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Lani · 04-30-2006, 08:01 PM

DCIS is NON invasive. IF the cells haven't crossed the basement membrane (sort of like the fence around your yard) they haven't gotten access to your lymph system or blood circulatory system so it can't spread. That said , there is such a thing as DCIS with microinvasion--those can spread but rarely do. We have a few members who have progressed from DCIS to Stage IV but this is so rare few oncologists even know it happens.

If you do not have microinvasion, do not sweat the her2neu. Most DCIS is her2 positive but is cured by surgery and radiation (there has been a lot of debate about which DCIS needs radiation, but a lot of progress is being made.

Herceptin isn't given for DCIS because it isn't needed for DCIS. Similarly, chemo isn't given for DCIS. Hormonal therapy may be --on a preventative basis. Be sure to have your pathology slides looked at by a second pathologic opinion if you are nervous about microinvasion.

If you do get radiation it does not cause you to go into menopause, lose your hair, vomit or be anything much more than tired.

As most on this site have invasive her2+ breast cancer that needed surgery, radiation, chemo and herceptin you are truly one of the lucky ones who caught it early enough! Count your blessings, stay informed and sit back and smell the roses!

04-30-2006, 08:01 PM	#6
Lani Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,783	previous post I thought was "gobbled up" by the computer DCIS is NON invasive. IF the cells haven't crossed the basement membrane (sort of like the fence around your yard) they haven't gotten access to your lymph system or blood circulatory system so it can't spread. That said , there is such a thing as DCIS with microinvasion--those can spread but rarely do. We have a few members who have progressed from DCIS to Stage IV but this is so rare few oncologists even know it happens. If you do not have microinvasion, do not sweat the her2neu. Most DCIS is her2 positive but is cured by surgery and radiation (there has been a lot of debate about which DCIS needs radiation, but a lot of progress is being made. Herceptin isn't given for DCIS because it isn't needed for DCIS. Similarly, chemo isn't given for DCIS. Hormonal therapy may be --on a preventative basis. Be sure to have your pathology slides looked at by a second pathologic opinion if you are nervous about microinvasion. If you do get radiation it does not cause you to go into menopause, lose your hair, vomit or be anything much more than tired. As most on this site have invasive her2+ breast cancer that needed surgery, radiation, chemo and herceptin you are truly one of the lucky ones who caught it early enough! Count your blessings, stay informed and sit back and smell the roses!