Why such a rush for a non invasive cancer?

I found a lump, went to GP, had mammo, ultrasound, Biopsy, results June9th 2011, surgeon app June16th, Surgery June 22nd, started chemo August 4th and just finished yesterday..... The rush is because BC is nothing to mess with..... they want it OUT and dealt with NOW before it gets worse, In a 1 cm tumor there are 1 BILLION cancer cells!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  and it goes up from there.... and yes with out treatment of any kind there is a chance for reoccurance.......... Please follow all your options, and get as much info as you can!!!! 

Kate, DCIS is non-invasivie and for that reason you have a little time before rushing into surgery. Before going into surgery do your homework. Research the pro's and con's ... and side effects to all treatments. The only change I would had made knowing what I know now is to do a mx at the second dx. If you don't want to do treatments then perhaps the best route to go is a mx. Make sure whatever happens it's your decision.

I think the issue is as Stage1, above, implied, but I'll re-state it.

Your biopsy showed pure DCIS, but an aggressive form. If that's all it is, no biggie. However, you won't have a final diagnosis until you get the pathology from the surgery. It's very likely the pathology won't change, but in a few cases (like Stage1 said) it turns out that there was some invasive cancer which wasn't seen in the biopsy. 

When you have grade 3, the likelihood of there being some hidden invasive cancer is greater than if your biopsy showed grade 1 or 2.

I do agree with you that there's no reason for you to rush off to the hospital in an ambulance, but I also understand your doctor's caution. The reason the doc is concerned is because of the grade 3 and because s/he can't be absolutely certain that the tumor has no invasive component.

Hope that helps. 

Yes, DCIS by definition is non-invasive, contained within the ducts.  However, with a biopsy, you cannot be sure that all the tissue was removed, so your docs don't know if there is something more in the breast until more definitive surgery (lumpectomy or MX) with good margins is completed and that specimen is fully analyzed.  In approximately 10-20% of cases the final pathology reveals an invasive component.  The risk for something invasive being found is higher for those with Gr 3, comedonecrosis, or multicentric disease.  Even so, in general you have time to research and learn about your diagnosis and treatment options, so don't jump to the other side and freak out.  Take your time to become informed, but don't blow it off as if it is nothing.   Hope this helps! 

Oh, I WISH things were moving more quickly! I was dx on 9/15 with DCIS, Grade II, but later they found small areas of IDC.

I was scheduled for BMX on 10/31, but had to reschedule for 11/8 because of BS and PS coordination.

I got sick with the flu, and had to cancel 11/8 and reschedule for 12/5!!!! Yikes - I know it's a "slow growing" cancer, but I want it out. Now. And yes, it's true - they won't really know what's in there until the BMX.

Believe me, once I had made the decision as to which surgery to have, I was ready to go.

Wishing you the best!

I also had DCIS grade 3 over 6+ cm in large dense breasts. The mammogram showed calcification in the left breast with very little in the right breast. From diagnosis to my surgery on 11/14/11, there was less than 6 weeks in between. My BS said we could put it off for a short while but I am very practical and wanted it out so I can start recovery. I have elected a bilateral mastectomy with TE. I do not regret my decision for any of it and I am on the road to recovery! Good luck and talk with your surgeon about their reason as to why the rush.

AussieKate, you remind me of myself.  I am typically level-headed and positive as well.  I had a doctor tell my husband that I am in denial (because I didn't rush onto the operating table). They have to try and protect themselves from lawsuits, as well as their patients, so I understand their urgency.  I have to say I did panic somewhat when I was first diagnosed with IDC.  Two years into it and over the initial fear, my advice to someone first diagnosed, especially with stage 0 or 1, is NOT to rush into things.  I am so glad that I did not rush, as my doctors wanted.  I would have made decisions based on my fear and not based on facts, decisions I would have regretted.  Do your homework then make an educated decision on how to move forward.  Of course dont ignore DCIS.  Regardless of whether it's invasive, it is your body's way of telling you there is something wrong and you need to make changes.  Best of luck to you!

He said it was going to be like getting onto a bus, only I don't know where it is going... very early days indeed.

AussieKate - In my mind, I am tweaking your doctor's analogy - it is more like mapquest or google directions - you will be given choices to get to your destination - NED No Evidence of Disease.
At this point you don't know which route you will be taking - when all the facts are in (your point A)  your route choices will have some trips shorter than others, but they are all to the same destination and you are the driver of that bus. 

Good luck, 

Julie E

Sorry to hear the cancer was invasive.  Good luck on the reduction! I had a uni-MX on my left and my right was reduced/lifted and I LOVE it   It is awesome.