DCIS - Non Invasive
I love reading everyone's posts about different topics. I think this is a great site with a world of information. I would like to compare stories with someone who has the same dx as me. I had DCIS - non invasive cancer in both breasts with a bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. Doctor says no further treatment is needed (which is wonderful - I hope). Please write back if you can relate and let's compare treatments. I need peace of mind.
Tracy
Comments
-
I'm the girl you need.....
Tracy, Sounds like you and I are in the same boat!
DCIS-non invasive in both - had the bilateral mast and the reconstruction. I had the implants put in in May and never had chemo or radiation.....
There's also a woman who I work with who had the same diagnoses (she was 2 weeks behind mine), but she didn't go for the reconstruction.
Jill0 -
compare
I had DCIS in one breast, lumpectomy and radiation. Not exactly the same.
Maureen0 -
Tracy,EveningStar2 said:compare
I had DCIS in one breast, lumpectomy and radiation. Not exactly the same.
Maureen
I had DCIS in one
Tracy,
I had DCIS in one breast (after having had a lumpectomy and radiation nine years earlier for invasive cancer in the same breast). I had a bilateral mastectomy and immediate DIEP reconstruction. Since it's DCIS, there should be no cause for concern that it has spread or that you need additional treatments. I assume that your surgeon had a full path report done on the tissue in both breasts and there was only DCIS. This should be very comforting, and is very good news.
Joyce0 -
Peace of Mind
There are many kinds of doctors in this world. Surgeons know about surgery, oncologists know about cancer medicines, both preventative and treatment sorts. When you say that your doctor says that no further treatment is needed, I would believe him IF he or she is an oncologist that specializes in breast cancer treatment. If they are a surgeon or a primary care physician however, I would get a second opinion just to be sure from a breast cancer oncologist at the best teaching hospital or breast clinic you can get to. Sometimes, when getting to one is difficult, you can just send your reports, shots of your pathology slides, and any other data that has been collected to a center that specializes in breast cancer to get their opinion. Getting second opinions is commonly done. It helps patients (and doctors) know they have done all that can be done. If you want a second opinion so you are sure, get one from the best breast oncologist you can get to. Good luck!
C. Abbott0 -
T2
Tracy
I too have been diagnosed with DCIS non invasive in the right breast only . I did get a second opinion with a surgeon that specializes in breast surgery and it made the world of difference to me...with my first surgeon the one that did my lumpectomy I didnt feel she was able to explain things in a way I could understand, going to a breast cancer center I just felt more informed about what would happen next. Because of the location of the DCIS was very close to the skin surface they were only able to get a margin of 1mm and to get another lumpectomy I will lose the nipple so I am opting for a mastectomy, I meet with my plastic surgeon Sept 1 to discuss the reconstruction options.
This board has been a wonderful place to come for advice and understanding, it really helps to stay positive and know we are all survivors!!
Please keep us posted on your journey
Tracey 20 -
Mine was invasive, but, Itraceyt said:T2
Tracy
I too have been diagnosed with DCIS non invasive in the right breast only . I did get a second opinion with a surgeon that specializes in breast surgery and it made the world of difference to me...with my first surgeon the one that did my lumpectomy I didnt feel she was able to explain things in a way I could understand, going to a breast cancer center I just felt more informed about what would happen next. Because of the location of the DCIS was very close to the skin surface they were only able to get a margin of 1mm and to get another lumpectomy I will lose the nipple so I am opting for a mastectomy, I meet with my plastic surgeon Sept 1 to discuss the reconstruction options.
This board has been a wonderful place to come for advice and understanding, it really helps to stay positive and know we are all survivors!!
Please keep us posted on your journey
Tracey 2
Mine was invasive, but, I wish you the best of luck!
Keep us updated!
♠♣ Susie ♠♣0 -
DCIS - Extensive High Grade Intraductal Carcinomatraceyt said:T2
Tracy
I too have been diagnosed with DCIS non invasive in the right breast only . I did get a second opinion with a surgeon that specializes in breast surgery and it made the world of difference to me...with my first surgeon the one that did my lumpectomy I didnt feel she was able to explain things in a way I could understand, going to a breast cancer center I just felt more informed about what would happen next. Because of the location of the DCIS was very close to the skin surface they were only able to get a margin of 1mm and to get another lumpectomy I will lose the nipple so I am opting for a mastectomy, I meet with my plastic surgeon Sept 1 to discuss the reconstruction options.
This board has been a wonderful place to come for advice and understanding, it really helps to stay positive and know we are all survivors!!
Please keep us posted on your journey
Tracey 2
Diagnosis .. came in on Friday, 8/14/09. SCARED out of my mind. Her2 test positive.
I feel I may need a 2nd opionion regarding my options.
size .. 3.0 x 2.4 x 2.0 cm
Vicki0 -
I didn't have DCIS, I hadVickiSam said:DCIS - Extensive High Grade Intraductal Carcinoma
Diagnosis .. came in on Friday, 8/14/09. SCARED out of my mind. Her2 test positive.
I feel I may need a 2nd opionion regarding my options.
size .. 3.0 x 2.4 x 2.0 cm
Vicki
I didn't have DCIS, I had ICIS. Just wanted to welcome you and wish you good luck. Hopefully, someone will post that had a similiar diagnosis.0 -
Hey Tracey 2,traceyt said:T2
Tracy
I too have been diagnosed with DCIS non invasive in the right breast only . I did get a second opinion with a surgeon that specializes in breast surgery and it made the world of difference to me...with my first surgeon the one that did my lumpectomy I didnt feel she was able to explain things in a way I could understand, going to a breast cancer center I just felt more informed about what would happen next. Because of the location of the DCIS was very close to the skin surface they were only able to get a margin of 1mm and to get another lumpectomy I will lose the nipple so I am opting for a mastectomy, I meet with my plastic surgeon Sept 1 to discuss the reconstruction options.
This board has been a wonderful place to come for advice and understanding, it really helps to stay positive and know we are all survivors!!
Please keep us posted on your journey
Tracey 2
Our story
Hey Tracey 2,
Our story sounds very similar. After my lumpectomy, I also had a 1 mm margin which eventually led to my mastectomy. Docs only found DCIS in my left breast although numerous tests were done on both. I had micro-calcifications in my right breast also but none looked suspicious. I was given alot of info on my chances of later getting bc in the right breast, along with considering the treatments I would have to have. This is why I decided to go ahead with the bilateral mastectomy w/ tram flap reconstruction. Much to everyone's surprise, after my surgery and pathology results, I did have DCIS in both breasts. Docs said that it doesn't always show up on scans which proved to be true in my case. So I am very thankful for my decision - now on to an oncologist. My only concern now is that I am ER and PR positive. We'll see what the onc says about that.
I wish you the best with your surgery. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers. (By the way, I'm very pleased with my reconstruction results.)
Tracy0 -
Thanks for your replyjikaras said:I'm the girl you need.....
Tracy, Sounds like you and I are in the same boat!
DCIS-non invasive in both - had the bilateral mast and the reconstruction. I had the implants put in in May and never had chemo or radiation.....
There's also a woman who I work with who had the same diagnoses (she was 2 weeks behind mine), but she didn't go for the reconstruction.
Jill
Thanks for your reply Jill
Did your doctor say anything about hormone treatment. Mine did not. He said I would not need Tamoxifen because I had bilateral mast. BUT, I am ER and PR positive so I don't understand why he says my treatment is done. He even said I did not need an oncologist but I tend to disagree. I am making an appt. on my own because I think I need to be followed up with sooner than just once a year. My surgeon is a surgical oncologist but I think a medical oncologist should decide if any treatment is necessary. What about you? Do you see an oncologist?
Tracy0 -
Someone correct me...mrsziggy said:Hey Tracey 2,
Our story
Hey Tracey 2,
Our story sounds very similar. After my lumpectomy, I also had a 1 mm margin which eventually led to my mastectomy. Docs only found DCIS in my left breast although numerous tests were done on both. I had micro-calcifications in my right breast also but none looked suspicious. I was given alot of info on my chances of later getting bc in the right breast, along with considering the treatments I would have to have. This is why I decided to go ahead with the bilateral mastectomy w/ tram flap reconstruction. Much to everyone's surprise, after my surgery and pathology results, I did have DCIS in both breasts. Docs said that it doesn't always show up on scans which proved to be true in my case. So I am very thankful for my decision - now on to an oncologist. My only concern now is that I am ER and PR positive. We'll see what the onc says about that.
I wish you the best with your surgery. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers. (By the way, I'm very pleased with my reconstruction results.)
Tracy
if I am wrong because I am still learning about all this stuff. ER/PR positive isnt a bad thing. It means you would respond to hormone thearapy lowering your estrogen levels so the cancer cells can't feed off of it so to speak...I could be way off base but this is my understanding. Not sure you would need the tamox since your cancer was not invasive and you had the mastectomy...maybe someone with more knowledge can comment here?
As far as the DCIS I was told the same thing it doesnt always show up on tests because it is not invasive that is what led me to the second opinion and has me leaning toward the bi-lateral.
Thanks for sharing this board helps me so much to answer questions and just plain cope with the rollercoaster of emotions!
T20 -
DCIS noninvasivetraceyt said:Someone correct me...
if I am wrong because I am still learning about all this stuff. ER/PR positive isnt a bad thing. It means you would respond to hormone thearapy lowering your estrogen levels so the cancer cells can't feed off of it so to speak...I could be way off base but this is my understanding. Not sure you would need the tamox since your cancer was not invasive and you had the mastectomy...maybe someone with more knowledge can comment here?
As far as the DCIS I was told the same thing it doesnt always show up on tests because it is not invasive that is what led me to the second opinion and has me leaning toward the bi-lateral.
Thanks for sharing this board helps me so much to answer questions and just plain cope with the rollercoaster of emotions!
T2
That's what got me started on this journey. I had a history of abnormal biopsies prior to the actual diagnosis and was on Tamoxifen for nearly 3 years before diagnosed. Surgeon recommended mastectomy... I went for the bilat. Even with the mast my margins were too close and I also had radiation. Drs recommend I stop the tamoxifen as it obviously didn't give me the desired outcome. I had immediate start to reconstruction with expanders put in at time of surgery. The expanders held up fine through the radiation. I've got the implants but needing a do over from some complications. I have no regrets about any of my decisions thus far. If you have ANY doubts, get the 2nd opinion. Hopefully peace of mind will come.
dawn0 -
Tamoxifen is recommended iftraceyt said:Someone correct me...
if I am wrong because I am still learning about all this stuff. ER/PR positive isnt a bad thing. It means you would respond to hormone thearapy lowering your estrogen levels so the cancer cells can't feed off of it so to speak...I could be way off base but this is my understanding. Not sure you would need the tamox since your cancer was not invasive and you had the mastectomy...maybe someone with more knowledge can comment here?
As far as the DCIS I was told the same thing it doesnt always show up on tests because it is not invasive that is what led me to the second opinion and has me leaning toward the bi-lateral.
Thanks for sharing this board helps me so much to answer questions and just plain cope with the rollercoaster of emotions!
T2
Tamoxifen is recommended if you are ER and PR positive usually. And, even with a mastectomy, you still have breast tissue. They can't remove all of it.
Lex♥0 -
Hormone Treatmentmrsziggy said:Thanks for your reply
Thanks for your reply Jill
Did your doctor say anything about hormone treatment. Mine did not. He said I would not need Tamoxifen because I had bilateral mast. BUT, I am ER and PR positive so I don't understand why he says my treatment is done. He even said I did not need an oncologist but I tend to disagree. I am making an appt. on my own because I think I need to be followed up with sooner than just once a year. My surgeon is a surgical oncologist but I think a medical oncologist should decide if any treatment is necessary. What about you? Do you see an oncologist?
Tracy
Nothing was ever said about hormone treatment. When they did the surgery, I had the sentinel-node biopsy, and the dye stayed in the nodes, so nothing spread. I didn't go to an oncologist because of that.....
Jill0 -
Hi Tracy,
I have a very
Hi Tracy,
I have a very similar diagnosis as you. Originally diagnosed with DCIS no invasion but after review at UNC the pathologist re-reviewd the slides and found that I had some micro-invasion. I had been leaning towards bilateral mastectomy because I am an oncology nurse and just didnt want to have to worry about this coming back. I also have multiple sclerosis so the radiation therapy would have been difficult for my in that regard. Anyway... my lymph nodes were negative so no chemo but there was the question of Tamoxifen. The oncologist that I worked for didnt feel that the benefit was enough for me to take it. I am 39. Here is a excerpt from the Mayo clinic, I cut and pasted the article if you want to read the whole thing. You have to do what gives you piece of mind! It can't hurt to talk to an Oncologist that is for sure!
I am going to have my expanders taken out tomorrow morning and implants put in. It sure is a long journey! I wish you well.
Debbie
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dcis/DS00983/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
Tamoxifen
The drug tamoxifen (Nolvadex) blocks the action of estrogen — a hormone that fuels breast cancer and promotes tumor growth — to reduce your risk of developing invasive breast cancer. Tamoxifen is effective only against cancers that grow in response to hormones (hormone receptor positive cancers).
Tamoxifen isn't a treatment for DCIS in and of itself, but it can be considered as additional (adjuvant) therapy after surgery or radiation in an attempt to decrease your chance of developing a recurrence of DCIS or invasive breast cancer in either breast in the future. If you choose to have a mastectomy, there's less reason to use tamoxifen. With a mastectomy, the risk of invasive breast cancer or recurrent DCIS in the small amount of remaining breast tissue is very small. Any potential benefit from tamoxifen would apply only to the opposite breast. Discuss the pros and cons of tamoxifen with your doctor0
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