Pros/cons of mastectomy w/Stage IV diagnosis

[boomer999]

My Mom who is 67 was recently diagnosed w/Stage IV (mets to several areas of the bone) via Pet scan after + biopsy of lymph nodes. Her oncologist is now recommending a mastectomy (after 2 months on hormone therapy) of the right breast but indicates that the research is not conclusive on this course of treatment.  I would like to know the pros/cons of this option for my Mom as at this point I don't know if this is the best course of treatment.
Mom is currently on hormone therapy and doing/feeling well. Will a mastectomy extend my Mom's life? I assume this is not proven from the current research? What would surgery at this time w/stage IV provide my Mom ..more years? better chance of less mets to other organs/etc.?  I am worried about having her go through this surgery and for what benefit ..?Would much appreciate your advice


This discussion is related to mastectomy/stage iv diagnosis.

[SueYoung55]

Yes, yes and double yes! Double mastectomy!

Give your Mother a hug from me! Best wishes.

[japdip]

I'm going to ignore that nothing is proven with this type of treatment and approach this from a commom sense standpoint. I definitely would say "YES" .... since your Mother is obviously in fairly good health and doing well a mastectomy is not really such a big deal these days. Bone mets is the easiest to treat and control and gives the best chance for a longer survival rate than mets to other organs. I would be as aggressive as I could be in the hopes that this might help prevent or at least delay mets to other parts of the body. I personally know several Stage IV survivors of many years who have a very good quality of life. It just seems logical that one wouldn't choose to leave the primary cancer site in place ..... at least that's my take on it. Kindest regards to you both.