ADH, family history unavailable (adopted)

Another adoptee diagnsoed with ADH. My surgeon isn't recommending any further treatment at this time, other than a mammo and U/S in Sept. or Oct. He doesn't want me on hormonals either as I'm premenopausal.

I think considering the lack of family history maybe your surgeon is being proactive? Maybe they want to be absolutely positive you are "clean" now.  

I agree that a second opinion would be a good idea if they recommend radiation therapy. I have not heard of radiation therapy being used for ADH.  Usually the treatment is surgical removal (mostly to make sure it is nothing more than ADH) and maybe tamoxifen. 

Although the difference between ADH and DCIS can be a fine line you have a second opinion confirming the pathology finding. 

I am not a supporter of minimal treatment for DCIS and had radiation after lumpectomy for DCIS but I think radiation therapy would be overkill for ADH -- better to find a good surveillance plan.

I agree with others in feeling that radiation for this type of lesion would be overkill. ADH is generally considered a precursor to low grade DCIS and it's sometimes even difficult for pathologists to tell them apart.  Neither ADH or low grade DCIS is a life-threatening problem (low grade invasive usually isn't either). If I were you and at your age, I would allow nothing further to be done about it and just continue to enjoy life while keeping a close eye on things through whatever type of screening schedule your docs recommend.  I fully understand your concerns about radiation - I refused radiation for an invasive low grade left breast cancer after a lumpectomy over 6 years ago when I was 49 and have had no recurrence to date.  Best wishes to you.

I have a family history of breast (mom) and ovarian (aunt), but most of the time there is no family history with a breast cancer diagnosis. I have had 2 biopsies for ADH (once in each breast 18 months apart) and my surgeon only performed a lumpectomy to remove the areas and suggested Tamox. I was put on a watch and wait 6 month screenings with mammos after the first dx. After the 2nd biopsy I did start taking the tamox. Not one time was radiation treatment recommended. After my dx of DCIS I opted for bilat and did not need rads that time either. I would request a different pathologist read your slides and go to another doctor for a 2nd opinion.

edit: I just re-read your post and saw that you did get a 2nd opinion from a pathologist. I would still recommend seeing another doctor.

Sheila

tgood,

I am new to the site and don't understand all the abbreviations yet.  Sorry, but what is IDC?  When you had lumpectomies for ADH your surgeon didn't recommend Tamoxifen or did you decide not to take it?  I just had a lumpectomy and it came back with diagnosis of ADH.  I am trying to decide if I take Tamox or not.  You would say yes?

Anne:

Thanks for the response.  My BS has recommended taking Tamoxifen but I am just scared of the side effects because I also have endometriosis and they want to put me on Lupron with a Mirena IUD for that.  It just seems like a lot of medication to be on and I am not used to taking anything.  I really came on here to see if I could find anyone else in the same situation but haven't found it.  It seems like a lot of women with ADH choose not to take the Tamox as preventative but I would almost feel like I was letting my family down if I didn't do everything to cut my risk.  Almost wish I wouldn't have found the darn lump that started all this to begin with!

My surgeon sent me to an oncologist when I was diagnoised with ALH - he highly wanted me to take Tamoxifen for 5 years - I chose unilateral masectomies - tired of the biopsies, worry etc.  I have not regretted the decision - good luck!!