high grade DCIS: ER/PR-

jadeblue

Just came back from the oncologist and learned that my biopsy sample tested ER/PR negative. Also, the preliminary report listed the DCIS as grade 2-3, but the follow-up says 3 with comedo necrosis.

I'm scheduling a lumpectomy for next week because I want them to get it out and let them run the full pathology. All of these "snapshot overviews" are kind of killing me. I'm doing BRCA testing too, but not postponing surgery for the 3+ weeks it will take to get insurance approval and wait for results.

Today's questions:  I understand ER/PR- is less treatable (no Tamoxifen) and more aggressive/more closely linked to invasive cancers than ER/PR+. They also said that hormone receptors might still be discovered in post-excision biopsy. How common is that? Would that change the ER/PR status, or can there be a mix of ER/PR + and -? Also, can someone explain HER2 status? I have not been informed of that and don't understand what it is.

Thanks, all.  I so appreciate the time you take to give me thoughtful answers to my many millions of questions. -Jade

Beesie

jadeblue,

There is an older discussion thread in this forum about DCIS and HER2 status that just recently was reactivated with some new posts.  Here's the link: DCIS and HER2+    

To net it out, at this point in time HER2 status is not considered to be a factor in the treatment or prognosis of DCIS.  There are three (at least) reasons for this: 1)There is no real understanding of what it means if DCIS is HER2+; 2) it appears that HER2 status may change as DCIS progresses to become invasive (possibly making the HER2 status of DCIS irrelevant); and 3) there is no difference in treatment for those who have DCIS that is HER2+.