LCIS Upgraded on Excision

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Girl53
Girl53 Member Posts: 225
edited September 2015 in Just Diagnosed

Have been posting on LCIS and High-Risk boards but diagnosed yesterday, after excisional biopsy, with multifocial ILC stage one. Apparently, I am one of those LCIS patients with no detectable mass and with pathologic/radiographic concordance (I think this terminology is correct) who still turned up positive for BC.

Fortunately, BC is "tiny" and low grade. I live in a metropolitan area with great breast care center and have a loving, patient, supportive husband. And it's great to be out of the limbo of waiting; got my mammogram callback July 28 due to clustered microcalcifications, had core needle biopsy July 31, and lumpectomy Sept. 3.

Due to LCIS and strong family history, BS and I are discussing whether to do radiation and Tamoxifen/AI, or whether PBM would be better. The latter is reasonable option for someone of my profile, she says. She recommends I get genetic test right away, and on Friday I'll have repeat mammogram and MRI. Will also have SNB.

My mother had an aggressive BC, and my paternal grandmother died of it, and I have multiple great aunts and cousins who have had or died of it. Also have two third-degree relatives with ovarian cancer.

So lucky as BS got clean margins on excision...if I don't choose PBM, I won't need further lumpectomy before radiation.

A signficant factor in treatment decision is that my wonderful first husband had a very long, arduous battle with a brain tumor and passed away 10 years ago. We lived for 14 years on a rollercoaster of dread, anxiety, and the everyday problems of physical limitation, employment difficulties, and financial challenges. Now, I am happily remarried and want to be able to enjoy my life without so much fear and hardship.

Thanks, all. Scared and upset but so glad to be in a supportive place.

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

    Hi Girl,

    We're so sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis, but happy you found our supportive community too! We're sure others will be by shortly to share their insight on helping you make a treatment decision.

    In the meantime, you may want to check out the ILC forum and post your questions there.

    We hope this helps! Please keep us posted on what you decide.

    --The Mods

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  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 961
    edited September 2015

    I am so glad your cancer was caught early and you r getting all the required tests. If I were in your shoes, because it is lobular cancer, this type has an affinity to spread to internal organs including ovaries. You might consider getting them removed. I don't know about lumpectomies & rads, but I would do a mastectomy because your breast tissue grows or can grow more cancer cells. I have had two B.C. and decided off they come. I also decided against reconstruction too. Just make sure they do the SN biopsy first and your chances of long term pain are drastically reduced as I got post mastectomy pain syndrome that resolved after 2 years and that was the deciding factor of no reconstruction.....why kick the dog again? However, with the SN biopsy, hardly any pain. OH and I just read you actually have the IDC version too! Well, follow your instincts but I agree with doctor and take the meds no matter what. They are systemic to GET any floating cancer cells that might have gotten away. No need for chemo but maybe get the oncotype anyways. Even grade 1's can show surprising results.

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  • Girl53
    Girl53 Member Posts: 225
    edited September 2015

    Bluepearl: Thanks for replying, and I am sorry you've had two BCs. Not sure what IDC reference is to; I do not have that. Also re: reference to medications, if I had a PBM (and don't have a node-positive cancer), I wouldn't need hormonal therapy, correct?

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