Diagnosed with DCIS grade 3, will I keep getting it back?

SheryS21

I am diagnosed with DCIS and I learnt today that it's grade 3. I will be getting a lumpectomy and radiation. (The doctor told me too that I'm estrogen 40%positive).

But does this mean that the DCIS will keep reoccurring? Can it come back instead as invasive cancer? And is my chances of getting cancer to other parts of my body high?

Please help.

BarredOwl

Hi SS21:

When you are first diagnosed, it is a scary time. Grade is just one factor that can affect risk profile. The results from the surgical pathology will provide more information about size, grade, etc.

Many new members find this comprehensive post about DCIS from Beesie to be extremely helpful. You may wish to bookmark it and refer to it as you move forward, or check it if you have a question.

A layperson's guide to DCIS (original post):

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/68/topics/790992?page=1

Two key points from the layperson's guide are:

"- DCIS is Stage 0 breast cancer - whatever the grade, whatever the size. DCIS is the earliest stage of breast cancer, with the best possible prognosis.

- DCIS is heterogeneous disease; there are many different types of DCIS and many different diagnoses. A diagnosis of 3 mm of grade 1 papillary DCIS is very different from a diagnosis of 7 cm of grade 3 DCIS with comedonecrosis... and there are lots of variations in between. Different diagnoses present different risks. That's why even a small difference in diagnosis can lead to a different treatment recommendation for one person vs. another."

Lumpectomy plus radiation is an effective treatment plan. In addition, being estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) will give you the added option of anti-hormonal therapy (also called "endocrine therapy", e.g., tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor), which is also good.

Be sure to request a copy of your pathology report from the biopsy for your review and records. It is good practice for understanding the surgical pathology report.

You'll find a lot of information and support here as you move forward with your plan.

Take care,

BarredOwl