lumpectomy with no radiation

[jetjill]

I am 40 yrs old and yesterday was diagnosed with early stage calcification cancer.  My Doctor feels pretty confident it has not spread to the lymph nodes (but will not know for sure until after surgery) I am trying to decide on a treatment, lumpectomy with radiation or mastectomy with or with out reconstruction.  My first choice is the lumpectomy, but is am worried about the short and long term side affects of the treatment.  Do I have an option to do the lumpectomy without radiation.  And if so, what are the % chances of the cancer returing with and with out radiation.

Thanks so much for your help.

[lyndi_1]

I was diagnosed with DCIS in January by a steriotactic biopsy.  I had microcalcifications.  I had a lumpectomy and had a choice to have radiation and go on Tamoxifen or skip radiation and take Tamoxifen alone.  After meeting with the oncologist twice, I decided not to have the radiation.  She told me she thought I made the right decision because my DCIS was only 3mm in size, was non comedo and low grade.  I feel that I have made the right decision also.   I'm going back to oncologist this thursday for my 6 month check up...

[jetjill]

Thank you for your information.  I actually have an appointment with the radiation oncologist wednesday and a social worker through the hospital is going to put me in contact with women who have been through the treatment.

Good advice.  Thanks!

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear jetjill:  The purpose of radiation following lumpectomy is local control of the disease.  Local recurrence rates are significantly higher in people who have lumpectomy without radiation.  Conversely, lumpectomy with radiation therapy has local recurrence rates that compare with mastectomy.  You might meet with a radiation oncologist to discuss specifics of radiation therapy.  Also, you might speak with other women who have made both choices.  

[skibabe]

I also had/have calcifications and had a biopsy/lumpectomy three years ago.  I have had these calcifications since my first mamo at 37.  I was 44 when the change in shape was discovered.  My biopsy showed DCIS so I had to have the lumpectomy.  I feel blessed in saying that nothing else was found and I have been okay since without further treatment.  Whatever was there was discovered and removed with the needle aspiration...big reason for yearly exams!!  FYI, did you know a lot of women have DCIS and don't know it?  A study was done around the time I was diagnosed.  Upon doing autopsies for an unrelated cause, they discovered 80% of the women had a long history of DCIS.  I don't know what that means for us, but you really can't decide anything until you have the results from your pathologist.  If you believe in holistic medicine, Rekki was also a big part of my "healing" and continues now to be a big part of me.  Good luck and think positivly no matter what the outcome.

[41]

Dear Jetjill,

I have breast cancer when I was 40 years old. (Last year)

I have lumpectomy and lymnodes removed...  all clear.
I have 2.3 cm breast cancer - carcinoma.  and estrogen positive...


I have six months of chemotheraphy. One month of radiation. And two year of tamoxifen...

I fell ok, however, I don't know for sure before 5 years after all the treatments...

However, from the statistic, my oncology told me after all these treament I will have a 90% chance of clear of cancers for 10 years.

I think your surgeon and oncology will decide what treatements you should have.  They depend on your age, health, and kind/size of your cancer... estrogen +- ???

Actaully, for me, radiation is not difficult at all campare to the chemo... however, it all also depend on your health...

Wish you well soon.
Debbie