New here. Just diagnosed DCIS AND IDC

Lynn77,

Do you have both IDC and DCIS? What is the size of each area? is IDC area 4mm? I had multi tumors in the same breast and decided to have mastectomy. But I still had to take Tamoxifen. Having a mastectomy does not eliminate taking Tamoxifen because there are still some breast tissues left after a mastectomy. Please read your report to see if DCIS and IDC are in two different areas in the same breast to figure out how much of the breast is involved. Also, is your tumor estrogen dependent? I hope this helps.

lynn77 --- I know exactly what you are going through and it's a horrible decision to have to make. Take your time -- you probably don't have to rush into surgery --- ask your doctor about that. Mine was slow growing so it's taken me 3 months to decide. Finally decided on a single mastectomy with no reconstruction because I wanted as little surgery as possible. Decided against the lumpectomy because they were going to take out too much tissue and might even have to go back in if they didn't get it all plus 6 weeks of radiation. With the mastectomy everything is done with probably no further treatment. I just wanted it over. Good luck

I have Mixed Connective Tissue Disease that causes skin issues so my doctors recommended mastectomy for me. Some immune disorders are a contraindication for radiation, but there is a lot of discussion around it. The ROs I spoke to told me they wouldn't radiate me unless they had to. Here's an interesting study about the subject: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC42424...

hello sweetie this is what happened with me. Was planning our 2nd marriages when found lump under arm. Diagnosed with idc stage2 0/3nodes 3mo chemo before and after Lmast got married was 42 at time then 7wks rads then 5yrs on Tamoxifen. I am now this yr a 25yr Survivor Praise God Hope Faith and Positive thinking that I would get thru this. Hope this helped.

Well Lynn I've changed my mind again. I posted my thoughts when you first wrote your post. I had decided on a mastectomy. Now I've changed back to a lumpectomy because someone on the board said " start small and go big later if you have to" That made sense to me. However, if you don't have the radiation the lumpectomy won't be as good as a mastectomy. I've decided that since the lumpectomy is such an easy out patient surgery and I get to keep my breast I'll try that first. If I can't tolerate the radiation I'll just get the mastectomy later. That shouldn't make us make these decisions ----- just too hard and stressful

I found getting a second opinion helpful in making my decision. I get them wanting it to be up to us but it really is stressful wondering if you are making the right ones. It gets much easier once you have a plan.

Hello,

Just diagnosed with DCIS, met with surgeon. I have been given the option of lumpectomy with radiation for 6 weeks and taking Arimidex/Femarm daily for 10 years or mastectomy. I am torn on what to do and I am searching for information to help make this very difficult decision. Any feedback is greatly appreciated. TIA

Charlie1966, and Lynn77

Whoa! there're lots of approaches to your dx. I had DCIS in 1989 and had a lumpectomy period. Have never seen a recurrence in that breast. Did have a new primary in 2002 in Rt. breast with lumpectomy [nothing else] and again in 2005 [which I believe was just a continuation of 2002] also treated with just a lumpectomy. That was 13 yrs ago. This year unfortunately a new primary occurred, but I believe it is not related to prior tumors. Don't be overaggressive with treatment that may cause more side effects than benefits.

Ask your surgeon or your med. oncologist "what if you just had a lumpectomy?" so long as you keep track it may not be necessary to be aggressive. They always want to be more aggressive than necessary to CYA.

charlie--just chiming in to say the anti-hormonals depend on whether your tumor is hormone receptor positive, not on what kind of surgery you have. And long-term SEs from radiation are *extremely* rare. The equipment is so good these days--it's difficult to imagine the radiation going anywhere that wasn't intended.

Hi lynn77 and welcome to the club no one wants to join.

I opted for mastectomy over lumpectomy for peace of mind, it's a very personal decision and I wish you the best as you contemplate your options. My surgery is scheduled first week in March.

I'm doing dmx with no reconstruction due to the size of my breasts (rather than umx).I had a paternal aunt and first cousin with bc, and my mom died of female related cancer.

Another consideration was I didn’t want the radiation.

Trust your instincts, whatever decision you make is the right one for you.

Lynn77,

My RadOnc went on a rant to me about women who opt for mastectomies when they could have lumpectomies plus radiation. I was going for the lumpectomy so it was completely gratuitous and I found it kind of disrespectful. I wonder about the gender of your doctors. My RO was my only male doctor and I definitely didn't think he had any insight into the complexity or diversity relationships women can have to their breasts.

On the one hand, don't take the horror stories without a grain of salt. On the other hand, it's your body and your life and your mind and your breasts, and you have to make the decision you want to live with.

I wonder whether you could get a second opinion from a different medical oncologist? To see whether there's anything medical to the recommendation, to hear another perspective on it, to shore you up for going forward with your current one if you want to stay with her? Actually, I wonder if you could find a medical and or radiation oncologist with some actual background or expertise in comorbidity with your specific autoimmune condition? I feel like that would be by far the most useful and compelling.

Lynn77 follow your instincts on this one. Consider the medical information you have been provided. Get second opinions if things aren't clear or you feel your concerns aren't being heard. I, too chose mastectomy partially because my tumor was on my left side close to my chest wall and I did not want radiation over my heart. And I knew going into surgery there was a slight risk that I would still get radiation if margins didn't come back clear. I also had dense breast tissue that was difficult to image. So for a few reasons I felt mastectomy was right for me. Was it the best choice? Only time will tell but I am at peace with it. I hope you find your peace in your decision as well.

Rachelcarter35 you are very correct in that. It isn't a decision to enter into lightly because it is a lot of surgery and a lot of recovery. You lose sensation almost everywhere on your foobs. None of our choices are easy. BC stinks.