BREAST CANCER

[rizzo]

MY MOM,61, WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER. HAD LUMPECTOMY IN
SEPTEMBER. TUMOR WAS 2.1 CM. INVASIVE, GRADE 1, 1 NODE POSITIVE.
SHE JUST FINISHED DOSE DENSE CHEMO (AC,THEN TAXOL).NOW SHE
HAS TO GO FOR RADIATION. SHE IS STARTING TO WANT A MASTECTOMY
IN YOUR HONEST OPINION WHAT WILL BENEFIT HER THE MOST.AS FAR
AS LESS RISK OF RECURRENCE AND FOR SOMEONE IN HER AGE. SHE DOES
NOT CARE ABOUT LOSING HER BREAST,SHE JUST WANTS PEACE OF MIND.
DO YOU THINK IT IS BETTER TO TAKE OUT WHAT HAD CANCER (MASTECTOMY)OR TREAT IT (RADIATION). ALSO, CAN THE RADIATION DAMAGE HEART,LUNG???  MY MOM IS BIG BREASTED 42DD, SO THERE IS MORE BREAST TISSUE.

[rizzo]

i would appreciate if surgeon can please respond

[rizzo]

IF MY MOM OPTS FOR MASTECTOMY, IS THERE A BIG CHANCE THAT
IT CAN RECUR IN CHEST WALL OR SCAR TISSUE??
IF SHE OPTS FOR RADIATION, WILL IT BE MORE DIFFICULT TO
DETECT CANCER WITH MAMMOGRAPHY.
ALSO, AS FOR HORMONE THERAPY, WE ARE LEANING TOWARDS ARIMIDEX
VERSUS TAMOXIFEN.  WHAT IS YOUR OPINION.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear rizzo:  According to research, lumpectomy with radiation and mastectomy have equal survival rates.  In most cases, the decision to do one or the other is a matter of personal preference.  Although uncommon and technique related, radiation can damage the lung, and even more rarely, the heart.  She should have a discussion with her oncologist and breast surgeon and re-evaluate for herself the pros and cons of each.  It is unusual to pursue mastectomy after the chemo but it is possible.