Surgery or Chemo first?

That's exactly what happened for my daughter. She was initially told it would be a mastectomy, with 8 chemo cycles first . However, scans after chemo showed that the tumour had shrunk so much that lumpectomy was the way forwards. She had mentally adjusted to the idea of mastectomy and wasn't sure if she preferred that - less chance of recurrence. Oncologist said go for lumpectomy, much simpler surgery to recover from and statistically no difference in recurrence numbers. She did have to have radiotherapy and further chemo after surgery, not sure if that would have been the same if she'd pushed for a mastectomy? But she's doing well now.

Very best wishes to your friend. xxx

Thank you so much for your reply. I’m so glad your daughter is doing better now.

My friend’s tumour is 4.5cm, localised, no spread, ER/PR positive. Did your daughter get second opinions from oncologists during her treatment with regards mastectomy/lumpectomy? 

Hi, I had 12 sessions chemo first shrunk cancer completely and just needed lumpectomy and will be having radiotherapy shortly. 
I prepared myself for a masectomy and anything else was a bonus. my friend recently had a masectomy and she said it was much better than she thought and looks and feels great now.

Best of luck. 

Hi , l am having 3cm lump in my breast . Doctors do some test l am clean  for now , so l will have  surgery straight away,   it will be mastectomy with 2 or 3 lumps removal 

I've just started chemo, this week, before surgery as stage 2 (in my dratted lymph nodes too) but after having a right sided mastectomy as my skin is affected too so maybe it's the same? 

I've got to admit, I'm almost at the point of asking for a double mastectomy, for a get rid of everything approach (I'm 55) but that could just be just me. 

Good luck to you and your friend AND EVERYONE else in this shippy club 

Keep well everyone (and that's a order!) Love & hugs xxx

Hi I’m going for my oncology appointment tomorrow with hopefully a start to chemo not sure what to expect as was told it’s a long appointment … Polly xx

No, daughter didnt ask for a second opinion. She was being treated by a very senior oncologist at Guy's who said that it had been a 'team' decision that lumpectomy was the best way to go and she was happy to accept that. xx

Yes, the lump can shrink. Mine went for something like 4cm to 1.5cm.

Hi I’m hoping mine will shrink from the chemo it’s 6cm so fairly large , it’s crazy as I only had a mammogram in January 24 , and it was clear , how many rounds of chemo did you have .. Polly. 

The decision whether to have surgery or chemo first is based on the size, grade and type of cancer. The advantage of having chemo first is being able to tell whether it is shrinking the tumour. Mastectomy versus lumpectomy is usually a simple question of size of tumour versus size of breast. The benefits from lumpectomy plus radiotherapy are the same as mastectomy, so if they can get a good cosmetic result from lumpectomy they will recommend that, as it’s an easier surgery. The exception will be if your friend has BRCA gene mutations when a double mastectomy is usually offered.