Surgery

I first met my surgeon on the 12th February , 2013. After looking at my mammogram results he sent me for a needle biopsy to confirm breast cancer. I was so nervous about having that because I had heard that they are quite painful, but it wasn't as bad as I expected, the doctor I had for the biopsy was lovely, gentle and caring. I made sure I looked away from the needles, the worse part was probably the bang sound when the tissue entered the needle and then waiting a week for the results. 
On the 19th February 2013, My surgeon confirmed that my lump was cancer.He sent me for a bone scan and ct scan the next day, luckily for me they were clear.
He gave me the option of a partial mastectomy or total mastectomy. He explained in detail the processes of each. 
Option 1 - Partial Mastectomy + Mammoplasty(breast implant). My tumour and surrounding tissue would be removed and tested , along with 3 lymph nodes. The surgery is quick, I would only stay one night in hospital and I would keep my breast. Chance of recurrence is 10% over 10 years or 1% each year for 10 years.  I would have a 20% chance of needing a second operation , if my lymph nodes were not clear and/or if the surrounding tissue was not free from cancer. I would have radiation afterwards.

Option 2 - Total Mastectomy. I would have my breast removed, there would be no need for a second operation and I wouldn't need radiotherapy unless cancer was larger than 4cm . The surgery is longer and I would stay 2 nights in hospital. Chance of recurrence is 5% over 10 years.

A double/ bilateral mastectomy was not an option at the time, when I asked about it, my surgeon told me he wouldn't do it because he didn't think it was neccessary.
 With the advice of my surgeon I opted for the partial mastectomy . I just had to hope that I had found the cancer early enough and it hadn't yet spread.

 I had my surgery on 27th February 2013. Before surgery I had to have a scan to mark my lymph nodes, then I had to have a wire placed through my breast and into my lump. Unfortunately, the doctor struggled to get the wire in the correct position and had to have several attempts before calling someone else to do it.







What is a Breast Hookwire Localisation?
 When the cancer is to be surgically removed, it is necessary to place a fine wire, called a hookwire, in the breast with its tip at the site of the abnormality. This acts as a marker during surgery and enables the surgeon to remove the correct area of breast tissue. The hookwire is inserted to guide the removal of both benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) abnormalities. Mammography, ultrasound or MRI scans are used by a radiologist (specialist medical doctor) to place the hookwire into the correct position. The wire is called a hookwire because there is a tiny hook at the end, which keeps it in position. Breast Hookwire Localisation is done using local anaesthetic to numb the breast in the area where the hookwire is to be inserted. 

SENTINEL LYMPH NODE BIOPSY Sentinel lymph node biopsy is performed to better understand how extensive your breast cancer is. The biopsy or removal of the lymph node gland (s) is done to check if cancer cells have spread into the lymph node.  Lymph nodes are small, bean shaped nodules.  The lymph node must be located so that it can be removed. The lymph node is located with the help of both a blue dye and weak radioactive tracer injections directly into the breast. The injection of radioactive tracer is called lymphoscintigraphy. It is performed in the Breast Imaging suite or in the Nuclear Medicine area by a radiologist prior to your operation. Local anesthetic is also used so the procedure is less uncomfortable. You can expect a small, short-lived stinging sensation.

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