tdmesser
New User
Joined: 10 Sep 2005
Posts: 6
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 Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 7:28 pm Post subject: Help- I can't decide between lumpectomy w/ rad & mastect |
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I have DCIS high grade w/ comedonecrosis & microinvasion. I hear I am lucky because DCIS isn't life threatening, but then 15% recur and of those 1/2 are invasive. I don't know if those stats are overall for DCIS or the more aggressive type of DCIS that I have. I don't want a mastectomy, but then again I don't want to have lumpectomy w/ radiation and then have it recur and have it invasive and have to have a mastectomy w/o reconstruction (because I had the radiation) and need chemo too.
Anyone else struggling over decision? Anyone else who had similar diagnosis and have gone through this? Thanks. |
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BFagan2067
Experienced user
Joined: 07 Oct 2004
Posts: 54
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| Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 10:02 pm Post subject: Re: Help- I can't decide between lumpectomy w/ rad & mastect |
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hi, I am sorry if I missed your name,could not find it...I read the post down below after I responded to the one above.. dont know if that makes any sense  however, I agree with what nancy has said in her replys to you, though we both were dx. at stage IIIA our situations are so very different, her advice is wise. I also think that regardless of what you chose that you should consider having the sentinel node biopsy done by who ever does your surgery. Having that piece of information is very important to piece of mind. Your doc should be able to give you more information to help you with your decision making... you should also know that even if you have radiation you can still have reconstruction, you would be limited to the type of reconstruction that you would be eligible for based on the amount of damage done to the skin but there are all types of reconstructio that you can have, I was going to have reconstruction last year 6 years after my initial dx. there are alot of options. In regards to your choices at hand I am sorry that I can not provide you with alot of feedback... i had no choices I did chose to not have reconstruction based on my individual situation. My cancer was invasive ductal which, many times , does not usually present in the other breast, as opposed to Nancy's which was lobular and does present in the other breast at a much higher rate, which is why she had bilateral. Again individual choice. You are doing the right thing exploring all possibilities and deciding what is best for you. Just a couple of pointers, if you are not already doing so... when you go to the doc and discuss all of this bring another person along to take notes, a second set of ears, who can write down everything they hear.. we get so worried that sometimes we miss part of it ... keep an ongoing list of questions that you have, and no question is to minor.. read those questions right off your list. This is also the way that you will know that the doc is part of your team and lets them know that you want the answers and your concerns wont be just brushed over. You may already be doing this but many people do not and are left confused. Know that when you do make your decision, it will be the best for you, you are asking all the right questions and doing your research. Good luck and let us know.
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Barbara
52, dx 11/98, stage IIIA
Lump 12/98 (5.2cm), MRM 1/99 (5+/28nodes)
A/C , RADS, Taxol
tomox. 2/99-6/00, arimidex 7/00-5/05 |
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