Unsure about surgery type

Hi Helen 21 welcome to the forum.. like you my breast cancer was Lobular but a smaller area than yours..That said lobular can be a bit sneaky and develops differently to other types of breast cancer in that it is not always a defined lump. Mine was bigger when it was removed than they originally thought..I imagine it will depend on the size and location and how much breast tissue they need to take but they should be able to advise you re which op when all the results are known. Hope that's useful and happy to answer any further queries you may have. 

Hi Helen

I had a mixed lobular and ductal tumour 4 cm, but with another less than 1 cm area too.  I had a mastectomy which I was glad about as there were a couple of other tiny bits detected when it was all sent to the lab that weren't seen on any scan.  Don't regret it at all, just delighted its all gone.  It was also quite a large area in comparison to my breast size so I would have ended up with a very unsatisfactory outcome cosmetically I think with a lumpectomy.  Good luck with your decision x

Hi Gail, Thank you so much for your reply. That is very helpful. Really hope you are well and recovering, keep well.

Helen x

Hi Lullabelle, Thank you for taking the time to respond to me. That's really helpful and I am definitely leaning towards a full mastectomy just to improve my chances. I trust you are making a good recovery and keep well.

Thanks

Helen x

I had lobular too

bit smaller but as been said the size can “change” between scan and operation as lobular doesn’t show up well on scan.

every case is different but I had lumpectomy and was told that outcome with lumpectomy plus radiotherapy (I had 3 weeks covering breast collarbone and arm pit) was no better or worse than mastectomy. My understand is that it all turns on clear margins. If you have a lumpectomy don’t be too thrown off if they have to go in again for clear margins.

just another thing - lobular is generally estrogen positive - if so you will likely been on hormone treatment. 

very best of luck . Things will get better once you start the treatment programme 

Thank you so much I really appreciate the advice and I hope you are doing well xx

Hi Helen a very difficult decision for you. Ive recently had bi lateral lumpectomies and right breast margins were clear but left breast I have to have further surgery. Was offered another lumpectomy or mastectomy. I have opted for lumpectomy but have been told no guarantee that I won’t need further surgery. I’m booked in for the 11th December. Think sometimes as others have said it’s bigger than first thought and I had several scans including MRI. Lumpectomy less recovery time than mastectomy and if you have mastectomy you won’t need radio therapy but could need chemotherapy with either depending on FX score. Good luck with whatever you decide xx