Breast cancer
posted by wexlass
11 July 2011

DCIS

Last reply: 30 June 2015 02:43

Hi everyone,

Following a strong family history (Mother, aunt, maternal grandmother) I was diagnosed with DCIS on May 26th. Had wire localisation on June 15th which showed more cells in the margin! Back on July 20th for another excision to see if they can get the clear margin and will definitely be having radiotherapy.

I was just wondering if anyone else has been in a similar situation? Do surgeons keep going back until they get a clear margin or are they more inclined to recommend a mastectomy?

5 comments

Comments

commented by FH2
12 July 2011

12 July 2011 18:52

Hi Wexlass,

Firstly, sorry to hear of your diagnosis. And that you've to go back for more surgery due to cells in the margin. Hopefully you will get clear margins this time. If not, it would probably depend on the size and location of your tumour as to whether they would go back to try again or recommend a mastectomy. And what you personally feel and want can be taken into account too. Don't be afraid to ask your doctor any questions.

I also had a very strong family history and when I was diagosed with BC, I asked for genetic testing. Has anyone mentioned this to you?

Regards,
Flo.

commented by wexlass
12 July 2011

12 July 2011 23:39

Hi Flo,

Many thanks for reply. Firstly, no one has mentioned genetic testing to me and to be honest, with everything else going on, I didn't even think about it until I joined this forum...I must ask about it next time.

Secondly, I'm not sure what I want really...part of me wouldn't mind a mastectomy, if that's what's recommended, but I wonder how different will I look. I haven't really liked the size of my breasts for a long time and was always saying that if I had had money, I would have had a reduction and now that I'm faced with it...I just don't know! I guess, it's all very new and I have to just take each stage as it comes...I mean...it mightn't even come to mastectomy at all, and when it does, I have a lot of questions!!!

Thanks for advice.

Hope you are doing well.

Mich.
_________________________
Routine annual Mammo & Ultrasound - April 4th 2011.
Stereotactic Biopsy - May 16th.
Diagnosis - DCIS - May 26th.
Wire Localisation - June 15th (2 days before 46th birthday)
More surgery - July 20th.
Radiotherapy - ? September!

"Life is not the amount of breaths you take in a moment, but the moments that take your breath away"

commented by Wall100
14 July 2011

14 July 2011 10:54

Hi,

I was diagnosed with DCIS last March and have just finished treatment. I had the local ide area excision and had technically clear margins but as the area was large - 8cm- it wad recommended I gave a mastectomy. My nodes were clear.

Because I had a mastectomy I didn't needs radiotherapy and the areas of micro invasion so small that no chemo was required either. I had immediate reconstruction and the result is very good with the lat dor procedure.

I had originally dreaded having the mastectomy but now it is over I feel very relieved to have had a biopsy on the full breast area and everything removed.

My lesson from the last 4 months is that the treatment and options are not clear at the start and you have to take each step along the way and decidenwith your doctors the next step though to answer your initial question the doctors will want clear margins following the excisions.

Hope this help.

Tricia

commented by FH2
20 July 2011

20 July 2011 12:53

Hi Mich,

Just wanted to wish you Good Luck for your op today. Please let us know how you got on (when you can).

Hugs,

Flo.

commented by suzanne
30 June 2015

30 June 2015 02:43

diagnosed with dcis in 2011, ist op wide local excision and sentinel node biopsy, results not clear. had mastectomy and axillary clearance - all clear. very proud of my " battle scar ". it's quite extensive however, but - all clear, a good , good result. very happy. i actually think it looks pretty neat now. really got used to " the new and improved me "

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