Biopsy results yesterday. How long until it is staged?

ps0705

Thankful for this site.

My OB/GYN called me yesterday with the bad news. DCIS from the stereotactic core needle biopsy and suggested:

The radiation technologist who did the core needle biopsy was exasperated because she couldn't easily position me for the biopsy because there were blood vessels in the way. Is that bad sign?

*MRI, - is this always the case?

*Repeat of genetic testing -10 years ago I tested negative to the BRCA markers but I have a daughter and it seems to run in the family. He said the genetic testing is better now. Is this true?

*Referral to a breast surgeon/breast care center - a week from today - Do I line up a 2nd opinion now so I can get in quickly after the 1st appointment at the breast center?

*What is involved for staging?

*Do I need to wait for surgery for the staging?

*When/how do I find out the details of the DCIS? Hormone receptive?

Thank you for any insight.

plumster1

Ps0705-

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis but this is a great place to come to for information. I don't know about blood vessels in the way being a bad sign but maybe someone else will respond to that for you. An MRI is very typical. It can give a more detailed information Than mammo/us I believe regarding size and spread/lymph nodes. Genetic testing is also very common. They have identified other gene mutations besides the BrCAs that put you at higher risk for breast, ovarian, colon cancer etc...I believe my panel checked like 30 plus known genes. It positivis result could alter your treatment plan for example having a mastectomy versus lumpectomy. Yes I would line up a second opinion now. I myself saw two BS on a Friday and one BS the following Monday. It was nice to have them all right together to be able to compare surgeons and treatment plans. Your stage is not finalized until,final surgical pathology. The BS might give you a general idea but you have to wait to post surgery for the official. I would have thought the biopsy had the details of hormone status for your dcis.. I would request a copy of your biopsy and start a file for all tests and paperwork. I wish you the best and keep us posted!

Michelle

Peacetoallcuzweneedit

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Hi and I am hope you are doing well after your diagnosis - sorry you have to be here - I'll try to help, but also check and see if there is a cancer nurse navigator available to you - are you with a breast center at all?

1) MRI --> this is actually great and will help your docs make further recommendations about treatment. MRIs assist with clarification of DCIS extent and any additional spots that may need biopsies.

2) Get a copy of all your records and images of your mammograms/ discs of MRI or pdf files of any documents. Your biopsy has a pathology report and that will be your initial staging (size of tumor, grade of tumor, hormone receptor, whether of not it is invasive - DCIS is NON invasive ) there is an entire section on this site for info about DCIS --> go to search above and literally search it....or just search DCIS in the forum search engine and you will find some links to it and more info about DCIS.

3) Genetic testing has expanded, so redoing it would most likely be helpful

4) start researching breast surgeons in your area and never too early to start looking for a second or third opinion.

5) Your path report from your biopsy will give the results of the area they biopsied. So currently it looks like DCIS --> look for the grade of DCIS and typically they will check hormone receptors, however that might take an additional day or two from initial result of describing what the tissue is....your final pathology after surgery will tell EXACTLY what the tissue IS and may change treatments. Example --> I had 3cm in my right breast of what was biopsied as lobular neoplasia ( kind of precancerous condition). They biopsied a part of the 3cm. However, after mastectomy the remaining part of the 3cm was examined and it had DCIS and IDC...so a whole different ball game and changed my staging on the spot from non cancer on my right breast to stage 1A.

Keep us posted and sending positive healing vibes your way!

ps0705

Thanks Plumster1 and Peacetoallcuzweneedit. I picked up my path report this morning but the hormone status was not finalized yet. I was told either later today (didn't happen) or Friday because of Thanksgiving.

The report did state 4/7 core biopsy positive. DCIS. Nuclear grade 3.

I tried to set up surgeon appts for next week but the 3 that I was referred to were all closed today (Weds), tomorrow(Thanksgiving), and probably Friday. So there goes any possibility of Monday appts.

I'm trying not to drive myself crazy but yikes.

ElaineTherese

DCIS is Stage 0. But, some women with DCIS also have invasive cancer (IDC). The MRI may help your doctors figure that out. However, it may take until surgery to figure out for sure whether you have "pure DCIS."

DCIS, Grade 3 is a little more concerning than DCIS at a lower grade. But, so long as there's no invasive component, you have an excellent prognosis.

ps0705

Thank you ElaineTherese.