Diagnosed this morning

Colorado_girl

Hello Everyone,

I've been lurking here for the past couple of weeks as I waited for my biopsies and results - all the while hoping it wouldn't be necessary to become a full-fledged member. But this morning I received confirmation that I do indeed have cancer. I've just started learning the lingo/acronyms/ins&outs, but I know enough to understand that my diagnosis is one of the better-case scenarios, and I'm very very grateful for that.

The toughest part for me was telling my family. They all cried, and it kills me to think I'm the cause of any upset for them. I have two wonderful daughters who will now have to carry my diagnosis with them in the form of being extra diligent about breast screenings. I hate that because of me, they now have a higher likelihood of developing this terrible disease themselves.

I know you're not doctors, but since you have more knowledge in the area than I currently do, I'd love to hear your thoughts on my initial report. I'm still waiting to hear back from the cancer center. Here's what I know so far (copied from my portal):

Narrative

Test Requested: PVH Surgical Result ID:
VS21-06563

FINAL DIAGNOSIS:

A) BREAST, RIGHT, 9 O'CLOCK, MIDDLE, STEREOTACTIC-GUIDED NEEDLE BIOPSY FOR GROUPED MICROCALCIFICATIONS:
1. COMPLEX DUCTAL CARCINOMA IN SITU, INTERMEDIATE AND LOW GRADE, WITH CRIBRIFORM GROWTH PATTERN, COMEDO TYPE NECROSIS, AND CALCIFICATION.
2. NO DEFINITIVE INVASION IS IDENTIFIED.
3. DUCTAL CARCINOMA IN SITU MEASURES UP TO 6.0 MM IN GREATEST
INDIVIDUAL LINEAR EXTENT.

BREAST, RIGHT, 9 O'CLOCK, POSTERIOR, STEREOTACTIC-GUIDED NEEDLE BIOPSY FOR GROUPED MICROCALCIFICATIONS:
1. COLUMNAR ALTERATION WITH PROMINENT APICAL SNOUTS AND SECRETIONS WITH ASSOCIATED CALCIFICATIONS.
2. NO EVIDENCE OF ATYPIA OR MALIGNANCY.

COMMENT:
Part A: Estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor studies have been ordered, and the results will be issued as an addendum.

Part B: Based on the pathology findings alone, no further sampling in this area is suggested. Clinical and radiographic correlation are essential.


Clinical History:
1. RIGHT breast stereotactic-guided core needle biopsy. Grouped
microcalcifications, 9:00, middle. Cores with calcs in sections: D, E, F.
2. RIGHT breast stereotactic-guided core needle biopsy. Grouped
microcalcifications, 9:00, posterior. Cores with calcs in sections: A, B.

MountainMia

Hey, colorado girl. Okay, what they've found so far is ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS. That is usually considered Stage 0, or pre-cancerous. They did not see invasion or malignancy. That's very good news. The DCIS they found is small, only 6mm. That's about the size of a peppercorn. So, super good news.

The sample will be tested for hormone receptors and you'll get that info soon. That will help determine your treatment.

Based on ONLY this and I'm not a doctor! you'll probably be speaking with a surgeon about scheduling surgery. With such a small spot, a lumpectomy and radiation would be part of the menu of choices. This is the least invasive surgery and with a small spot, probably would have very minimal cosmetic impact (not much tissue taken out.)

All that said, until you have surgery and the pathology from that, they won't really know for sure what you've got. It's not unusual to have an "invasive" component, invasive ductal carcinoma, or IDC. That could change your overall treatment but wouldn't necessarily. You'll just have to wait and see.

As to your daughters, they are female and if they are old enough, they have breasts. That means they have about a 1 in 8 chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer, at some time in their lives. Unless there is a genetic component to your cancer (and you won't necessarily be tested for that, depending on other variables) their risk of breast cancer isn't necessarily any higher than any other average woman's.

Hope this helps some. Likely other people will chime in, too. Good luck.

exbrnxgrl

mountainmia is right on! DCIS, is not invasive and is considered a pre-cancer. It will still need treatment but unless your surgery reveals anything else, you’re in a very favorable situation. Genetically related breast cancers are the exception, not the rule (15-20%). I have two daughters and was eligible for genetic testing due to the ethno/religious group I belong to. Genetic testing is not routine but you could speak with your doctor to see if you meet testing criteria. BTW, I have been tested for all currently known mutations and nothing was found but they have had their awareness raised for sure. Take care

bcincolorado

coloradogirl I know you are scared. I was too. Where are you in Colorado? What hospital system? Since I'm in the Springs may know some of your docs and can give you some insight on them as well. You can PM me if you want. Best wishes. I was pretty scared to start with as well at first.