I did not do that but my mom had a lumpectomy only followed by radiation in 1999 and has been fine. The breast where they did the lumpectomy is odd shaped but when she is in a bra you cannot even tell it. She also did tamoxifin for 5 years after.

Oh, also, my sentinel node was clean as were 2 other nodes. The surgeon had clean margins with the second incision. I don’t know if all organizations have the availability of a frozen section pathology during surgery, but we do here at Mayo - so, something else to ask as my surgeon had immediate feedback from a pathologist while I was still in surgery - then he could make the decision to do the lumpectomy or proceed with a mastectomy.

I had Invasive Lobular Stage I/Grade I cancer in my left breast. It was found very early and I had a lumpectomy and radiation. I’m currently on Tamoxifen and doing well. I go for my second mammogram since surgery (July 2012) in april. I’m happy with the lumpectomy; I really wanted to keep surgery as minimal as possible. And, as I work and have care at Mayo Clinic, I’m confident my providers have the latest research at their fingertips and decisions are all evidenced based.

My mom has had stage 2 bc 12 years ago. She has had lumpectomy, chemo and radiation and she is doing just fine :)

I just had a lumpectomy and now have to have a mastectomy. I'm all for conserving what I've got but don't have a choice in the matter now. I'm happy that I get to keep my left breast and sad that I'm losing my right but I've made peace with it. I don't want to lose the feeling in my breasts by having a double mastectomy. Though there are options to help work around that, it just isn't for me. It's a tough choice and a personal one. I hope you get the answers you are looking for.