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Val Pfeiffer · 10-09-2006, 04:15 PM

Laura--
Did you have a lumpectomy? Did you have radiation? How large was your primary tumor at diagnosis? If your oncologist is pushing for it, then a mastectomy is probably warrented, however you may want to get a second opinion. I was stage 3 and had neo-adjuvant chemo as well (you can read my story if you're bored) and could have shrunk the tumor until it was gone and not had surgery I suppose. But I didn't want to take any chances. I have very small breasts (well, now that would be "breast" :-) and started with a large tumor, so a lumpectomy was out of the question.

If you have had no surgery, then with the way Her2 cells behave, there could still be cancer cells in there, but I suspect that at the fast rate that these cells grow, that you would know if they were in there by now.

Sounds like you are geographically close to me--UW Madison
has a decent cancer center if you are looking for a second opinion.

Ultimately, you need to listen to your gut. My husband and my surgeon friend thought I should have a double mastectomy right away, but I am young and didn't want to make that decision at the time. Your oncologist is probably trying to be conservative, but there isn't anything wrong with that. A family I grew up with had four girls, one died of BC, the other is a survivor, and the other two had their breast removed and reconstructed so they wouldn't have to worry about it. It is such a personal decision, but I tend to agree with the comment about having you around with one breast vs. not having you around!

Good luck with your decision :-)
Val

10-09-2006, 04:15 PM	#10
Val Pfeiffer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 159	Laura-- Did you have a lumpectomy? Did you have radiation? How large was your primary tumor at diagnosis? If your oncologist is pushing for it, then a mastectomy is probably warrented, however you may want to get a second opinion. I was stage 3 and had neo-adjuvant chemo as well (you can read my story if you're bored) and could have shrunk the tumor until it was gone and not had surgery I suppose. But I didn't want to take any chances. I have very small breasts (well, now that would be "breast" :-) and started with a large tumor, so a lumpectomy was out of the question. If you have had no surgery, then with the way Her2 cells behave, there could still be cancer cells in there, but I suspect that at the fast rate that these cells grow, that you would know if they were in there by now. Sounds like you are geographically close to me--UW Madison has a decent cancer center if you are looking for a second opinion. Ultimately, you need to listen to your gut. My husband and my surgeon friend thought I should have a double mastectomy right away, but I am young and didn't want to make that decision at the time. Your oncologist is probably trying to be conservative, but there isn't anything wrong with that. A family I grew up with had four girls, one died of BC, the other is a survivor, and the other two had their breast removed and reconstructed so they wouldn't have to worry about it. It is such a personal decision, but I tend to agree with the comment about having you around with one breast vs. not having you around! Good luck with your decision :-) Val __________________ BLOG: http://valleygirlvnp.blogspot.com/ Dx 11/04, Age 42, ER-/PR-, HER2+++ 3 months weekly Herceptin, Taxol. Carboplatin Significant tumor shrinkage Mastectomy 3/05; Stage 3b, 9 cm tumor, 5/8+ nodes 3 more months weekly Herceptin, Taxol. Carboplatin 7/05 30 radiation treatments, IMRT planning approach Started 1 year of Herceptin 9/05 9/06 Began quarterly triple doses Herceptin. Brain & breast MRIs semi annually. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 6/08 Right breast, intraductal carcinoma, high nuclear grade associated with comedo necrosis; extensive diffusely involved the entire biopy specimen. ER+, PR-, Her2 unknown at this point, 07/08 mastectomy.