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Mastectomy with Flap Reconstruction Questions about Mastectomy with Flap Reconstruction. |
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| 3/21/2012 | Lillie, I am reading your book, Stealing Second Base and have shed a few tears of joy and sadness hearing your story. You have given me hope. Recently diagnosed with DCIS, Stage 0 in left breast. Have had a re-excision and waiting for results. 99% sure I do not want radiation due to risks. Leaning towards mastectomy with reconstruction to aviod radiation. Is reconstruction better to have immediately or heal first? Any thoughts on deciding to to mastectomy instead of lumpectomy with radiation to avoid radiation? | ||
| Replied | JHU's Breast Center Reply | ||
| 3/21/2012 | Thanks for turning to us here @ Johns Hopkins. I still reread Stealing Second Base, and it's amazing how I am transported back to those days. Its interesting...for some women mastectomy is 'no big deal' and for others, it's a horrible thought to even consider. Most of us fall somewhere in the middle, after all we choose whatever will help us live to dance @ our grand childrens wedding!! A mastectomy is forever. A lumpectiomy with radiation, and in your case, (with re-excision, providing margins negative) compared to a mastectomy, does not change our over all survival. In other words, we will live just as long whether we choose mastectomy or choose lumpectomy with radiation. And sometimes we don't get to choose...the cancer decides for us. So with mastectomy, here @ JH, we normally do staged reconstruction, where at the time of mastectomy surgery, our breast plastic reconstructive surgeon places a tissue expander (a space holder). Then, several months later, when all treatment is complete, the permanent implant is inserted. Talk with your breast radiation onocologist regarding 'risk of radiation', as well as your breast reconstructive surgeon. If we can help, please call Sheila @ 443-287-BRST (2778) for an appointment. Best wishes! | ||
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