is grade 3 also with comedo cells

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helenap
helenap Member Posts: 105
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

 I have been reading and reading and learned so much but it is also so daunting. but since I have a smalll amount of DCIS but high grade and comedo cells. but seldom see anyone else refer to that.. is high grade and comedo cells the same thing?

it seems that this one fact send me into thinking mast.

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  • dsj
    dsj Member Posts: 277
    edited May 2010

    I don't think that grade 3 and comedo are the same thing.  Grade 3 refers to how the cells appear (how similar or different they are from normal cells).  Comedonecrosis is connected to dead cells.  I think most comedo DCIS is also grade 3, but I don't believe that is universally the case.  (the less like normal cells, the faster they die, the more likely you are to find necrosis).  That is, I think you can have comedo and a lower grade, but it's more common with Grade 3.  Comedo and Grade 3 are unfavorable prognosticators, but less than 1 centimeter is favorable.    If your DCIS isn't extensive (just a small area) and they can get it out (wide margins), I would think a lumpectomy would be a good choice.  I would ask your doctor what your specific risk is (in terms of your pathology, age and other variables) with lumpectomy vs mastectomy.  Of course it is a personal decision, and no one can decide but you.  But if you don't want a mastectomy, I wouldn't think grade 3 automatically means you should have one.  

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  • helenap
    helenap Member Posts: 105
    edited May 2010

    teh surgeion said the standard for DCIS is lump and radiation or mast and no radiation. my choice.. no talk of predictors etc. I told my "team"  I wanted to meet with an oncologist prior to surgery (I would have thought this would be standard practice) so my visit is tommorrow morning so maybe he can shed more light. but the surgeon said either way is good ... I dont know I guess a little more discussion on pros and cons would have convinced me more.. and as you say - pathology, age, etc..

     it does scare me more with the high grade and comedo cells and just turning 60 next week. what a birthday present. at least I am taking one last trip before I go under the knife..

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  • dsj
    dsj Member Posts: 277
    edited May 2010

    actually your age is a favorable predictor.  younger women have a greater risk of recurrence (everything else being equal, which of course it's not!). 

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