LCIS but need surgical biopsy to rule out ductal cancer..

HI Kayla

I know more of the LCIS group will answer but did not want your post to be out with no reply.  Its a very stressful time right now getting bombarded with information and the waiting and then having to make decision. 

I think you will find as you search here and other sources that many have no family hx- that is always the first question asked to me it seems. In your case you now have an increased risk for developing cancer because of the LCIS but also have low family history risk factors. 

It sounds like you have enough questions about your current surgeon's recommendations and the lack of support for MRI that a second opinion might be helpful as it will provide reassurance for your treatment plan or present other options for you to consider. 

The tamoxifen from what I have read is a more "active" treatment than watchful waiting with close observation- some studies show Tamoxifen reducing the risk of developing cancer in women with LCIS by approx. 50%- to me that means whatever your risk is because you have LCIS that risk may be reduced by half. 

As far as staying "normal" its a challenge in this exploratory phase while everything is still being tested and further surgery is needed. My best suggestion is just take one day at a time and make sure you get enough sleep and eat regular meals and stay active to combat all that stress you can't help but be feeling. 

stay in touch and keep us posted

Kayla, i answered you on your Alternative thread.

Also, an MRI can't substitute for an excisional biopsy here. The biopsy needs to be done.

Hi Kayla

I am sorry you are going though this its tough to say the least. I like you had a core biopsy that showed LCIS, I had 2 choices have the area removed (lumpectomy) or wait and see. I chose to have it removed as if it didn't belong there my thinking was get it out! 4 days later they called to tell me I did have LCIS and I also had some dcis and ILC. Big shock as I wasn't expecting that at all. I posted here a lot and learned as much as I could, it wasn't easy to be "normal" I kept thinking wow these women on the boards are so brave, I am not like them, I cannot do this.. I didn't want to scare my husband and kids so I downplayed it and cried in the shower. Its been a year and I know now I was just as brave as them and I could do it, what was my choice? Certainly not to let this ugly disease win. I didn't do chemo as it was not recommended at my age but I did do radiation and I am scheduled for a MX with reconstruction in May. It took me a year to make my decision, but its my decision and I feel good about it. I also refused the tamoxifen, I had my ovaries removed and that severly cut out my high estrogen. That has been tough but again a choice. I cannot say I will never take the drugs offered but right now I feel I have done what I need to do, most importantly educated myself. I wish you the best of luck and strength, I know in the beginning it is so hard.

((HUGS))

HI Kayla

glad to see others with similar experience jumped in to give you their experiences and perceptions.  I have not had an MRI but I am sure that several who have will share what that is like. 

In some ways the unknown is way more anxiety provoking than actually knowing what you are dealing with so you can make a plan.  As many on this site suggest- if you have someone with you who can listen well, write things down and if necessary: hold your hand it will be helpful when you go back and want to remember everything you were told along the way

I made them give me a MRI as I wanted to make sure or as sure as I could my left side was clear. The MRI wasn't bad, lie face down and I think it took about 30 minutes. Waiting for the results is the hard part. If you want a MRI you insist upon it. My BS didn't think it was necessary but it wasn't his body so I got it! Be your own advocate for you, as Smitty said you know your body better than anyone, that's wonderful advice.

I had the IV with contrasting solution, it was no big deal, no reaction. The worst part of the MRI was being facedown, when I looked in the mirror my face looked like a clown from being smashed in a towel! You can do this Kayla.

I had the MRI with contrast.  It was a breeze.  Did not even taste anything when the contrast started.  Worst part was lying there for a long time not being able to move and/or trying not to move, and the music was way too low for me.  I even had an MRI biopsy and honestly, that was a breeze as well.  Hardly felt anything....hope everyone is doing ok today.  Im on a mission to get another opinion of my situation.

Love and Light to all...xo

kayla, good luck with everything...I wish you the most favorable outcome

Kayla, I was put under-not twilight. You will have minimal lifting restrictions for just a few days. I had very little pain for a couple of days. Took a pain pill or two, then Aleve. You do get pretty significant bruising.

I also had conscious sedation during my excision.  Since I had suspicious microcalcifications (which prompted the initial biopsy), I had mammo-guided wire insertion before the excision.  The wire insertion for me was very difficult (painful), but for most people its not more than about a 5/10 pain experience. Once an anesthesiologist got involved (after the wire insertion), all was well.  If I ever have to get another one done, I will bring a bell or rattle so I can communicate my pain without telling them.  (Right before the wire insertion, they said you must promise not to move through the entire procedure.  I knew if I told them I was in pain I would cry, and if I cried my breast would move.) Most people do NOT have as much pain as I did during the wire insertion.

Like awb, I had a chest binder for 2 days, then steri-strips. 

I had a very long day for my breast excision.  I worked the night before (I work the graveyard shift), went at about 9am got into surgery day care to the wire insertion.  Then my breast surgeon had a family emergency, so, knowing I did not want to go through the wire insertion again under any circumstances, I waited many hours for my breast surgeon's availability, so I didn't get discharged from the recovery room until about 8pm.  So I had been up for about 24 hours straight (except for the time I was under conscious anesthesia.) They did NOT let me drive home myself because I had had conscious anesthesia. I went home and slept, then got up for work as usual the next day at 8pm (about 24 hours after I was discharged.)  I drove myself to work.  I probably would have felt better had I stayed out another day, but it was 'do-able'.

I only lift about 3 pounds at work, and I didn't go jogging for about a week.  (I wore a zip-up sports bra 24/7 except showering).  The thing that gave me the most pain relief were tiny ice packs.  Pain pills took too long to be effective.  It looked MUCH worse than it felt.  I got beautiful hematomas, but I got beautiful hematomas for almost all of my biopsies. It took several months for the bruise marks to go away (lots of beautiful autumnal colors - black, blue, green, yellow), but eventually it all went away, and I have only had a very faint pink scar which is very hard to detect.

Leaf, I sure don't want mine done with conscious sedation. I have some weird metabolism thing with one of the drugs so that I don't get the amnesia part.  I can quote the conversations in the procedure room back from IVC filter insertion & removal, a transjugular liver biopsy, and I watched my colonoscopy on the screen & that one hurt. I am officially creeped out.

I am so glad all went well.  We have our fingers crossed for you too.  If your MRI is OK - that's _very_reassuring. 

Great news that your MRI was good!