Diagnosed with DCIS but not sure...

JanetfromPgh

Diagnosed with DCIS but not sure...

JanetfromPgh

Hi..

What is the difference between the stage of cancer and the grade?  I had a core biopsy done in May that stated that revealed DCIS however, since I have puckering at the cancer site and based on the shape of the tumor, the surgeons believe that I have invasive ductal carcinoma.  I won't know for sure until I have the lumpectomy at the end of this month.  I am to have an MRI but wasn't able to stay in the tube longer than 2 minutes.  I have a sedative for my next attempt, but not sure that I'll be able to do it or not.  

What is the difference between having the MRI done and a CT scan?  I have gone to 3 surgeons and they have all requested different tests prior to surgery so was just curious what each would show.

Thanks for any input or guidance. 

AmyD

Hi, Janet,

Search the terms "stage" and "grade" on the breastcancer.org site----it explains these terms.

 Regarding the difference between the CT and MRI, the MRI will provide more information about your breast.  I'm not sure it is worth doing both---the MRI would probably be preferable.  I think it gives more of an idea of the size of the area involved.  

 Best,

Amy

 7/15/09 dx DCIS left breast, 4.5 cm.  Left mastectomy 7/27/09, Sentinel Node negative, pathology shows DCIS, Stage 0, grade 3. ER+/PR+

Susie123

They initially thought mine was DCIS too and it turned out to be IDC, but it was very early IDC. The pathology report from the lumpectomy will have the type, grade, er, pr, her2 and alot more info on it. My biopsy path report had the er, pr and her2 status, but not the stage and grade. The complete report will come after the lumpectomy. They want to do the MRI because they can tell alot more about what they will be dealing with prior to the surgery. I had one before my surgery too. They can see in there much better with a MRI than with other scans. Try to take your sedative and get through it. My BS office had special earphones they put on you and ask what radio station you wanted to listen to while in the tube. They turned up the volume pretty loudly and I kept my eyes closed the entire time. The MRI is a really important diagnostic tool, try to stick it out. I would pick one surgeon, preferably a breast surgeon and stick with them. This whole experience is confusing enough without getting different orders from multiple Drs. Hang in there, it does get better.

JanetfromPgh

Hi Susie and Amy..thank you for responding.

I was at the hospital today for my pre-op testing and was told that they want to do both...MRI and CT which I'm going to do those and the chest x-ray next Tuesday.  I surely hope that the sedative works.  Susie, when you had your MRI, were you face down?  That is the part that bothers me since I carry my weight in my stomach so it is difficult for me to be on my stomach.

What was the treatment for IDC?  What made them think that it wasn't DCIS or you didn't find out until the lumpectomy?  The surgeon told me they will take out at least 1 1/2 size golf ball from the breast.  Isn't that size still disfiguring?  I will have to read up because I don't know what er, ph, her2 or those things means yet.  My pathology report from the core biopsy doesn't really say much except for DCIS.  

Yes it is so confusing but I went to different surgeons and got completely opposite points of views and treatment.  I went to a third surgeon who was in the middle of the first two and suggested that I get a fourth opinion.  I just can't handle all of the confusion and mixed information.  It is making me crazy.