conflicting pathology reports

I have dcis in my left breast. I have had two lumpectomies and was about to have radiation. When the radiation oncologist got her pathology report -it read that the margins were not clear enough for radiation. My pathology report after surgery in another hospital said my margins were clear for radiation. I am totally confused. What should I do?

[SueYoung55]

Is mastectomy an option or would you feeling better getting a third opinion?

[kk1948]

Yes, mastectomy is definitely an option I am considering. Probably a double mastectomy.

[SueYoung55]

If you decide to do that you need to know that you also have the right for immediate reconstruction or delayed reconstruction or no reconstruction. If you are planning on the radiation, you don't want to go the expander and/or implant route as implants and radiation don't play well together. There are tissue transfer options out that do tolerate radiation before reconstruction or delayed reconstrucion. I will break them down into two categories, muscle sparing or muscle moved.

Muscle moved tissue transfer options would be tram flap. I am not including lattisimus flap as that may involve an implant and alloderm with the muscle moved from your back to your front to help "sling" the implant.

Muscle sparing options would include: DIEP flap, Stacked DIEP FLAP, SIEA Flap, Bilateral Simultaneous immediate GAP flap, SGAP Flap, IGAP Flap, and Hip Flap.

Note** Plastic surgeons will only offer the surgeries they know how to perform. The muscle sparing reconstruction surgeries require specialized Micro surgeon/Plastic surgeons.

I chose DIEP flap and am thrilled with my reconstruction.

I hope I've given you some things to think about without overloading you.

[SueYoung55]

Oh, and if you need any information on those surgeries let me know. Best wishes to you.