DCIS in situ with +ER & +PR receptors

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middleagedmama
middleagedmama Member Posts: 46
edited March 2015 in Just Diagnosed

I was diagnosed this last week with DCIS in situ with +ER &+PR receptors.  They took 2 biopsies, one in the duct and one outside.  The one inside the duct tested positive for cancer and the one outside did not.  They had found new Micro calcifications in a cluster on my left breast so that led to more imaging and then a stereostatic needle biopsy.  I have mammograms every year so this is new at least I hope.  I have very dense breasts so it is common for me to be called back for more imaging.  The biopsy was new this year haven't ever had to have one before. 
I have an appointment scheduled with a surgeon this week.    Does anyone know what my next step will be?  Will there be more testing or do they pretty much go for surgery next? How do they tell how much you actually have? I am trying to stay positive but the not knowing is making me crazy!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2015

    Calcifications are not uncommon but clusters need to be checked. The mammograms are having greater definition and resolutuon, so are finding more spots to check to catch DCIS while still contained within the duct, which is good news.

    Waiting for results is a very stressful time and you'll get sympathy from others on this forum as they've been through the waiting too. It is not an easy time at all.

    If it is DCIS, it is not invasive and should be able to be removed without problems. Read about people's experiences with DCIS here DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ).

    Welcome to BCO but we're hoping it is a benign result with no node involvement..

    The Moderators
  • sugartoes
    sugartoes Member Posts: 39
    edited March 2015

    I went through something similar as you. I had a mammogram and they found microcalcifications in clusters in BOTH. I have dense and fibrocystic tissue and I have had mammos yearly for about 20 years. I never 2 lumpectomies removed at age 22 and 27 and 3 cysts drained. I have never had micocalcifications before. I then had a stereotactic biopsy on both and was diagnosed as having DCIS on my left with microinvasion and DCIS on my right. The next step was seeing a surgeon and oncologist. The surgeon is very thorough and wants everything covered before surgery. I had a chest x-ray which was negative. I had then an MRI done and then it depends what shows up on the MRI. My MRI showed that the left with microinvasion was gone (must have been all taken care of when the stereotatic biopsy sucked me dry in that breast) and my right still showed residual. I also had thickening in lymph nodes in both armpits of my arms. I then had to have an lymph node ultrasound with possibly lymph node biopsy. Then I saw the oncologist who told me if I elect to have a lumpectomy, then I will have to have radiation every day for 6 weeks and then take tamoxifen for 5 years, or I could elect to have a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction and that is it. Nothing else. No chemo, no radiation, no tamoxifen. I had a choices to make and I had plenty of options since having cancer in both breasts. I could have lumpectomies in both or lumpectomy in one and mastectomy in the other or both mastectomies. Here is my blog. http://www.dcisearlystage.com/2014/09/05/mammogram-results-september-2014/ I was lucky because cancer was caught early because of my yearly mammograms. You are not alone in this journey. There is a lot of information on this board. I had to be my advocate and figure out what was best for me, lumpectomies or mastectomies.

  • middleagedmama
    middleagedmama Member Posts: 46
    edited March 2015


    Thank you so much for your response.  I never imagined I would be going through this. It is nice to hear what to expect as far as the next steps. Your information definitely helps! I welcome the information.

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