DCIS and Lumpectomy Path Results

mrkffr11

I've just scheduled my lumpectomy/excision surgery for later this month and as I read the boards here I'm starting to get anxious about the results of this proceedure.

Not super worried about the cosmetic result so much as it sounds like pathology review of the tissue takes place and that diagnosis of molecular level malignancy can change.

What questions can I ask about my original path result of area biopsy and subsequent screens (MRI & US) so I can be best prepared for what might be found when they do proceedure to remove problem area?

I'm worried that I'm not prepared for what could result from this next proceedure - lumpectomy.

Any help much appreciated.

scrappylady

Hi! I also had MRI & Ultrasound before my lumpectomy (2/6/12). I was stage 0 DCIS as well. I know my doctor explained they did the axillary (armpit) ultrasound to see if there were any abnormal or enlarged lymph nodes so they would know whether to biopsy/resect those at the time of the lumpectomy. With the MRI, they were checking to see if there were any other areas of microcalcificatio that may not have been seen on the mammograms. My MRI did show another questionable area relatively close to my original area of concern; so my surgeon scheduled me for a "bracket" lumpectomy with a 2 wire needle localization just before the surgery (same day as)....the radiologist put the wires in under mammogram guidance to show where the 2 areas were located which made it easier at the surgery I guess. So I would ask what those two tests showed for you. Good luck and be sure to keep us updated!

mrkffr11

Thanks scrappy, 

Did you get 'results' back from the bracket lumpectomy. 

I've been thinking of this next proceedure as a 'treatment' but the more I read I understand that a lot more information or even a confirmation of your condition is given.

I want to start understanding if this is treatment or if this is an aditional biopsy when more 'stuff' is learned about the condition.

thanks, M