Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 12/17/2007

Question
QUESTION: diagnosis was dcis non-invasive a 4cm area in left breast only suggested by 2 surgeons that masectomy was best because of the large area of calcifications -is removal of sentinal node REALLY necessary all my research states non invasive has not gone to nodes i am terrified of lymphedema
please advise i feel i am already being over treated  with masectomy

ANSWER: I'm disturbed by their plans for a mastectomy if you have a biopsy result showing non invasive cancer! I think they should make a lumpectomy taking out the whole suspicious volume! The specimen can be checked by X-ray to see that all calcifications are included and then the pathologist can check the whole lump. If any larger tumor is found making a mastectomy necessary he/she can tell your surgeons and a mastectomy is done. Otherwise only the lumpectomy AND the sentinel node biopsy (to be on the safe side!) are done, and later radiation therapy to the operated breast (IMPORTANT)! That way no unnecessary mastectomy will be done and yet we do everything to be on the safe side! Ok?


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: also-do these surgeons want to do a masectomy because its easier and they make more money--or because i will look better anfter reconstruction i just want to look good after because i look good now--i am not afraid of these stupid non invasive cells -i could probably leave them there for 5 more years and wait for the new test they will have that will be able to determine wether they will ever become invasive-they might not!!

Answer
Well I can not completely rule out the money possibility, but the other alternative is also very much a possibility! I do NOT recommend you to wait because anything may happen during that time - they may become MORE malignant for example - so I think you SHOULD take care of it NOW! But of course the choice is yours in every way!