Conversations With Your Doctor
We may recommend a mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy(plus radiation) if:
- You have two or more tumors in separate areas of the breast.
- You have widespread or malignant-appearing calcium deposits (microcalcifications) throughout the breast
that have been determined to be cancer after a breast biopsy.
- You’ve previously had radiation treatment to the breast region and the breast cancer has recurred in the breast.
- You’re pregnant and radiation creates an unacceptable risk to your unborn child.
- You’ve had a lumpectomy, but cancer is still present at the edges (margin) of the operated area and there is concern about cancer extending to elsewhere in the breast.
- You carry a gene mutation that gives you a high risk of developing a second cancer in your breast.
- You have a large tumor relative to the overall size of your breast. You may not have enough healthy tissue left after a lumpectomy to achieve an acceptable cosmetic result.
- You have a connective tissue disease, such as scleroderma or lupus, and may not tolerate the side effects of radiation to the skin.
You might also consider a mastectomy if you don’t have breast cancer, but have a very high risk of developing the disease. A preventive (prophylactic) or risk-reducing mastectomy involves removing both of your breasts and significantly reduces your risk of developing breast cancer in the future.
A prophylactic mastectomy is reserved for those with a very high risk of breast cancer, which is determined by a strong family history of breast cancer or the presence of certain genetic mutations that increase the risk of breast cancer. Click here for more information regarding mastectomies.