Micro-invasive DCIS that is her2+++

Heartdesireslife,

If you will not receive systemic therapy, what kind of screening will you have on a go-forward basis? Are your breasts dense? Mammograms are notoriously poor screening tools for dense breasts. MRIs are more effective.

BCwithBC45 do you mind revealing your insurance carrier? I have had yearly MRIs since 2008 and I'm scared of changing carriers at work since my current carrier has always covered. Perhaps it's because I definitely had an invasive component - although small at 3 mm.

Dear Stephincanada,

Going forward nothing other than monthly self palpation check, about 2 weeks following the start of my period and once a year or twice a year physician palpation check of the underarms and chest area. So no mammogram, ultrasound, or MRIs or labwork checking for cancer markers unless new symptoms/changes.

Another writer had written in about seeing their breast surgeon twice a year and seeing their oncologist twice a year, separated by 3 months...so every 3 months there is an exam by breast surgeon or oncologist. That schedule makes sense to me. So I'm going to try that but instead of breast surgeon, my thinking is with an OB/gyn.

BBwithBC45, I would think insurance would approve at least the initial MRI but if even the initial MRI was denied, then a mammo + ultrasound may work for the dense breast for the extra assurance. Ultrasound is much cheaper than MRI with contrast, so I think there will be higher chance of insurance approving it.

Lara0729...getting that 2nd pathology review sounds like the right thing to do and I got 3 different oncology opinions about chemo, so maybe at least a 2nd medical oncology opinion would be good for you despite everything else you need to juggle in your life. Also I learned the hard way, it is profoundly advisable to seek the experts from larger institutions rather than smaller near home facilities despite the convenience. Wishing you the best on this rocky journey!

Hi, i know this is an old post but was hoping for a little more info. Diagnosed with dcis grade 3 er+pr-her2 positive .5mm microinvasion. Age 45. Lumpectomy Oncologist is taking to tumor board regarding treatment. Based on what i read here same diagnosis and if i interpret this correctly no treatment?

just wondering if this discussion is still active

Mine was 3mm, much larger than yours, but my DCIS was 10cm. You can ask about herceptin alone, but it is quite expensive, and your insurance might not approve it.

Based on HER+ status. If it had been hormone positive and HER negative, it would have been pills, Onco said that there is no other choice. Given how nasty HER+ is, a ten percent chance of recurrence is not worth the gamble. It is early, but I wish we would have gotten it earlier, in just DCIS grade three, stage 0. Then just mastectomy would have worked.

I am doctoring with the Mayo organization, so I don't think a second opinion is necessary. They do a lot of teamwork, presenting and discarding and deciding for each individual as an individual.

Just begun. Not too much to report yet.

Thanks Tresjoli2, seems like we are homies ) i know her2 is nothing to mess up with but i was so hoping i could avoid chemo! How was taxol for you? Any long term side effects so far

Hi-just wanted to post an update. I was seen at Mass General and Dana Farber this week and both oncologists said they will not treat me with chemo and/or herceptin for such tiny tumor because they believe that the risks outweigh the benefits.

I trust both hodpitals and in my opinion DF is one of the best cancer centers, but I keep reading about others with similar diagnosis who had Taxol and Herceptin and I am freaking out that I am not doing enough. Dana Farber told me my risk of distant reoccurrence is ~1-2% and I should worry to put a seat belt and sunscreen and try to live my best life without letting this tiny HER2 consume me.

I aksed why some patients are given chemo and some not and was told that chemo is person specific and they cannot discuss others treatment but maybe it was people with more focis for example. Needless to say, i am unease because i found numerous women with 1-2focis less than 1mm who had Treatment.

I am considering going for a third opinion. Do you think a smaller local hospital will be more likely to give me at least herceptin? I cant help but worry what if it comes back and i didnt do anything (besides mastectomy). That thought doesnt give me peace...

my tumor was 6 mm invasive and 1,5 cm dcis. Is 6 mm microinvasive ?

Hi everyone,

I am not sure if I should post on this board but I just been diagnosed 2nd time of DCIS and this time is on the right breast and the biopsy pathology report said "suspicious for lymphovascular invasion".

3 years ago I was on this board overwhelmed by the disgnois of extensive DCIS on my left breast and had a mastectomy followed by 3 years of tamoxifen. At that time I also underwent right side lumpectomy for ADH. I also have LCIS on both my left and right. I wanted to do a BMX but was talked not to by my surgeon. I wish I did…

This time I am scared as the surgeon suspect an invasive cancer somewhere but did not get caught by biospy and I am so scared of this suspicious lymphovascular invasion.

both times my tumor was intermediate grade solid pattern. last time was strong ER and PR. this time ER 60% and PR negative.

Anyone had DCIS and Lymphovascular invasion???? What is your treatment?

I have an appointment with MD Anderson on 10/24

@dpako Hi, totally understandable reaction! I don't know much about LCIS but it sounds tiny and so I'm hopeful that you will be ok.

Hi @snacksize, If you go back a page to page 16 there are more recent posts to look at. Since everybody’s situation is unique you may want to get a second opinion from another hospital. Hopefully you will end out having treatment you are confident in. All the best.