mastectomy and pacemaker?

mastectomy

by Julros - 2021-05-04 00:15:43

I hope a plastic surgeon is involved to keep scarring to a minimum. Will you need radiation? I would think that would be difficult near a pacer. 

A proper multi-disciplinary approach is required

by crustyg - 2021-05-04 06:16:06

Hi: Sadly you aren't the first lady facing this problem but it's not insuperable.

You need to make sure that your breast team (?oncologist) is working very closely with your EP-team.  With luck they won't need to be told to do this, but it doesn't do any harm to say this and have at least one consultation/call where both teams are represented.

The breast problem takes precedence, and, if necessary, your EP-team can move your PM - to the other side, or to the abdomen - to make any treatments possible without risking damaging your PM.  But probably best not to spend too much time worrying about possible future problems at this stage.

Best wishes.

ditto crustyg

by Gemita - 2021-05-04 08:18:38

Hello Trajac71,

Firstly I am so sorry that you are potentially having to face this.  

Yes it is important that you get all specialities involved in your care “together” to discuss the best way forward.  In the UK they usually get together in a Multi-Disciplinary Team meeting to discuss a patient who has a complex medical problem requiring input from various medical teams. They will assess the size and spread of any potential tumour and how best to proceed, including moving your pacemaker perhaps to a safer location for any treatment you will need.  

Until you know what you are facing (the extent of your cancer), it is perhaps too early to worry about the detail which will be different in any event for each one of us, with or without a pacemaker.  Just try to stay well and positive while you wait and good luck for whatever lies ahead