DCIS with a mass?

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CrunchyPoodleMama
CrunchyPoodleMama Member Posts: 1,220
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

Hi, everyone... I was told this afternoon that the samples tested were all "in situ" thoughout a 3-5 cm mass and microcalcifications in the area.

I was happy to hear this at first (if it's got to be cancer, I guess "in situ" is an okay one to have?), but now I'm confused.

How can it possibly be contained within the duct if I have a 3-5 cm mass? Doesn't that mean, by definition, it's busted out of the duct? or can a duct somehow expand to hold a mass that size? I know some of you have the same situation but I can't find articles or posts that explains that.

BTW, I don't know for sure whether I have DCIS or LCIS... I forgot to ask... I'm guessing it's ductal because 1) it's very close to the nipple and 2) I've had a slightly bleeding duct right next to where the mass is.

He took quite a few cores (at least 12 to 15) from all throughout the mass and microcalcifications... I'm just confused as to how he can know this is in situ and I can't find this specific answer anywhere. If you have any ideas, thank you in advance, and if not, I apologize for bothering you!

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  • redsox
    redsox Member Posts: 523
    edited November 2009

    In situ vs. invasive relates to the characteristics of the cells rather than the size of the tumor.  In situ cancer cells have changed from normal cells in that they proliferate uncontrollably but they have not undergone the change that makes them invade other structures. DCIS can be quite large.

    http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/types/dcis/diagnosis.jsp

    When you have complete excision of the tumor they may find an invasive component.  Since none showed up in the biopsy it is likely to be small and still early enough that you would not need chemo.

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  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited November 2009

    The ducts are in there like a bowl of spaghetti or a garden hose. As they fill with dead stuff the DCIS leaves they can stiffen a bit, so that can feel like a 'mass.'

    The pathologist looks at cross sections of that when he/she does the analysis. They can see if the cell walls are broken. If it's DCIS or LCIS then it's not broken out of the cell walls.

    That's a sucky thing about DCIS, it can cover quite an area. Invasive cancers are tighter and more contained.  I guess the bad guys stick together. 

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  • desdemona222b
    desdemona222b Member Posts: 776
    edited November 2009

    Crunchy -

    It's possible you have both - I did - but you'll find that out with the final path report after surgery.  You have DCIS because they generally don't operate on LCIS alone.  LCIS is quite a bit different than DCIS - if you google it you'll see what I mean.  It isn't nearly as dangerous.

    Roseg, interesting answer - I didn't know that.

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  • CrunchyPoodleMama
    CrunchyPoodleMama Member Posts: 1,220
    edited November 2009

    Thank you all! I Rose, that analogy and description helps a lot; thank you!

    That's a sucky thing about DCIS, it can cover quite an area. Invasive cancers are tighter and more contained. I guess the bad guys stick together.  

    I guess that also explains how this is so relatively large in a short amount of time. 

    Thanks again!

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  • VinRobMom
    VinRobMom Member Posts: 101
    edited November 2009

    I think I wrote to you before Julia about my mass.  I have DCIS and right in the middle of it, I have an 8 mm. mass.  The mass was not biopsied.  It is what brought me into the doc's office for a mammo referral.  It is also moderately painful.  My breast surgeon told me that he does not think that it is cancer.  I don't recall the exact reasoning but he did feel it and since it is right where the DCIS is, he doesn't think it is anything to worry about.  It will be removed during the lumpectomy and until they actually test it, who knows what it is?  You are lucky that they actually biopsied yours and found it to be just DCIS. 

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  • mlrbelle
    mlrbelle Member Posts: 108
    edited November 2009

    My mass was more than 6 cm and was all DCIS.  I had some microinvasions (only seen on microscope after mx) in other areas of that breast as well, but the mass itself was all DCIS.  The size only means it's probably going to be categorized as a higher grade.  My mass was also somewhat painful - I thought it was engorgement since I was breastfeeding and weening when it was first noticed.  Mine was also right next to the nipple area.

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