NYT article on DCIS

I had DCIS in one breast. My oncologist tried to talk me out of a bilat mx. And my surgeon thought I needed more tests. I knew, yrs ago, if I ever got cancer, I'd have a bilat. I went thru with it and the pathology report came back with more DCIS in that breast that didn't show in any tests.

I don't regret  my decision at all. 

What does it mean if they don't put any of these notations in your diagnosis.  Mine does not have LCIS, DCIS, OR IDC listed.  I had one node positive out of 27 taken and a lump about 2.5 cm.  They gave me Chemo, Rads, after the lumpectomy to remove the lump and now I am on my second 5 years of Arimidex.  So after reading these posts I am confused as to what group I am really in now. Does anyone hear know?  None of my Oncs have ever discussed this with me.  I just know what I know because I found a letter that was written to my surgeon from my radiologist discribing my bc. However, none of these above terms were included.  They did not even mention what Stage or Grade I was in the letter.   Thanks for your help.

Bessie:  Thank you so much for the link to that page.  I was never given a pathology report ever.  And now I have moved to a different state with a new Onc and I have no idea what he has.  When I see him in November I may ask him what my diagnosis shows.  The info I got was on a letter sent to my surgeon from my radiologist thanking him for sending me to him.  The letter just seems to leave out a lot of details.  I will get it and check it against what you wrote and stuff on that webpage and see if I can find more info about my diagnosis.  I appreciate so much your reply and the information you have provided.  Thanks again!

Medigal,

The website that I provided the link to in my previous post explains how to determine your stage based on the size of your tumor and the number of nodes affected.  Specifcally, your tumor, being 3.2cm in size, is designated as being a T2 tumor because it's between 20mm (2cm) and 50mm (5.0cm) in size.  Your nodal status is N1, based on your having only one node affected, and you are M0 (no mets).  So your full staging is T2, N1, M0, which is Stage IIB.

As for the grade, your letter indicated "Poorly differentiated", which means Grade 3.  This website explains that:  http://www.imaginis.com/breast-health/histologic-grades-of-breast-cancer-helping-determine-a-patient-s-outcome-2

And as for the type of cancer, lobular is more rare so if you had lobular, it would certainly be specified; since it's not, I think it's safe to assume that you have IDC, invasive ductal carcinoma. 

The treatment you received - chemo, rads and Arimidex - are all consistent with this diagnosis.  Being HER2 positive, if you were diagnosed today, you would also receive Herceptin, but Herceptin was still in test and not yet approved at the time of your diagnosis.

In terms of how many of us include our diagnosis line at the bottom of our posts, yours would be:

"Diagnosis 8/4/03, IDC 3.2cm, Grade 3, Stage IIB, 1/27 nodes, ER+, PR+ HER2+"

Hope that helps!

Hi alll,

I believe Poorly Differentiated means a more aggressive cell.  Mine were Well Differentiated, and I was Grade 1.  This was when I was first diagnosed at Stage 0-1, 13 years ago.  Back then, I had a lumpectomy and radiation.  My tumor was 9 mm, so very tiny.  They didn't think Tamoxifen would decrease my chances of recurrence by more than about 3%.  So I didn't take it.  I had no node involvement.  But, still, 12 years later I was diagnosed with mets to bone and lung pleura.  No new tumors in the breast, and normal mammos for 12 years.   So, cells had still spread and were dormant for all that time.  I was ER+, so they were sensitive to estrogen, and somehow they started to grow again, 6 years after menopause.  Now, I'm on Femara and Zometa, and am NED.  The little suckers are starved for estrogen, at least for now.  I'm grateful to have Femara, and that it's working.  We still produce estrogen, even after menopause.  I know.......lots to think about for those out there who are ER+.  We just never know!  My best to everyone.

Lane 

I am hoping to have a 2nd opinion too. but probably after my surgery next Monday (?). Who should I ask for when request a 2nd opinion, the surgeon who will operate on me, my family doc, or the oncologist my surgeon will hook me up? Thanks so much.