prophilactic mastectomy tests

MCS · 11-08-2006, 07:30 PM

Hi everyone,

What tests should I request of tissue on the prophilactic ( spell?)mastectomy?

Should I request nodes removed? tested for sentinel node? etc etc

Also how often should I request a pet ct, every 3 or six months?

And how about bone scan? 3 or 6 months?

It should be a simple one. I'm taking it out because frankly I'm scared of this moving over to the good side of town!

I've been reading here today regarding reconstruction. I had one done on the right breast already. I'm pretty small so it would not have really mattered I hvae been reading here today regarding reconstruction that chest wall problems will not be identified till too late ( in bone and lungs). I'm having an mri every 3 months. I read about women here with stage 1 and then few onths later with stage 4. Scary, very scary.

Just like the rest of us, what else can I do besides diet, vigilant in testing and taking this off. I still have ovaries and uterus but had an endometrial oblation several years ago which put me in menopause.

Thank you for your opinions,

XO

MCS ( maria)

tousled1 · 11-09-2006, 01:26 AM

Maria,

When I had my surgery I opted to have a bilateral. Surgeon did a modified radical on the right side (cancer side) and a simple mastectomy on the left. Even though the left breast was for prohilactic reasons they did a complete pathology on the breast -- breast tissue, nipple, etc. They also tookone node and checked it. Best of luck to you.

MCS · 11-09-2006, 10:14 AM

Thank you Kate.

I posted a separate post on the blood draws but what do they use for you? I'm assuming you have a port.

I have a port too but my testing facilities refuse to use it for anything other than herceptin, blood tests and muggas. they are very particular where I'm being treted.

If I decide to take port off, what will they use for pet cts etc? They can't use where they took the nodes, although they were not many for me. And if they take nodes away to test, that eliminates that side.

I heard that the foot is used but that is very painful. What else is new for su, right?!

thanks

MCS ( maria)

tousled1 · 11-09-2006, 01:02 PM

Maria,

I had 26 nodes removed from my right side so I can not have blood pressure, blood draws or needles of any sort in that arm. I had one node removed from my left side and that is where I have my blood pressure taken and receive shots. As for blood draws the oncology nurse uses the port. When I get my PET/CT scansmy port is not used - they use a vein in the left arm. When I had my surgery my port was used for the anesthesia but an oncology nurse had to access the port. My port is located in my left upper chest.