HELP!!! Dr wants to postpone treatment of DCIS

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FarmWenchie
FarmWenchie Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
My cousin has been diagnosed with DCIS but that Dr said he isnt going to do anything for 3-6months. Is this normal accepted treatment of DCIS?
He says that nothing has formed yet so he want to wait (she had a mamagram, microcalcification were present and a biopsy was performed. Thus the DCIS was discovered)
I can understand waiting a few weeks for more tests or getting other opinions etc. But MONTHS? Doesnt this just give the DCIS the possibility of becoming invasive? Thanks

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  • hummingbyrd
    hummingbyrd Member Posts: 950 Member
    #2
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    Sounds a little unusual to me. I think I'd suggest your cousin get all her pathology reports and get a second opinion. Her doc may be perfectly correct, but having someone confirm his decision will make you both feel better.
    You might also want to suggest this site to your cousin. It's a great place to come for answers to questions, finding someone to talk to whose been there or just venting frustrations. It's a one stop shop for meeting all emotional needs!
    Anyway, you are a really good friend to your cousin and I wish her the best; welcome to the site.
    hummingbyrd
  • seeknpeace
    seeknpeace Member Posts: 259
    #3
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    Hi,

    I think what he is doing is highly unusual and possibly negligent. I would get a second opinion. There are several reasons, not the least of which is your state of mind having to wait. The biopsy exposes healthy tisse to cancer and while they have said that it is not a problem, they are beginning to give some credence to the theory that we are at risk after the biopsy.

    Please encourage her to get a second opinion. I too was lucky to have only DCIS, but, mine was high nuclear grade 3 comedo subtype, with a lot of necrosis, 2.5 cms. What that all means is that my cancer was very aggresive. Push her a little to get another opinion, ask around for a great doctor in the area dealing with bc. You can contact your local cancer offices for a recommendation too. While this is her sickness, she probably would be very grateful if you helped her find a second opinion doc. She is in the eye of the hurricane right now

    All my best to you and your cousin.

    Jan
  • nganga4
    nganga4 Member Posts: 17
    #4
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    There is a strong group of doctors who believe that treating DCIS by surveillance is the way to go. That means watching her like a hawk and being ready to intervene if the DCIS grows one gazillionth of a nanometer. It saves unnecessary treatment and has the effect of being aware of what's going on. Her doctor is probably in that tradition. His approach makes sense with DCIS but not with anything larger or more ominous.
  • MirLuke
    MirLuke Member Posts: 1
    #5
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    hummingbyrd said:

    Sounds a little unusual to me. I think I'd suggest your cousin get all her pathology reports and get a second opinion. Her doc may be perfectly correct, but having someone confirm his decision will make you both feel better.
    You might also want to suggest this site to your cousin. It's a great place to come for answers to questions, finding someone to talk to whose been there or just venting frustrations. It's a one stop shop for meeting all emotional needs!
    Anyway, you are a really good friend to your cousin and I wish her the best; welcome to the site.
    hummingbyrd

    I was diagnosed with Grade 0 DCIS in Nov of 2000 and had surgery in January... and then opted for radiation.. My surgeon said it might take 10 or 20 years but eventually it will turn to full blown breast cancer.. So why not take care of it before it even thinks about it.

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