Just Diagnosed and Needing Advice

monicammoriah

Hello-

I first want to say that I am so thankful for these forums!

I found a lump in my breast last week--slight clear discharged when expressed. I have some other major medical issues going on, so I almost ignored the lump, but ended up going to an urgent care clinic just to get a medical opinion. One week later I've had a 3-d mammogram, ultrasound, and core biopsy (classified as bi-rads 5). I don't have an internist who the breast clinic can send the result to, so as far as they know I don't have my biopsy results. I actually went to pick them up myself, as I believe that knowledge of one's own diagnosis is vastly important.

In any event, my biopsy/mammogram says 6cm of calcifications/high grade DCIS/all sections reveal high grade DCIS/ducts are filled and sclerotic and contain a solid proliferation of highly pleomorphic cells with central necrosis. ER+ 3+ 100% and PR+ 50%. I've done my best researching what all of this means, and I do understand that at this point, I have what I will jokingly refer to as "baby cancer" (no offense meant, I just need to keep my mood as light as possible now).

I understand that they typical protocol is surgery/radiology/ tamoxifen. But since I haven't officially been able to speak to a doctor (despite my best efforts at getting the breast clinic to return my calls), I have a few questions that I'm hoping someone can answer (or at least provide some guidance).

1. How long is the period before diagnosis and surgery for high grade DCIS? Or how long should one wait?

2. Does the size of the calcification impact treatment?

3. Is it only possible to determine whether the cancer has progressed to invasive when a) either the biopsied tissue has an invasive sample; or b ) once the mass is completely removed after surgery?

4. I've noticed that the lymph nodes in my neck have been swollen for about 6 months or so. This diagnosis obviously gives me a bit of concern--how do doctors make the determination of whether DCIS has spread to the nodes (is it only after surgery and a second biopsy?) And is this something worth mentioning to a doctor.

5. I see that lumpectomies are pretty standard, but I also am reading about a large number of women who prefer to have a mastectomy--with high grade DCIS (and what seems to me to be a rather large mass), do doctors tend to push for one vs. the other?

I'm 39 if age has any impact on how things are treated.

Sorry if these questions are silly. I've made some appointments with BSs, but it's going to be a few weeks before I can see anyone.

Thanks in advance for your help! I'm just trying to have some basis of knowledge when I finally get to speak to a medical professional.

Moderators

Dear monicammoriah, Welcome to the community. We are glad that you reached out here and hope you will find support and information in the days to come. While you are waiting for some responses you may want to check out this information on our website about Your Diagnosis. We hope that you will get an appointment soon so that you can truly get your questions answered. Keep us posted. The Mods

vbishop

Hi Monica -

Sorry you are having to join us, but this is a great place for information, opinions, a place to vent, etc.

Weighing in on the DCIS. As you probably already know, DCIS means the cancer is contained within the ducts and therefore is non invasive. High grade implies that it is more aggressive, so you don't want to dilly dally, but you also don't need to rush into making decisions.

The swollen lymph nodes are concerning, but it shouldn't be because of DCIS (non-invasive, remember). Is there IDC there as well? Who knows?

My advice is to schedule an appointment with a surgeon and with an oncologist. Technically, the oncologist drives the bus, so you may want to start there. Regardless, you need to get your test results to the professionals and determine a treatment plan. Additional testing may or may not be required.

Good luck!

susieqq54

hi monica

I was just diagnosed with infiterating ductal adeno carcinoma 3 days after my biopsy I got my diagnosois I am having a left side mastectomy on Thursday mar 10 2016 you should go back to the doctor that sent you for the biopsy so you can see a surgeon its been 5 weeks since my first mammogram to surgery please don't wait for them you need to go to them

thinking of you susieqq54