"The choice between lumpectomy and mastectomy depends on location, size, and appearance."
(DEBORAH L. TOPPMEYER)
Q: How much time do I have to decide about treatment?
A: Waiting a couple of weeks after your diagnosis to decide what kind of surgery to have (and whether you want reconstruction, if that's an option) won't make a difference for the cancer's growth. It may be as much as six weeks after that before you're able to schedule the surgery. The key thing is not rush into any sort of treatment decision.
Q: What are some key decisions I'll have to make?
A: After a cancer diagnosis, the first question is what type of surgery will you have—a lumpectomy (with sentinel node biopsy) or a mastectomy. There is absolutely no difference in survival rates, but everything from the stage of your cancer to the size of your breast may figure into this decision. The next question for mastectomy candidates is: Do you want breast reconstruction, and if so do you want it immediately after the surgery or later on? You also may need to decide whether to have chemotherapy to kill any cancer cells that may have been left behind.
Q: What do the different stages of breast cancer mean for my treatment options?
A: There are four stages reflecting how advanced the tumor is. In stage I, the tumor is less than two centimeters across and the cancer hasn't spread to your lymph nodes. Stage II could involve a larger tumor with no lymph nodes or a small tumor with a few lymph nodes. Once the tumor has spread outside the breast and lymph nodes, it becomes stage IV. At stage II or III, we usually recommend chemo plus hormone therapy and Herceptin, if appropriate, and radiation if the patient has a lumpectomy or lymph nodes are involved. But your treatment options depend on more than the stage.
