pleomorphic lobular cancer in situ - op decisions!!

Hi, sorry to hear that you are facing this & the tough decisions that have to be made

I opted for a the same op as you, as large busted, a quarter of my breast was removed plus tumour & breast reduction on other side. It was a lot in one go tbh

Unfortunately the margins weren't clear & 8 weeks after the first surgery I went in for a mastectomy with implant reconstruction 

I wanted to have a chance at keeping my own breast but it didn't work out that way 

If you are in doubt ask to discuss again before the op 

Best wishes x 

Hi Kitty1,

Thank you so much for replying and sorry that you had to return to surgery for a mastectomy.  That must have been a lot for you to recover from. I have an appt tmw to give consent so will talk to the surgeon then.  It is so difficult when given so many options.  I know it is good that we are given the chance to make an informed decision but I really would have like to have been given some clear advice on what the best way to go was !!

Best wishes

x

It is difficult for sure, my surgeon & oncologist have always given recommendations but the final decision is always with patient

I've always gone with recommended treatments but I know we are all different 

Good luck tomorrow 

Best wishes x 

Hi Flossie, I'm sorry you are struggling to know what to do for the best. If it's any help, this was my experience: I had invasive ductal carcinoma, 35mm, also in one lymph node. I had chemo first, after which there was no cancer visible on MRI. This was confirmed after a lumpectomy and lymph node clearance, so I consider myself very fortunate that they got clear margins and I didn't need further surgery. Being large breasted, I was offered therapeutic mammoplasty and contralateral reduction. My surgeon was very clear that symmetry could not be guaranteed, but I went for it as I was not happy with my big bust and I was not symmetrical anyway. She also pointed out that surgery would accentuate any asymmetry. At first all I could see was that I was quite uneven and had to keep telling myself that it was the better than having just a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. Now that it's all settled down (8 weeks post surgery) I am very happy and thankful for the skill of the surgeons that operated on me. I think the margins they removed were about 3cm, which is much more than they would take with a straightforward lumpectomy. I hope you can get some more information and guidance tomorrow and make the right decision. I wish you all the very best for your surgery and any other treatment. Best wishes, Amy x

Hi flossie9600,

I was originally told I needed mastectomy last summer for DCIS but then new consultant said he could remove quarter of boob and tidy up with therapeutic mammoplasty - which completely threw me as I was mentally ready for mastectomy by then. I found it an impossible decision but asked what he would recommend - quadrantectomy & mammoplasty. Finally went with that and understood there'd be mastectomy to follow if he couldn't get clear margins etc. I am so glad I asked him and went with his advice - it was my 1st time (!) so I went with his greater experience and, compared to my friend who oddly went through almost the same story 2 wks before, but had to have a mastectomy, I feel I've had the better deal. Turns out it was the biggest quadrantectomy he'd ever done as there was a lot more hidden but he managed the whole lot and clear margins too so I didn't need the mastectomy and am so, so grateful to have retained as much of my boob as I have left. It was quick to recover from and there'll be symmetry surgery to follow. Good luck with your decision - I found it impossible as I said so followed consultant recommendation... Just thinking about if you have both boobs operated on together, you've only got 1 lot of recovery time which might be good. I didn't find it too painful at all...just a bit tricky at bedtime as I sleep on my front but was massively relieved whole thing was done and I could move on. Turns out they found some actual cancer too so I'm on chemo now for a bit but am grateful I didn't do mastectomy. Hope all goes well tomorrow x