Just diagnosed - myoepithelial cells

Hi Nadiakay:

So sorry about your mom's diagnosis. It is a lot to absorb. Re your question about "P-63 and CD-10 highlight myoepithelial cells around the duct", I believe that this observation supports the finding of "no evidence of microinvasion". The ducts are surrounded by an outer layer of myoepithelial cells. When the tumor cells are confined to the inside of the duct as in DCIS, the ducts have an intact layer of myoepithelial cells. When there is invasion, the cancer cells break through the wall of the duct breaching the myoepithelial layer. p63 and CD-10 are used to better visualize the myoepithelial layer as part of this assessment.

As for the diagnosis changing from DCIS to IDC, I found an article which said that approximately 25% of DCIS diagnosed by core needle biopsy may be found to have invasive component. A rather more favorable statistic looked at "women with a minimally invasive biopsy showing DCIS who are being treated with BCS" (breast conserving surgery): invasive cancer was found in "10% to 20% of cases overall, approximately half of which are limited to micro invasive cancer".

I don't think that is a huge amount of DCIS. I had 5+ centimeters on both sides!

Hormonal therapy would not typically be used for ER and PR negative disease; however, this will be checked again with the surgical samples.

It is a good idea to review any questions about the pathology report with the breast surgeon, including the ones above, since we are just laymen reading things on the internet!

You could also consider obtaining a second opinion prior to surgery, which would include a review of the pathology slides (sent overnight to another pathologist), all imaging, and related written reports.

During my diagnosis and after surgery, I yearned to talk about and do normal things to get a break. I think the new baby will be wonderful for this, and you and your mom will be able to find joy in that.

BarredOwl