How many docs on a team for DCIS?

kitchenwitch-

you will have a follow-up or two with the breast surgeon post-lumpectomy. I haven't seen mine since that, I am not sure if other BS keep seeing their DCIS patients post-lumpectomy. This is fine with me, I feel I can call her if/when I have a problem. If you are interested in mammosite, you may want to discuss this with the breast surgeon prelumpectomy since sometimes something special can be done at the lumpectomy? anyway,  The week after my lumpectomy  - with pathology results in - I had visits with the radiology oncologist and the medical oncologist.  So, eventhough I wouldn't be starting radiation for at least a month, we discussed what I would need and started the scheduling. With the medical oncologist it was also an introductory meeting, perhaps more interesting because we discussed a clinical trial which would have necessitated changing radiologists and delaying radiology ( I decided against it).S we agreed that I would probably take tamoxifen and wouldn't start til after radiation. I think my next appt with the medical oncologist was near the end of my 7 weeks of radiation. 

At the outset the breast surgeon was calling the shots, setting up the appts with the radiologist and medical oncologist I had told her I wanted. then, most of my interaction was with the radiologist and now, the medical oncologist. I make sure the medical oncologist gets all my lab reports etc. For example, I felt I needed a gyn for possible tamoxifen ses (had been going to my internist for everything) and I now make sure all my gyn reports go to the medical oncologist as well as my primary care doctor. I made an appt with an opthamologist also to be monitored for possible tamoxifen issues, and will ask that the visit report go to the medical oncologist too.

I am sure when there is chemo and/or a plastic surgeon in the mix everything gets much more complicated!!!

Julie E

Kitchenwitch -

In regards to your picking a surgeon, FLMel is right.  Just make sure that you are comfortable with your BS.  I started with one who did my biopsy and I fired him right after.  I was then referred to another one and found him to be great.  My husband even likes him.

Even if your lumpectomy doesn't go okay and you need a re-excision (I did), it's not because the surgeon did a bad job.  It's because the DCIS is microscopic and the patholigists find it when examining the slides.  So don't worry too much if that happens.  What matters is that they get a clean enough margin.

I have met with both the rad onc and med onc.  They will work hand in hand for the most part.  But I won't see the med onc until after my radiation treatments.  We will then talk about tamoxifen and if I need it.  You will then follow up with med onc every 6 months for between 3 and 5 years.

So, hang in there.  We all know what you are going through.  And good luck in picking a BS.