Therapeutic mammaplasty and Tamoxifen

Hi  I've had a bilateral therapeutic mammoplasty for Lobular Cancer in November.  My tumours were over 70mm in total and the largest one was 55mm.  The surgery was fine, I was more uncomfortable than in real pain, I had drains in for a week which were a nuisance but the surgery was a lot easier than I expected.

I was a H/HH cup before and they took tumours the size of an apple from my breast so it was a big op but I am very pleased with the result but to be honest as long as they got all the cancer I would have been happy.  The surgery has been the easiest part of my treatment so far.

Hello TTfan ,

So sorry you find yourself here, the place none of us wanted to come to.  I did read your other post.  You are now in a bit of a mind field - and no matter which way you choose until you are comfortable with your own choice you will question everything..... don't get me wrong this is good - to many of us are pushed along this journey with not time or a change to look into the various different treatment options.

I was originally going for 'therapeutic mammoplasty' as my 'first' surgeon was saying I would need this, I am big chested and the tumour was around 3inches / 75mm - it was suggested 'therapeutic mammoplasty' to 'even up my other boob'......... however, whilst looking into treatment I came across a combined operation for both lumpectomy and internal radiotherapy - given 'at the same time', this treatment is called 'TARGET IORT' 

I went on to investigate this treatment (I was sad that original surgeon hadn't told me about this - by law they are suppose to tell us 'every type of treatment available' - even if not suitable, they should inform us..... side tracking, anyway, I went to see new consultant with view of having the therapeutic mammoplasty and the internal radiotherapy.  I was trying to look at everything in a 'good way' - I had 'sort of' got my head about having both boobs reduced - however, when talking with my new Consultant he said that there was no real reason to have the therapeutic mammoplasty if I didn't want to - as my body would over time adjust and 'fill in' the space/area where 'it' was taken from.....

This left me with a dilemma - I hadn't had surgery before, I was scared, I didn't know what to do ..... Surgeon said 'if I had wanted a boob reduction - I would of had one years ago (although through fear I don't think I would of as much as I might of wanted this done). 

Anyway, due to my own circumstances (not wanting to let my mom know about my situation) I opted for the lumpectomy - this way I would be up and about next day - so this is what I choose.  I found it hard to look at the area for some weeks and when I did look, I could see I had a type of 'triangle' indent on my chest/boob (like the point of the iron had been placed there) - over the months my body did slowly 'fill' the space in and now all I am left with is a single, very faint 3" scar - the fullness as come completely back.  (I do sometimes think cosmetically would I of been happier having boobs reduced - I really don't know - I am just happy that I was able to have the treatment all done in one day.

I hope this helps you a little - the main thing is 'look into the various treatments' and do what is best for you. (even ask surgeon about the previous work he has done, ask if you are eligible to have the TARGET IORT treatment - depending on where you live you may have to be referred to another hospital that does this treatment.  I will put a link up to the originally Professor for this treatment - you could even contact his office and ask for advice on how to be referred to the local NHS hospitals.

Here is a link to the website:-

https://www.targit.org.uk/intrabeam-targit-iort-information

and a link on this site that I wrote back at the time ....

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/breast-cancer-forum/f/general/143626/lumpectomy-radiotherapy-one-day-combined-operation-targit-iort-intraoperative-radiotherapy-treatment?pifragment-13906=1

in the meantime....

Hi there, sorry to read your diagnosis.  I had a bilateral therapeutic mammoplasty on 15 December.  I had a tumour which had two satellite tumours spreading about 39mm in the left breast and a tumour about 16mm in the right.  I also had my lymph nodes under both arms removed although the ones on the right were not cancerous but did not "feel" right.  I was originally advised that I would need a mastectomy but my plastic surgeon re-assessed me and offered me the therapeutic mammoplasty.  I have been very pleased with the surgery.  I was large chested and had a "beautiful droop" (my plastic surgeon's words which enabled the surgery.  They were able to get good margins around the cancer meaning they have removed it all.  I had drains in for about a week which were uncomfortable and the whole area was swollen, sore and uncomfortable.  I was able to stop taking pain killers about 10 days after the operation and four weeks on am healing well although there is a small part by the T junction which is proving difficult.  I would very much recommend the op as although very different the results have been excellent.  Because of the spread to my lymph nodes I will be starting chemo in a couple of weeks and will also need radiotherapy after.

I am not on Tamoxifin but on Letrozole which on googling appears to be a similar medication.  I have not had any side effects that I am awre of.  

Good luck with your surgery. 

Thank you for your reply x

I like to read others stories even though mine is quite different. I do feel a bit obsessed, it's hard not to be this way. It's a sort of community of people who really understand. I don't think about it as worry, it's a lot to process. I had lt lumpectomy and total node clearance. Cancer was in one of the nodes. My sample went off to California for testing to see if chemo will help. Results on 31st Jan. 

It's hard to get my head around how many of us there are. I was a Nurse all my working life. I had just got to state pension age. It's a big wake up call. Trying to be healthier in terms of diet etc. Although just having surgery on 6 th Dec and having cancer is isolating, trying to avoid infections. 

I wasn't given any choice, my surgeon told me he could cure me. I wonder if the choice is at the next stage. It's hard for us to know what is best when they are the experts. I suppose it helps to share the responsibility and take ownership in some way of our journey. Good luck and hope for the best outcome for everyone. X

Hi TTfan, I was diagnosed with  grade 2 papillary breast cancer last January and had a lumpectomy and one node removal then bilateral mammoplasty last February. I had 3 lumps removed, largest 47mm.  I was H cup and am now a DD. I expected to be in pain after but to be honest no pain more tenderness.  Had to wear a bra night and day for several months and slept sitting up for a good few weeks after op but healed really well and year on from diagnosis very perky boobs for a 60 year old..lol..  1st mammogram end of January expecting good news but still a little apprehensive.  Hope all goes well for you. 

• Just to say my breast surgeon made me stop taking tamoxifen 2 weeks before op and two weeks after due to increased risk of clots. Might be worth asking if they want you to do this. 
  Im sure you will be fine. Keep jumping through the hoops as there is light at the end of the tunnel xx

Thank you. Yes I was told to stop taking it 2-3 weeks before surgery. Haven't yet got a date but as it's DCIS it probably won't be for a few months yet.

Thank you.

Thank you.