Ductal Carcenoma question- new to forum

Welcome to our little corner of CSN, Debbie

There is much controversy among medical professionals and researchers over the issue of whether or not to call ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) cancer.

Some doctors call DCIS "stage 0 cancer," some call it "pre-cancer," and some say flat-out that it is not cancer, because by definition "in situ" means that it's not invasive.

I had invasive cancers in both breasts, and am on Tamoxifen for 10 years, so I'll continue to see my oncologist every 3 months for probably the rest of my life.  I don't know whether or not women who've had lumpectomies for DCIS only typically continue to see an oncologist, so I'll let other women here weigh in on that issue.

Hope that helps a little?

Traci

Three years ago was an eternity ago! Doctors know so much more now. Ductal carcinoma in situ DCIS and lobular carcinoma in situ LCIS are cancer that is contained in the place it started. It has not spread yet and become invasive ductal carcinoma IDC or invasive lobular carcinoma ILC. LCIS is more worrisome than DCIS according to my oncologist. I had both.

Since I was just diagnosed at a major medical center 3 months ago, I know that doctors are no longer saying it is not cancer. It is - it just hasn't spread yet fortunately. Sometimes it is low grade, slow growing, or doesn't ever spread. Doctors didn't used to do sentinal node biopsies on lymph nodes because it was felt a few years ago that DCIS and LCIS wouldn't be in lymph nodes if it hadn't spread beyond the ducts or lobules. Now they know it can be in the nodes so most doctors are doing sentinal node biopsies.

They can predict a lot by the grade of the DCIS and LCIS. My LCIS was grade 3. My DCIS was an agressive sort and had completely filled the duct, comedo necrosis, and gone into the supporting cell structure of the duct. It's possible both could have stopped growing and stayed where they were. I wasn't willing to take that chance and had a double mastectomy. Many women choose lumpectomy. 

In 2013, DCIS treated with lumpectomy is followed by radiation 5 times a week for 7 weeks & 5 years of hormone therapy. (But not usually after a mastectomy.) DCIS and LCIS patients see an oncologist every 6 months.  

You should definitely get a diagnostic mammogram and see a breast surgeon for a current assessment. Hopefully, your DCIS was removed in your lumpectomy. 

jim and i said:

Thanks Traci that does help.

Thanks Traci that does help. I was sppose to take the Tamoxifen for 5 years but only took it for 1 year. I am suppose to see an oncologist every six months so that is what confused me on the is it or not cancer issue. When you don't have inxurance it is hard to justify paying specialist prices when not necessary.

Hi and welcome 

please sign up for insurance for the next year. There should be no pre-existing conditions under the new law. Depending on your location several state exchanges have been functioning very well. I live in California it seems to be working Ok Under Obama Care you will be eligible to subsidy and will be able to afford doctor,s visits and generic Tamoxifen. Prices for this medication came down significantly .

in my opinion you need to be followed by oncologist and have your annual mammogram without delays.

hugs

24242 said:

Doctors

I truly stopped all cancer care after a few year period because they believe you are cured.

If I didn't continually have pain issues I wouldn't have been going back having to rely on GP.

With doctors increasingly hard to find due to shortages just getting to see a doctor is a good thing...

Tara

Sandra I am wonderng if you have it mixed up. I was told DCIS  is cancer, although it is 50/50 whether it would become invasive. LCIS is a marker of increased risk and not considered cancer.