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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