dcis grade 3

Julie E,

   I also have DCIS..just done with the Lumpectomy 4 days ago still in recovery..Just would like too to know how did your treatment been..We have very same path dx..My oncologist recomended for rads and probably tamoxifen. But dont know yet till i see the surgeon on how did the surgery went if it is clear or not..So you're in on tamoxifen now right?..How did the radiation went for you?..am a little bit apprehensive about the side effect..Did you have any problem with the rads?..I would appreciate if you could give me some advice with regards to all these procedures..Thanks!

Hello,

I too have recently been diagnosed with High Grade DCIS.  I had a 3cm lumpectomy, but margins were positive.  I then had an MRI to determine the extent of the DCIS before further surgery. (I do wonder why an MRI isn't offered before the first surgery..) I return next week for further surgery and hopefully clear margins.  I have been told that I will need 5 weeks of radiotherapy, but have not had the opportunity to meet with an oncologist or any other doctor.  I live in a rural area and will have to relocate for treatment.  With four children, I am trying to find out how others cope. 

rachelA44 - I have 4 kids as well and finished my rads over the summer.  I started the week before the kids got out for summer break (3 of the 4 are school age) and had to do the rest with them home.  It was hard.  Some days my dh could keep them, some days my neighbor watched them and some days they had to go with me.  The treatments themselves are very quick.  The fatigue didn't hit me until the end.  I am now 3 1/2 months out and feeling about 90% back to normal.  Hard to days what is rads fatigue and what is 4 kids fatigue!  My kids are 11,9,7, and 4.  Best of luck to you,

Linfer7538-

28/8boosts radiation. experience similar to Layne157's except the tan only lasted a year. also left side. I think women are now advised to hold their breath during the actual radiation zap (seconds) as a protection against the rads hitting the heart - brilliant!!!  I would have radiation in the morning and then go kayaking with my husband - meaning alot of upper body motion almost every day.  I slathered my breast with calendula cream at night after my shower and then early morning at least 3 hours before treatment)  I used 100% aloe vera gel which I brought to treatment and slathered on after treatment when I was getting back into my street clothes and then at least one time during the day. the boosts left the most redness. I was 59 when I started tamoxifen and had been having hot flashes for a few years - they had changed over time, with the season, whatever. I can't say what the tamoxifen has changed with regards to hotflashes. My endometrial lining is being watched via transvaginal ultrasound and I am a little "wetter" down there, which is a good thing!!! 

if you use the search function at the top of the discussion board and look for van nuys, you will find many threads in which the need for radiation is discussed. Dr Silverstein developed the Van Nuys Prognostic Index (VNPI) which can be used to determine whether radiation is necessary after lumpectomy for DCIS. The variables are woman's age, size and grade of tumor and margins.  I expect Swalters will chime in on this thread to mention Dr. Lagios who provides second opinions to DCIS patients on the questions of whether radiation is necessary. 

There is another thread on the DCIS board about radiation after mastectomy. Sometimes radiation is recommended for women who had mastectomies even when their initial diagnosis was DCIS. I strongly recommend looking through the various threads on the DCIS board here, posts by Beesie are especially informative.

hugs to all!

Julie E

I was dx with DCIS grade 3 on my left breast over 3 weeks ago. My BS said I need a mastectomy because of multi focal areas and I have very small breast. After seeing the PS whom my BS referred, my surgery with be in less than 2 weeks. My BS will also do a Sentinel Node Dissection just to be sure the BC  didn't spread and my treatment plan will be based on the resuIt. I will have  immediate reconstruction with TE  and second surgery for my implants including the good breast. Has any one had  similar procedure ?  Would appreciate any suggestion. I am still wondering if I am moving too fast with my decision but somehow just feel I need to get this over with.

RachelA44,   

I have 3 kids(13,10,9)  and did rads over the summer. The people there were great and told me if was fine to bring my kids. They could wait in the waiting room while I had my treatment which only lasted about 10 min.  They couldn't come to the second waiting area which was where the patients sit in their gowns until called by the rad therapists. As it turned out I only brought them once . But, the whole environment was supportive.l

You are right about the MRI, I got mine BEFORE surgery. They look for hidden areas of invasive cancer with the DCIS or other cancer sites, and the size of the DCIS. 

  I actually didn't meet with an Oncologist until after I finished my rads. I am still unsure if I want to take the Tamox.

I was dx in November last year with a mix of grade 2 and 3 DCIS.

There was no way I wanted to have the Rads if I could help it, so a Mx was a no brainer for me.

I had the surgery on the 19th December and really haven't looked back. I chose not to reconstruct, which makes for a much faster recovery.

My final Pathology showed pure DCIS. My surgeon gave me the all clear, no other treatment necessary. I will be followed up every 6 months.

Welcome Momof3 and Phillydog to our community. We are sorry that you have joined, but you will find a amazing group of people here!!

Gentle hugs from your Mods

Hello Michelle



It was pretty amazing to have the exchange. I was really nervous before the surgery, I think even more than my original MX. I remember that the TEs felt like coconut husks velcroed to my chest. They were tight and fairly uncomfortable.



I think I felt the difference as soon as two days after my surgery, but the real difference was at my one week follow up. The first time I actually saw my chest was amazing! It did still take a while for everything to become my "new normal"' however. Even now, I find that if I overdo, I get tightness in my chest and under my arms.



My breasts are fine under my clothing, and I don't think I'll need significant revision, if any in the future. My next PS appointment will be in June and we will discuss nipple reconstruction and eventually tattoos. I definitely could stop now and be fine with my Barbie breasts, but I do want to finish the job.



Good luck to you in your exchange! How soon will you be doing it?



Lizzie