QuestionMy wife was recently diagnosed with Moderately differentiated infiltrating ductal carcinoma; she has a 4 cm. mass in her Rt. breast. The big question, at this point, seems to be whether to have a Lumpectomy with radiation, or opt for a Mastectomy. In your experience, which option seems to be the best choice?? Thanks
AnswerDear Alex, As you are aware, there are many options here.. The fact that this is infiltrating (invasive) means that the cancer has already spread outside the duct and whether or not a lumpectomy could get "CLEAN" borders (margins of skin around the tumor that are cancer free)... Also, you did not mention anything about the lymph nodes in the right armpit area and whether those were looked at either, but whether you choose lumpectomy or mastectomy, lymph nodes will have to be tested to see if any cancer has spread to them and if so, those will have to be removed and this would mean that the cancer is spreading beyond the breast....
With ANY treatment there is always the chance of recurrance of the cancer, and this is really going to have to be a choice that your wife makes AFTER she has talked to the surgeon and heard the procedure of both the lumpectomy and mastectomy and the pros and cons of both and the recurrance rates for the cancer....
If and/or when I am confronted with this choice, I will choose to have a mastectomy (I am not vain about my body) and I will choose to have radiation AND chemotherapy because I know that cancer cells travel through the blood stream and the lymphatic system and I want to do all I can to get rid of the cancer before it can spread to the lungs, brain and other body organs....
Before your wife has any surgery she and you MUST know what the prognosis is of both and which will STOP the cancer from reoccuring the best.... Sorry I can't be of more help, but since there are so many choices in treatment surgery wise etc, you need to get all your facts and then decide... There is NOT one that is more widely recommended than the other by surgeons...
thank you, karen
