Surgeon follow-up timeline?

[Elle53]

Hello,

I had a lumpectomy and a re-excision 1 1/2 years ago.  I also finished all my treatments for invasive ductal carcinoma 13 months ago. This included chemo and radiation. I am also on Tamoxifen. My question:  Is it necessary to continue to be followed by a surgeon if you see a medical oncologist once a year?  I also still have some tenderness in one area of my breast.  I saw the surgeon today and he said all looks well and he has no idea what is causing the tenderness.  Any ideas regarding that, too?  

Thank you.

[Twocapes]

Aren't health insurance companies wonderful!!!  My recent mammogram was rejected because the doctor's office coded it as "routine".  That's really the doc's office fault but trying to get it straightened out is awful.  There's nothing "routine" about a mammogram when you've had breast cancer.  Hope you find a surgeon on your plan that you feel comfortable with.

[Elle53]

Twocapes ~ Thanks for the post.

The problem is that I saw the surgeon for my 1 1/2 post-lumpectomy (6-month check).  He doesn't know what is causing the tenderness and said wait 'til my mammo is due in three months to further investigate.  Also, he said he wanted to see me again in 6 months, but I can't go because his receptionist told me that they just stoppped taking my insurance.

I'm so upset....

[Twocapes]

I also have been experiencing pain and my situation is similar to yours.  I had a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and then radiation from February, 2004 and finished in July, 2004.  My breast surgeon, radiation oncologist, and medical oncologist all said it was due to radiation changes.  I've had follow-up mammograms and also an MRI and all were normal. For peace of mind, I would make an appointment starting with the surgeon.   I did recently need a biopsy on the other breast which was quite anxiety provoking, but turned out to be a benign fibroadenoma.  As far as time frame is involved, I am seeing both the surgeon and medical oncologist every six months at this time.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear elle53:  It is quite common to have follow-up with your surgeon for a period of time after surgery.  This is usually at the discretion of the surgeon and the patient.  Different institutions have different protocols in terms of follow-up after breast cancer treatment.  The medical oncologist will likely be the person with whom you will have long-term follow-up, although in many Breast Centers, the surgeon will also see the patient once or twice a year.  Tenderness could be due to several things, but we really cannot advise you on this when we haven't seen or examined you.  As the tenderness is causing you concern, you might consider getting a second opinion from a major cancer center in your area.  If you are relucant to do that, and if the problem continues, you should return to your surgeon and discuss the situation with him further.