lumpectomy for invasive well differentated carcinoma in situ

[aggie21]

I need your opinion, my breast ca is 9mm invasive well differentiated carcinoma in situ, I saw my breast specialist and it was suggested that I have a lumpectomy with maybe hormal theray followed by other treatment with the final patologist report, instead of a mastectomy, I came to terms in having the latter because my rationale is doing that will cure my ca 100%.  What do you think about my decision and my specialist suggestion?

[SueYoung55]

I'm a "take it off, take it all off" kind of gal! They say there is no difference but for my peace of mind, I don't want them on me. I don't need them and I don't miss it. Other one comes off in March (they waited so they could use my skin) and I wish they had taken it off at the same time as the first one, last March.

Best of luck. Whatever you decide will be the best decision for YOU :)

[peekawho]

I had a similarly small but invasive carcinoma in situ.  (this was 14 years ago, so keep that in mind--treatments have changed).

I chose mastectomy instead of lumpectomy and radiation.  My rationale was that I had very small breasts, and a lumpectomy would have been very disfiguring--I always thought a "lumpectomy" sounded like a small operation.  I was shocked to hear they would remove more like a quarter of my breast.  

Plus I did not want radiation and its side effects.

So I had modified radical mastectomy with immediate reconstruction.  No other treatment was necessary (negative nodes).  I had a great cosmetic result, and I've never regretted my decision.

The next year I had another mastectomy w reconstruction on the other side.

But the choices are obviously different for every woman.  I wanted to be done with it, and to get back to work as quickly as possible, to have a good cosmetic result, and to not have to go through weeks of radiation.  

Other women opt for lumpectomy and radiation and are equally happy.  Good luck with your decision, and I hope everything turns out well.

[Sue0871]

You need to do whatever it is you want to do, whatever is going to give you the most "peace"  I went through 2 lumpectomies, because that is what my surgeon and my husband wanted me to do, when I knew in my heart I wanted a mastectomy to rid me of the cancer.  After the 2 lumpectomies, they had to do a mastectomy anyway because they could not get clear margins.  It was a huge weight off of me when the breast was finally gone.  I am now looking forward to new perky breasts.  Only you will know what is right for you.  Good luck and God Bless.