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Becky · 09-17-2007, 05:44 PM

Dear Cathy

I too had DCIS in the opposite breast. It was biopsied at the same time as my lumpectomy 3 years ago. The biopsy was done on a "fluke". One of the surgeons I saw on an opinion said she thought it should be biopsied. I didn't say anything to the other 2 surgeons when I saw them - bringing my films of course. At the end of each of those meetings, I pointed out the area the first surgeon was concerned about and they both said "that is a benign condition". I went with the first surgeon. It was low grade DCIS (3mm) with a 2cm clean margin. My lumpectomy was also clean. Knowing what I know now, I would have removed both of my breasts. However, I have been assured by surgeons, medical oncologists and my radiation oncologist not to have my breasts removed. Besides being watched diligently, I have radically changed my lifestyle. However, I did not get radiation on the DCIS side due to 3 different teams opinions including the University of Pennsylvania and Fox Chase. No rads on that side is a real concern regardless of what the docs say as most literature says to radiate. I will say, if you have DCIS questions, I am going to a seminar tomorrow night titled "DCIS - is it really cancer?" Let me know if you have anything to ask. I'm going and it will be at 7pm and I should be home by 9pm (maybe 9:30p). I will check the board and my private message box if you want.

As far as your chemo, I don't believe chemo does much for DCIS - especially if it is low grade. Although I do believe that Tamoxifen or an AI (if hormone positive - mine was highly hormone positive - much unlike my right side invasive cancer) does help alot and my radiation oncologist also said that Herceptin is beneficial (although my DCIS was not Her2+). He said this particular DCIS probably would have given me no trouble whatsoever in my whole life. Nobody really knows why some DCIS turn into trouble.

If I hadn't had clean margins on both sides (and wasn't so highly encouraged by all the surgeons and doctors I saw to keep my breasts) I would have done differently. Now I am just wondering what to really do and if I do it to have everything in order to have immediate reconstruction. However, being NED now, I am in no rush.

Let me know if you have any questions you want me to ask.

My heart is with yours.

09-17-2007, 05:44 PM	#2
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	Dear Cathy I too had DCIS in the opposite breast. It was biopsied at the same time as my lumpectomy 3 years ago. The biopsy was done on a "fluke". One of the surgeons I saw on an opinion said she thought it should be biopsied. I didn't say anything to the other 2 surgeons when I saw them - bringing my films of course. At the end of each of those meetings, I pointed out the area the first surgeon was concerned about and they both said "that is a benign condition". I went with the first surgeon. It was low grade DCIS (3mm) with a 2cm clean margin. My lumpectomy was also clean. Knowing what I know now, I would have removed both of my breasts. However, I have been assured by surgeons, medical oncologists and my radiation oncologist not to have my breasts removed. Besides being watched diligently, I have radically changed my lifestyle. However, I did not get radiation on the DCIS side due to 3 different teams opinions including the University of Pennsylvania and Fox Chase. No rads on that side is a real concern regardless of what the docs say as most literature says to radiate. I will say, if you have DCIS questions, I am going to a seminar tomorrow night titled "DCIS - is it really cancer?" Let me know if you have anything to ask. I'm going and it will be at 7pm and I should be home by 9pm (maybe 9:30p). I will check the board and my private message box if you want. As far as your chemo, I don't believe chemo does much for DCIS - especially if it is low grade. Although I do believe that Tamoxifen or an AI (if hormone positive - mine was highly hormone positive - much unlike my right side invasive cancer) does help alot and my radiation oncologist also said that Herceptin is beneficial (although my DCIS was not Her2+). He said this particular DCIS probably would have given me no trouble whatsoever in my whole life. Nobody really knows why some DCIS turn into trouble. If I hadn't had clean margins on both sides (and wasn't so highly encouraged by all the surgeons and doctors I saw to keep my breasts) I would have done differently. Now I am just wondering what to really do and if I do it to have everything in order to have immediate reconstruction. However, being NED now, I am in no rush. Let me know if you have any questions you want me to ask. My heart is with yours. __________________ Kind regards Becky Found lump via BSE Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45 1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side) 2 micromets to sentinel node Stage 2A left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg lumpectomies 9/7/04 4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol Used Leukine instead of Neulasta 35 rads on right side only 4/05 started Tamoxifen Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations Oophorectomy 8/05 Started Arimidex 9/05 Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06 Arimidex Only Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia NED 18 years! Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"