Decision time

Hi, My wife was diagnosed last April with TNBC. She had a 23mm tumour. Had chemo first which had an excellent response. Opted/advised to have lumpectomy due to this response. 

Thank you, I had 2 tumours 3.5mm each. I'm in such a quandary. 

3.5mm? My wife just went with the surgeons advice. She was in the same quandary as you. They will ensure that they remove the footprint of the tumours with a good clear margin. They also removed 4 nodes from my wife to test (which were clear). Do discuss your quandary with the breast cancer nurse. Thats what they are there for. Good luck with everything. 

Sorry cm not mm - wishful thinking.

Remember, you have had a great response to chemo and the fact the surgeon is now talking lumpectomy is a great sign. Stay strong. All the best. 

Thank you so much 

Hi LJC

I have TNBC and I had a lumpectomy. As far as I understand, it’s a technical decision about the size of the tumour versus the size of the breast. The results from lumpectomy plus radiotherapy are much the same as those of mastectomy. A small tumour in a larger breast is a candidate for lumpectomy whereas a large tumour in a small breast isn’t. Similarly a multi focal tumour or a tumour plus a load of DCIS probably needs mastectomy. You are getting the benefit of chemo shrinking it. 

Thank you for this. Your responses have really helped.

I now have the added issue that I contracted covid less than 7 weeks ago and they may have to postpone surgery but I ended chemo 4 weeks ago so to delay another 7 weeks is scarey. Its going to MDT tomorrow.