3.1 mm invasive w/ DCIS & LCIS

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ketch
ketch Member Posts: 157

I have chosen to have BMX. One surgeon said it was overkill, 2 others have agreed with me that regarding BMX. I do not want to live Mammogram to mammogram. During the MRI, they found another spot with a recommendation for biopsy, but since I chose the BMX they said no need to do that. Prelim path report was inconclusive to receptors so they will do that with the BMX.

Since I just have a spot of invasive cancer, does chemo seem to be in my future? I know alot will depend upon the hormone receptors.

I am meeting with the surgeon & onocologist on Tuesday and just want to brace myself (and esp my mom) for anything prior to the meeting. I've stated that if I need to take chemo as a preventive then I would. I do not want to take tamoxifen, as I saw its effect on my aunt, but you have to do what you have to do.

Comments

  • jacee
    jacee Member Posts: 1,384
    edited December 2011

    ketch-  Your nodal status will be a big factor in whether or not you need chemo. I'm assuming they will do a sentinel node biopsy. 

  • momof3boys
    momof3boys Member Posts: 896
    edited December 2011

    If your SNB is negative, they will do (or ask them to) Oncotype testing. This will give you and them an excellent picture of what your recurrence rate is, and via that rate, a recommended treatment plan, if needed.

  • peggy_j
    peggy_j Member Posts: 1,700
    edited December 2011

    Based on what you've said, it may be too early for your MO to make a recommendation. He/she will probably want to see the final pathology report, the status of the sentinel nodes and the Oncotype results. (if you want a data point, my tumor turned out to be 0.5 mm IDC, the invasive kind, but grade 1 and 0 nodes, and my MO dis-recommended chemo, so it does happen sometimes. I was 46 at Dx. The docs said that being young can tip the recommendation in favor of doing chemo since young women have longer life expectancies, but the small size and low grade over-ruled that). FWIW, I was worried about taking tamoxifen but I'm 6 months in and the SEs have calmed down. (they vary significantly between patients, it seems). Good luck with your surgery.

  • dougieswife
    dougieswife Member Posts: 171
    edited January 2012

    I was diagnosed in October.  I elected a BMX as well...for the same reason.  I am glad I did because I had some atypical cells already in the left.  (Right side was the one with cancer)  I, too, had about a 3.5cm tumor outside the duct but the right side had a lot of DCIS.  I was told had I waited even a month longer, I would have had a much different prognosis.  

    A lot will depend on your receptor status, the grading (how fast it grows), and the node status as to whether or not you will need chemo.  Doing the BMX got rid of the cancer, the chemo treatments are to ensure that it doesn't come back.

    Waiting is the worst part of it all.  Hang in there!!!  

  • DocBabs
    DocBabs Member Posts: 775
    edited January 2012

    I' m surprised to hear that your doctors think a BMX for an invasive cancer is overkill. My tumor was small too, 4.4mm and it was completely removed by the biopsey however we didn't know that till the time of the BMX.I saw the final path report that stated that there was no evidence of carcinoma in the breast. However, the right breast which had always been negative on all studies showed areas of LCIS.I was being followed for LCIS/ in the left breast for the past 3 years.So in answer to your post, you will have to wait till after surgery and all the studies are in, oncotype etc, before they can decide whether or not you will need chemo.I tucked that thought in the back of my mind just in case it turned into a reality and fortunately it didn't't. Good luck to you.

  • Chocolaterocks
    Chocolaterocks Member Posts: 364
    edited January 2012

    Ketch

    goodluck- 3.8mm of ILC and I also had a bilateral w/ one step immed reconstruction. Cancer wise, no regrets with choice of treatment.  Lots of LCIS in biopsies.  It is a difficult road and I do wish you the best.  I also had oncotype done as well (score of 1) and recommend the test and do not let them tell you it cannot be done!

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