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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
5 year perspective for mastectomy versus lump/ect radiation
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
5 year perspective for mastectomy versus lump/ect radiation
by nelly8, Jun 06, 2003 12:00AM
Hi, sorry for being annoying, but maybe we can make a better picture all together. I am now 52, so if I survive another 10 years, I will still be active an sexy. Let's don't pray and hope for the best. 1-st scenario: I'll never have recurrence - then lump + rad is better (less hurting). 2-nd scenario: I get recurrence in 5 years in the same breast. If it was mastectomy, what will be the treatment? Chemo only or chemo+rad? Can it be reconstructed again? If it was lump+rad, I will have mastectomy and chemo and no way for reconstruction at 57? So immediate and long term benefits are different? Thank you for going with me (and of course lot of other women) thorough that.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Jun 06, 2003 12:00AM
.Dear nelly8: First, lets be clear. The object of treatment is cure. Not a word most are comfortable using but the intention of treatment in this case is to prevent any recurrence. If you analyze it this way, then the rationale for doing the lumpectomy + radiation therapy makes sense. The problem is ... no one can "guarantee" the desired outcome, making it necessary to look at the "possibility" of recurrence. IF the recurrence is local - in the same breast - the treatment would be mastectomy. The ability to do reconstruction would depend upon the condition of the skin. In any case, it would require a very experienced plastic surgeon if it could be done at all. Additionally, chemotherapy would likely be recommended. Keep in mind, if you do lumpectomy and radiation, there may never be a local recurrence at all.
Member Comments (2)
by surgeon, Jun 06, 2003 12:00AM
reconstruction after mastectomy done on a breast with prior lumpectomy/radiation is done frequently; there's not really an age limit. It has more to do with the condition of the tissues. If a person starts with mastectomy, the chance of local recurrance is much less than with lumpectomy. Were it to recur, in the field of a reconstructed breast, how it would be handled short and long term would depend on the location, size, etc. It's likely any reconstruction would have to wait until well after completion of whatever treatment was elected.
