DCIS: maybe residual, maybe recurrence

CeciliaVera
CeciliaVera Member Posts: 59
edited September 2014 in Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis

Hi all,

After an anxious two weeks from first follow-up mammogram to dx, I now know there is a tiny DCIS about 1 cm from the lumpectomy bed (last year's action: DCIS and IDC, stage 1, grade 2, oncotype 16, er + pr + her2 -, lumpectomy, rads).  The dr I spoke with this morning did not have the entire path report at her fingertips, so I don't know the hormone receptor status or anything else at this point.

For those in the know: there is some thought that this area was "seen before" on the original (2013) mammo, etc--so is that a residual thing and not a recurrence?  It seems better if it's residual; is that right? However, if it was there before, I wonder why it was not biopsied. I was 41 at first dx.  BRCA + panel results come in at the end of August, but MO says I should make an appt with the surgeon for this week. 

Any guesses as to what might happen next?  Can anyone tell me what I need to ask about/find out?  Thanks in advance.  Wishing you all the best.

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  • CeciliaVera
    CeciliaVera Member Posts: 59
    edited July 2014

    PS One more thing--I'm realizing that if this is residual, radiation did not do away with the DCIS (again, it's only 1 cm from the lumpectomy bed).  Original dx was 8/16/13; rads completed late November 2013. 

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  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited July 2014

    CeciliaVera:  Sorry that you are having to deal with this again.  The good news is that is appears to be DCIS and non-invasive.  I believe the prognosis is identical (and excellent) whether or not it is a recurrence, new occurrence or something left untreated from original dx.  I would be shocked to learn that this was something left behind??  And if it was, radiation would not necessarily address this as my RO explained that radiation best treats a few rogue cancer cells but not an actual tumor or identifiable spot, thus the importance of clean margins. Hope you get some answers soon and a new treatment plan that will rid of this for once and for all!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2014

    Just read your post.  I had a very similar experience.  In 2007, had a lumpectomy and rads then my next mammogram in 6 months showed DCIS.  I had very dense breast tissue so in 2008 had bmx and it even had more areas of DCIS.

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