Hello all. Im new to the board. I have been reading and soaking up all the information I can. I had a routine mammogram on April 9 which showed some suspicious calcs. There were only 3. I work at the Imaging Center where I had this done so am very familiar with the radiologists there. I was told I could watch this area or biopsy if "I was worried". Well I opted for the biopsy. The area was so small that when I had my biopsy the radiologist who did it (different radiologist) told me that I would pose a challenge as the calcs were SO small and there were only three. I almost chickened out on the biopsy. I asked him if he felt that I even needed it. He told me that I could probably just use the wait and see approach but it was totally up to me. I opted to go ahead with the biopsy. I am so glad I did. I got the path report this last Monday. Just as I was leaving work, the nurse asked me to come back and talk to the radiologist. I knew it was not good.
I was told that I have ductal carcinoma in situ - intermediate grade with cribiform and comedo formation. Also there was found to be Lobular Carcinoma In Situ. I was in shock as were about all of the radiologists that I work with. They could not believe that the biopsy came back positive based upon the mammogram that I had with such a small benign appearing area.
I have opted for bilateral masectomy with reconstruction. I have already seen the surgeon and the plastic surgeon. I see my new oncologist on Monday and have my pre-op scheduled for Tuesday. I am to have surgery on Thursday May 1.
I have had tons of support from the people that I work with. They are the best. Some family have not been so supportive of my decision to have mastectomy. My decision was based upon the fact the even if I had done lumpectomy and radiation the fact that I also was found to have LCIS raised my chances for an invasive cancer down the line quite a bit. I have researched and researched. Before my cancer diagnosis, I wanted to have a breast reduction. I really have no attachment to my breasts especially if it means not having to worry about having this diagnosis again. I feel that this is the best decision for myself and my family. I have three children 6, 14 and 18.
Has anyone else been diagnosed with more than one type of cancer on biopsy such as DCIS and LCIS and what was your treatment decision? I am thankful that I will not have to have radiation since I am going with the bilateral mastectomy.
Sorry for such a long post. I have so many questions and I am sooo thankful to have found this board.
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LUVmy2girlZ… Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 1799 |
Apr 25, 2008 10:23 pm
LUVmy2girlZ wrote:
Carlynn~ Sorry you had to join us but glad you found us...You sound like you have already made those decisions, you will find everyone is so different and different approaches of treatments. Yes, I have read that you can have both DCIS and LCIS at the same time. I myself was looking at a bilateral and the surgeon looked at me as if I had two heads! Why on earth would I want to take my "healthy breast" I guess panic set in and I too weren't attached to my breast yet there are others who are...everyone is different. I only had DCIS yet, muti-centric which means I had a lot of it...so I had to have a mastectomy, which I would have wanted as I wanted to "avoid" radiation...then ONE positive margin brought me to 7 weeks ( 35 rounds ) of rads anyway on a mastectomy no less. Even though there are similar dx one never knows the outcome. I am having a reduction and lift on opp. side I hear that reduces BC by 60 % as well. I look at it this way, once a cancer patient we are now closely monitored more than any other person walking this earth. Its good that you listened to your instincts! Always go with the gut. I have found these message boards do really help...yet very active so your thread can easily get "bumped" further down...just keep posting and more will come along! Much LUV and Blessings, Laughter, is the shock absorber that eases the blows of life....
Dx 11/19/2007, DCIS, 5cm, Stage 0, Grade 3, 0/3 nodes, ER-/PR- |
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3girls4me Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 123 |
Apr 26, 2008 12:13 am
3girls4me wrote:
Hello! I'm sorry you had to join us here, but I hope you find the support and answers that I have through my journey with BC with these amazing women! It is great to have a place to go with questions! My DCIS was found "accidentally" (did not show on mammogram), I had a lump that was benign, and when they biopsied it, they found DCIS around the benign lump. I had 2 lumpectomies, and in that pathology they also found LCIS, but my surgeon didn't even bring that up, I read it on the report! He was more concerned about the DCIS and getting it out. I think if you "just have LCIS", it's not a big deal, just a marker and they wouldn't try to get it out. So in your case, as mine, since I had both, the DCIS was more important. Ultimately, I decided on bilateral with reconstruction. Yes, I got funny looks and responses about doing them both too, but after my surgery, I got a call from my surgeon saying I did the right thing because I had ADH which was "approaching DCIS" in the good breast too! I'm grateful that I went with my gut feeling. Make sure you post at the Reconstruction board too, that will really help you through your reconstruction process! You'll do just fine! DX 6/12/07 Stage 0, Grade 1 & 2, 0/0 nodes, Bilat Mast w/recon 9/12/07
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lovelife Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 43 |
Apr 26, 2008 12:24 am
lovelife wrote:
Carlynn, I only had DCIS, stage 0 and only in the left breast. First mammo at the age of 42 and they found microcalcifications. I chose to have a bilat mast. My surgeon said that doing a lumpectomy and radiation would be sufficient. Nope, not for me. I didn't want radiation and I didn't want to have to go through this again. That was my gut feeling and I have no regrets. I was never particularly attached to my boobs, but there are times now that I miss them. I have days every now and then, but I know that I made the right decision for me. You will make the right decision for you! Stephanie Dx 2/21/2008, DCIS, <1cm, Stage 0, / nodes, ER+/PR- |
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thetrumumsh… Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 20 |
Apr 26, 2008 04:39 am
thetrumumshow wrote:
Hi there, I'm in London, England. I was diagnosed with LCIS in January 2006 and had a WLE. However in February of this year I was diagnosed with DCIS, Sclerosing Adenosis, Radial Scar and atypical columnar changes!! My Surgeon is recommending Mastectomy and sent me for a 2nd opinion where they recommended an MRI to make sure it is only DCIS and not Invasive Disease and also to see whether there is any DCIS in the other breast too. If there is it will mean bilateral mastectomies, if not just the one. But then I suppose if there's any evidence of invasive disease that will shed a different light on things too. Interestingly, he also said that DCIS IS Breast Cancer when my Consultant at the Royal Marsden refers to it as pre-cancerous cells. Trudie
Dx 3/11/2008, DCIS, <1cm, Stage 0, Grade 1, 0/0 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+ |
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louishenry Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 206 |
Apr 26, 2008 09:37 am
louishenry wrote:
Trudie, It's the same in the U.S.. I'd say in my experience, about half of the docs call dcis a pre-cancer, the other half call it pre-invasive cancer. I wish they would all be on the same page. Either way, pure dcis is not life threatening. I wish you the best. Usually, invasive disease is not found. Nada Dcis May 2007, 4mm, low to intermediate grade, no rads er / pr +. Tamoxifen September 2007
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rrmta Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 6 |
Apr 29, 2008 07:50 pm, edited Apr 29, 2008 07:51 PM
by rrmta
rrmta wrote:
Hi Carylnn, Your story sounds so much like mine. I too had some calcs show up on a mammogram on my left side and I had a biopsy in September 2007. The results came back DCIS. I opted for a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. When the lab reports came back after my surgery, they found invasive lobular cancer as well in the same breast --- thank goodness my lymph nodes were clear For me, the treatment I selected was the right one. I did have some problems healing after nt surgery though and had to have the implants removed a few weeks later. I am having them put in again on June 19th! I am nervous, but I am very hopeful that all will go smoothly this time. God bless you and I think you made all the right decisions. Take care and let us know how you make out. Robin RSG
Dx 10/10/2007, DCIS, ILC<1cm, Stage 0, Grade 3, 0/3 nodes, ER-/PR- |
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