Question about treatment for DCIS with one lymphnode positive

cl00

H,

 I have a question regarding the post mastectomy treatment and wonder whether any of you have or know of similar situation. Would really appreciate it if you could give some suggestions or doctors' name.

 I was diagnosed with DCIS on left breast last November and had the mastectomy on Jan 7th. However, the sentinel lymphnode biopsy turned out to be  positive during surgery and the doctors condcuted axillary dissection. Luckily only 1 out of 16 lymphnodes were positive. 

 Now the oncologists at City of Hope had two discussions about my case since it's atypical for DCIS patients have positive lymphnode(s). They initially suggested just Tamoxifen, but my doctor just called me today and mentioned now more people are leaning towards Chemo with Tamoxifen (plus Herceptin now pathology shows mine is HER2 positive in addition). 

Their rationale: 1. my lump was palpable and big (5cm x 5cm)

2. Technically mine is stage 2 ecause of the size and has become invasive

3. IMy age: 35.

 I'm waiting to see a different oncologist here in LA in two weeks, but would love to hear some suggestions. Thanks a lot!

KAR

Hi C100,  I just wanted to wish you well and suggest that if you don't get much help on this thread go ahead and post your questions to the stage 1 or 2 threads because they would be more familiar with some of the treatments they are suggesting for you.   Your case sounds interesting to say the least.  I was wondering what your path report said, did they find an invasive component? 

Best of luck, Im sure you will do fine:)

Karen

Gayleebug

Hope this helps ... just my opinion ... I've always been a "belt AND suspenders" kind of person... I would definitely have the Herceptin infusions even if you don't have chemo, and would recommend chemo because of the spread to a lymph node.  It's a hard decision.  Best to you!

Gayle

sunnyhou

Hi there

do they know for sure that the lymph node was positive? was it micro metastasis? I read somewhere when women with DCIS go in for surgery and get a sentinel mode positive it is sometimes misplaced cells from their biopsy. I would ask about this. Also was all 5cm invasive? I think they only count the part that is invasive. So if you had a 5cm mass and 4cm was DCIS and the one centimenter was invasive then they just look at the one centimeter piece. The DCIS become irrelevant because it is the least serious. This would mean stage 1. I would get a second opinion on your slides and then a second opinion on treatment. I think Bessie is the expert. Hope she comes on here soon and replies to your post. She has always made things clear to me and has helped tremendously. Take a deep breath. Hope you are doing ok mentally.

sunnyhou

I am posting this in both places you posted ..

please check out this group.. they are so helpful and they are all young like us..

you will get good help and support here but want you to get as much info as possible:

I love this group.. but I also want to recommend another website.. it is for women under 40 with BC.  You might post over there too to get some help and ideas

it is

www.youngsurvival.org

cl00

Hi Thanks so much for the suggestions. I do realize that chemo is probably good for me. The doctors think it's unlikely that the lymphnode is falsely positive since lymphatic also found invasive cells. Initially my doctor suggested against chemo, so I was suprised she changed her mind. I just want to learn more about what other doctors would say and/or patients went through. Do you guys know any oncologists that are famous in breast cancer?

cl00

Hi Sunny,

Thanks for sending me the link. I posted there too. Too bad they don't have any locations in southern California. 

roseg

I agree that you should move to the Stage II forumn.

Cancer that is her+ is more aggressive. I would do the chemothearpy treatments that are recommended.