Next step

I am a premenopausal 46 yo, dx 10/9/09 with IDC. Lumpectomy was 7.3x6.6 cm with 2 positive margins...inferior and medial. 3 areas of IDC 1.3 cm, 1.1 cm and 1 mm. the two larger tumors were ~3 cm away from each other. It is ER+/PR+ and HER2- . It is mostly grade 1, with nuclear grade 1 and 2. Extensive DCIS throughout the whole specimen. Margins were positive for DCIS and invasive. 2 SN were benign.

He offered a second lumpectomy to try for clear margins or a mastectomy. I am thinking mastectomy, but I'm not sure. I really don't want to go through a third surgery.

Any recommendations?

[SueYoung55]

I am so sorry you have to deal with this. Cancer stinks. Decisions like this are so personal to each person. Some want to conserve breast tissue and some are like me, get it off of me now so I don't have to go through this again .

How about bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction so you get it all done at once? Just a thought and that's what I would have done if I had known I could. I removes most of your breast tissue and seriously reduces the risk of more cancer or DCIS. If you don't have to do radiation, you could do implants or what I chose which is DIEP flap which spares the muscle but moves your tummy fat and blood supply up to make gorgeous breasts. I actually look better now than I did before cancer (body wise) and am glad I chose what I chose.

Best wishes and remember, do what's best for you and what you can live with without regrets. :)