So confused
I was dx with microinvasive ductal carcinoma with associated DCIS in Oct 2011. One lymphnode had micrometastasis - less than 1mm. Stage 1B. I had lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, and one year of Herceptin. From everything I was told, there was a very low chance of recurrence bc it was caught so early and I completed aggressive treatment, chances in the single digits. 7 months after completing Herceptin, they found DCIS after core biopsy (birads 4 on MRI done only bc of highly dense breast tissue). I have been told that I now need mastectomy. What confuses me is how an invasive cancer can recur as DCIS??? I have searched the literature for any information on having DCIS after treatment for invasive cancer and cant find one article. All I can find is information about recurrence of DCIS? My worry is that initially I was dx with DCIS only and thought I would only need surgery. After the surgery they said it was invasive and I would need chemo. i am worried the same thing will hapoen this time. I thought someone may have had a similar experience and might find my post and enlighten me.
Comments
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I am so sorry that this has happened to you. I think you are assuming that your recurrence is DCIS coming from the IDC, when it is really your original DCIS that has recurred, or a new primary diagnosis of DCIS. This could happen because there was DCIS that was missed in the original surgery, or because there was breast tissue that remained and new DCIS grew. Lumpectomy for DCIS has a recurrence rate of 5-15%. Your systemic therapy (chemo and Herceptin) was for the invasive portion of your breast cancer only, and would have been ineffective on your DCIS.
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Oh my gosh! That makes so much sense. Thank you so much. I have been completely unable to wrap my head around this as it came as such a shock. I am praying they dont find any invasive cancer. I have difficult decisions to make about mastectomy and reconstruction, hoping I get lucky and dont have to figure in a second round of chemo so soon. That would be difficult as many here know.
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You are welcome, and again, so sorry that you have to deal with this so soon after your initial treatment. Here's hoping that this is a pure DCIS diagnosis and a surgical fix is all that you require.
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