talk with my Oncologist as well. I guess it may also depend on pathology report info from the tissue removed after surgery.
Since one surgeon mentioned the oncoplastic surgery and the other did not. I had originally leaned toward a double mastectomy, but after MRI and ultra sounda test results I figure either way there is always a risk of recurrence but if I am lucky at least with a lumpectomy I will still have some breast whereas with the mastectomy not - I feel it's all a game of chance. I will still need to be on Herceptin and Perjeta for the rest of year - so hopefully that may help my odds as well. There just doesn't seem to be a right or wrong path here, basically comes down to how and what I feel comfortable with.
Hi Karina, I had carboplatin, Doxataxel, Perjeta and Herceptin pre surgery and 15 sessions of radiotherapy and the rest of the Herceptin post surgery. As you say it comes down to listening to the medical opinions and making a judgment. When my surgeon first suggested lumpectomy and reduction with option of surgery on unaffected side I said no, I wanted the minimum surgery and to survive. When I saw the results of the surgery and the good job that he had done I decided symmetry was important. Take care of yourself and do what is right for you xx
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