2nd surgery needed after lumpectomy and therapeutic mammaplasty for DCIS

1 reply
274 subscribers
593 views

I had surgery on 9th February - lumpectomy and therapeutic mammaplasty for DCIS.

Today I had my follow-up appointment and found out that it was non invasive cancer they found but the tumour was 42mm not 38mm like they thought. Margins were clear but one area was close so I need to have surgery again to get clearer margins.

I'm trying to be positive that it's definitely non invasive but gutted I'm going to have to start surgery recovery all over again. Surgery is booked for 2 weeks time. I'm still a bit uncomfortable from first surgery.

Also worried the consultant mentioned 'more aggressive treatment' was an option but he recommended this. Assuming he meant mastectomy so now worried if margins aren't clear enough this time will need mastectomy.

Has anyone else had similar experiences?

Hopeful Barb over 2 years ago

Hi TTfan, Sorry to hear about this as it is stressful. Had similar situation as has DCIS in right breast and lumpectomy. All margins were over 2mm which is what they recommend but there was one small area that was <1mm. was no ink on tumor so considered negative. My breasts are small too so was not an option to go back and do more removal. Surgeon brought case to tumor board and recommendation was to have my 3 weeks radiation and a boost of 5 doses to tumor bed as that is where reoccurrence is most likely. I read this article from MD Anderson as it eased my mind. My DCIS was low and intermediate. Also had stage 1 invasive in left breast so was quite a mess with everything. My surgeons were great and hope you can read this and then talk things over with surgeon.

https://www.mdanderson.org/content/dam/mdanderson/documents/for-physicians/algorithms/cancer-treatment/ca-treatment-breast-noninvasive-web-algorithm.pdf

Hugs to you. I know it is a rough patch.

Barbara

More from this forum

2nd surgery needed after lumpectomy and therapeutic mammaplasty for DCIS