Anyone with flat epithelial atypia (FEA)?

I had some FEA on my path report on the margins of my lumpectomy specimen, second opinion said ADH - thankfully both felt that a benign pathology did not warrant re-excision.

I would expect that the "over-treatment" they were referring was whether or not to perform an excisional biopsy? close monitoring would likely be another proposed "treatment", and it would really come down to what level of risk you would feel more comfortable with?

Breast abnormalities are so tricky. The imaging modalities used for watch-and-wait for breast abnormalities are scary and biopsies (even excisional) are actually so low risk that they are often the best solution for peace of mind. I contrast this to bone biopsy (I had a lesion on my hip that we did close monitoring by x-ray every 3-4 months -- this was preferred to an actual biopsy with risks of pain, damage, etc) and even prostate (where biopies/excision can cause permanent impotence).

For me, I was not worried about having FEA/ADH in the margins ... and I am completely without fear during my follow-up exams, but I know other women who have much lower tolerance than me, and they deserve peace of mind.

Anytime that an option is given that refers to a mastectomy it is beyond trivial. Furthermore, tamoxifen is not an easy choice either, and has a whole host of possible side effects. I am sorry you are going through this, your family history must be quite pronounced for either of these options to be given to you ... and 6 month MRI/mammograms as well. The only real advice I can give you is for you to find a doctor that you trust, one that listens to you, treats you with dignity, and one that gives you all the information you need to make the best decision for you.

You might want to look through the hormonal therapy threads to see if anyone there has been, or is, in the same situation as you.

Best of luck, stay healthy, be happy.

it is doubtful that tamoxifen last year would helped your diagnosis this year, since DCIS is typically a slow occurring event it is much more likely that it was there last year and simply not caught. Was your current diagnosis found via MRI guided biopsy?

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Good luck to you.

Hi, and welcome to Breastcancer.org. It sounds as though your medical teams are being responsive and acting properly to assess what they've found, and that's great.

Please read What Mammograms Show: Calcifications, Cysts, Fibroadenomas. and Keeping an Eye on Benign Breast Lumps is Safe Alternative to ... from the main Breastcancer.org websie.

We wish you all the best and benign results on any biopsies.

The Mods

FEA was found in my left breast, and since i have invasive ductal carcinoma in my right breast, my surgeon did an excisional biopsy last week. i'm waiting on the pathology results.