help me understand dcis

The description of DCIS on this site through the link given to me Dec 2nd on this thread was helpful. You state yours is grade 3 (DCIS - stage 0, grade 3 same as mine). Site indicates that this is high grade, meaning the cells are rapidly multiplying. That puts you at a higher risk than if lower grade, but as noted above, it is really important if they got it all in lumpectomy (clear margins and no other areas of DCIS). If I had to make the decision, I would take the info on grade into consideration in how agressive to go - in my case my surgeon said radiation would not have been enough and it was a good thing we did mastectomy because he would have had to go back and do a second surgery.  Could be mine was determined to be more spread out than anticipated prior to surgery and testing. (as an aside - mine wasn't even visible on mammogram, if it hadn't been for the Paget's that developed which causes bloody discharge from the nipple, they wouldn't have even done a needle biopsy this fall  - I was very lucky)

Dancetrancer and Cycle-path,

Thank you for your input as well.  I will certainly explore the online prediction tool when I get the results this week.  It is good to know all of you are out there supporting one another, including me.

stac, take a look a the new thread that I started about the Oncotype test being used to determine if radiation is required after a lumpectomy for DCIS.

cynsister, my DH tells me that but he's really really biased. So thank you! 

Ok, I've read this. Just got the dx today, so my head is spinning and I am all over the place emotionally right now.

Mine showed a microfoci of invasive mamary carcinoma. So that would be the same as Beesie?

Since I have had 2 aunts (one died from IBC that returned in the breast that remained) the other had another type BC & took chemo, I tend to want a full mastectomy. (My GP who is my neighbor told me that is what he would do--I am friend's with his daughter, so he said he would go that route even though he is a GP and told me he was not really "up" on the procedures and to talk to the general surgeon they set me up with next week as a start). Given the aunt situation and the fact that other cancers are present in the family, I am strongly leaning that way. Plus, I do not think I can live with the constant wondering if it is coming back elsewhere. Both breasts are dens. 

I probably should just be reading right now, rather than asking all type questions. I am not able to really focus, but had made my mind up if anything, even pre-cancer, I would go this route. At 52, I figure I have alot more life in me and my breasts are not that big of a deal. I would probably opt for reconstruction which is another ball of wax.

Does this sound sensible??

OMG...Yes. I had a mastectomy for DCIS and then tested postivie for BRCA2+ and had a full hysterectomy within a month of the mastectomy (I was 53 and fearful of ovarian cancer)..........I was angry for months (still am). My friends and family are tired of hearing about it. They keep saying "Your cancer free" and do not want to hear my anger and repetitive questions of why. Luckily I live by myself, so I have my little angry moments and nobody has to be subjected to my wrath. When my sister had breast cancer, she had to go through chemo and rad and I made it clear to her that we could talk about it anytime she needed to. Also, I agree with you, since I did not have chemo and rad people think I should be grateful..Yes, it could have been worse, but we need to grieve also,

I was at a Christmas dinner and a friend of mine told me about a girl she works with who is going through chemo. She is going to invite her to a New Years party and said. "I will invite you if you dont talk about breast cancer". I said, "I will if the girl wants to"......

Hi, I am new on this forum but need to talk to other women who r in my situation. I also have DCIS w/ suspicious microinvasions. I cannot stop looking at this path report from surgery!  I am sitting waiting to hear from my dr going crazy. I am scheduled for another surgery this friday. Is this too soon from last one? Left in limbo

I think it is natural to check and re-check your pathology report. You want to know you have the full story of your condition. I found the descriptions on this site of each type of bc very helpful.