33, IDC with many (8!) foci of DCIS

kate_capsize

Hi all!

Bummed to be posting here, but so glad that such a supportive and informative forum exists.

I'm 33. I found a lump just below my left nipple last May, had an ultrasound, docs didn't think it was cancer - too young, the usual. Decided to have it excised anyway, which didn't happen until November, and bam... IDC, 12mm, ER+/PR+, HER2+.

Over the next few months I had a PET scan that only showed inflammatory arthritis (ugh) and an MRI that showed areas of concern in my right breast. I had a core needle biopsy done there which showed DCIS, followed by a mammogram. Genetic (BRCA) testing was negative.

Fast forward to my bilateral mastectomy last week (January 22) and my pathology results showed 6!!! DCIS foci, ranging from 11mm to 1mm, in my left breast and 2 in my right breast. The margins are also uncomfortably close - 0.2mm from my chest wall on the left side and I'm not even sure they were able to get a margin by the skin.

I'm shocked. I've heard of plenty of people having one or two tumors, but 7 new ones that didn't show up in prior testing at all? I'm freaking out. This thing seems super aggressive. Both of my surgeons are recommending radiation, and that makes me nervous too, because I had breast implants before this cancer business so my skin is already quite thin. I'm concerned it's going to affect my reconstruction efforts (although I guess in the scheme of things, that's the least of my worries, ha). Right now I've got tissue expanders in and the process is going pretty well; I've already had my first fill!

Has anyone else seen something so extensive like this before? I'm trying to keep my head up - again, as far as I know, I'm still in the early stages because it hasn't spread to my lymph nodes (SLNB on both sides) and the IDC tumor was only 12mm...but hell, that's a LOT of areas of "precancer".

Any reassurances and words of wisdom would be much appreciated!

Paco

hi Kate,

My lumpectomy is tomorrow, so I'll post what the pathology report finds as soon as I know it. No words of wisdom other than to say, we are with you!

keepthefaith

kate, you have been through a lot already! You mentioned your surgeons recommending radiation. I would suggest consulting with an Oncologist as well as a Radiation Oncologist before making a decision on your treatment. It sounds like you are being pro-active so far and information is power! I hope you find the answers you need. Best wishes!