Just diagnosed with DCIS - hoping for non-surgical options

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  • Sekerim
    Sekerim Member Posts: 19
    edited February 2018

    They just numbed the area when they inserted guide wires. It was the exact same procedure as my stereotactic biopsy. I actually thought the biopsy was far more uncomfortable than the guide wire insertion. They bandaged the area, then sent me back upstairs for my procedure. The radiologist decided on where to put the guide wires based on what he was seeing on imaging and the BS decided where to make the incision based on that. He came and talked to me after imaging and prior to the procedure and walked me through his decision and explained everything. As others have stated, your hospital may do the radioactive seed option instead, but in either case the BS decides where to make the incision to get out the lesion with the best possible outcome. In my case I showed up about 8:15 AM, they did paperwork, brought me back and had me wash my torso with surgical soap and started an IV. I had the guide wire inserted at 9:45 (took about an hour since they also do more imagining with mammography) and I was being wheeled back for the LX before 11. My husband was with me in recovery by about 1:15 and I was home on my couch by 2:30.

    I had heavy sedation, for the LX. Similar to a colonoscopy but heavier. Less complications and no breathing tube needed.


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  • Paco
    Paco Member Posts: 208
    edited February 2018

    I had to go in the day before. It was super quick - an hour in all - and fairly painless, as they use a fine needle. Less painful than the biopsy, at least for me. The worst is being squeezed into the mammogram machine, as usual.

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  • DCIS2018
    DCIS2018 Member Posts: 14
    edited February 2018

    I went to see Dr. Julia Smith (MO at NYU) today and really liked her. Seems some form of a surgical procedure is in store for me; not doing anything isn't an option

    The extent of the procedure will be determined by MRI (to get a better picture of where we are today), as well as by genetic testing (to understand my risk in the future). Keeping fingers crossed that nothing additional will be revealed by these two tests and I can just get a tiny lump removed as you guys did and move on with my life.

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  • Nursepatient35
    Nursepatient35 Member Posts: 166
    edited February 2018

    Dcis2018, I'm sorry you have to go through this. There is obviously never a good time in a person's life to go through something like this. My only advice to you is choose a treatment that will give you peace of mind in the future. I was told DCIS is the best kind of cancer to get if you have to get one. Although I never exactly felt "lucky" I was always aware how much worse it could've been. I ultimately chose a bilateral mastectomy which to some may be over kill. However, I never wanted to worry about anything coming back in the future. Go with your gut and what will give you the most peace of mind- whayever treatment option that may be. Right now I'm 1 week post op, I hurt and I have a road ahead of me with the reconstruction process. But....this too will pass, and in the end I can sleep easy knowing I did everything I could to make sure this is the end of it.

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  • kaywrite
    kaywrite Member Posts: 219
    edited February 2018

    DCIS2018 - I am late to this thread, but see many of my same-time diagnosis friends here. (Kelly - you and I are on the same path, but your rads are set up before mine - you go, girl!) You're getting great advice. I'll just add what my surgical oncologist keeps reminding me when I get fearful or imagine the monster to be much bigger than it is: DCIS is the best bad news you can get where cancer is concerned. It is not invasive. Take a deep breath and stay on your course. I felt (we probably all felt) exactly the same in the beginning. Cancer is a scary word, best case or not. We're here for you!

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  • tlfrank
    tlfrank Member Posts: 199
    edited February 2018

    I did not find out about the ER/PR results until after the lumpectomy, Nor did I know going into the lumpectomy that it was DCIS grade 3....the biopsy indicated ADH bording on DCIS. Once the lumpectomy was done, I was married to having rads otherwise I was told the risk of recurrence was too great. I've been on Tamoxifen since 2/15/18....so far side effects are not too bad. I think sometimes that I would have been able to play the wait and see game, the underlying fear might have been too much. If you wait till it's invasive then your looking at chemo too. My situation escalated at each test into something more serious and each new step committed me to taking the next one. I felt, and still do feel very out of control.

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  • MBPooch
    MBPooch Member Posts: 229
    edited February 2018

    DCIS2018 - I found myself in a similar situation in October of last year at 45 years old. I found my DCIS after being diagnosed with Pagets. After diagnosis I did genetic testing (negative) and an MRI. MRI is what revealed my DCIS as well as two other masses that I had biopsied just so I could make the best decision going forward. Even though the other small masses were benign I knew I never wanted to go through the whole process both physically and mentally ever again. I chose a BMX with immediate reconstruction at the end of November, like Nursepatient35 I wanted to make sure I was being as aggressive as possible. As you get through these upcoming tests and weeks, I think you'll find that the way you want to proceed will become more clear. There's no right or wrong, just whatever makes you feel good moving forward.

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  • Dizzybee
    Dizzybee Member Posts: 142
    edited February 2018

    I had a large (5cm) area of grade 3 DCIS and had to choose between lumpectomy and mx. I chose lumpectomy as they told me that outcomes in terms of recurrence are the same. My surgeon used oncoplastic reconstruction techniques to move the remaining tissue around to recreate the breast shape. My only scar is round the areola, so not noticeable. I had to have a margin shave as well, as one margin was too close. My pathology report says the largest sample was 10cm across.

    In terms of cosmetic outcome, I'd advise any woman to trust what your surgeon tells you. It is amazing what they can do, and my breast looks normal despite all the surgery and 15 sessions of rads. I have had reduction surgery on the other side for symmetry, and prefer my smaller and far less droopy breasts.

    I agonized over the decision over whether to have a mx because I really wanted to keep my breast, but I was worried about the cosmetic outcomes with such a large area to remove. It's so difficult to know what to do, but I'm glad I decided to try the lumpectomy.

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