Pathology post UMX & immediate recon for DCIS - need advice

Options
40wDCISnowIDC
40wDCISnowIDC Member Posts: 45
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

What questions should I ask surgeon tomorrow when I meet to discuss pathology report post UMX. I am just days out of the hospital for mastectomy and I mediate reconstruction (DIEP). He called to say they found more extensive DCIS than expected AND found a small amount of Invasive breast cancer too. He will refer me to an oncologist. Now scared out of my wits, don't know what to expect and want to be prepared for what questions to ask. I have two very young children and can't bear the thought of this affecting them more even after this surgery! Thanks in advance.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • MNSusan
    MNSusan Member Posts: 305
    edited May 2013

    I also had a mastectomy for DCIS and the pathology found a 1.1cm IDC.  The first thing to find out is whether they did a sentinal node biopsy and the results.  My node was negative.  Because I had an invastive component with negative nodes, my BS sent the tissue out for Mammaprint testing.  It includes 72 genetic tests and gives you an indication of whether chemo would be helpful.  Mine came back as low risk of recurrence, so I was done with mastectomy - no chemo, no radiation.

    So the questions I would ask are:

    Was there a sentinal node biopsy and what were the results?

    Am I a candidate for Mammaprint testing?

    There is also a test called Oncotype but I don't know as much about that one.  It gives you a score that helps determine if chemo is indicated.  Check out the threads in the Help Me Get Through Treatment secion, and you might also want to check out the IDC section.

    I think there are lists of questions to ask your doc on breastcancer.org too. 

    We're here for you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories