who else has had this form of breast cancer and what treatment did you have?
i just want to know what options i have etc
thanks alot to those who reply
FormerMember
Hi,
Its a weird thing DCIS. I was diagnosed after a core biopsy found some ADH - atypical ductal hyperplasia. I was referred to a lovely breast surgeon who explained the protocol is to do a wide local excision under a general anaesthetic to remove it and check there isn't anything else suspicious there. This was in November 14.intermediate grade DCISwas found, and the surgeon recommended a further WLE, purely because the DCIS was found " some distance " away from the original core biopsy track. The surgeon explained to me that ADH and DCIS and invasive cancers are on a spectrum, in that order, and that they could go on to develop into invasive BC if left alone, but equally they might not, there is no way of knowing!. I'd never heard of DCIS or ADH, I have only recently turned 40, and was referrers to the breast clinic for what turned out to be a cyst, which was drained and fine. Behind the cyst, was a fibroadenoma, and the ADH and DCIS were in the same area. It's a lot to take in, especially as you are told it's not really cancer by some people, and that you should be feeling lucky! Well, I'm afraid to say I wasn't feeling that lucky following the second WLE! But at the same time I know it could have been worse.
I understand the main treatment options for DCIS are surgery,followed by a short course of radiotherapy. A lot depends on the size/ amount of DCIS that is found, and the grade: whether it's high, intermediate or low. I have both intermediate and low grade DCIS. A tiny speck of low grade (0.3mm) was found in my second WLE. I'm waiting to hear if I'm having radiotherapy, because the margins were clear, the surgeon was really pleased and didn't think radiotherapy would be needed. I'm nervous and worried about this, as everything I've read suggested that the best outcomes for DCIS are from both surgery and Radiotherapy, in terms of lowest rates of recurrence. I was happily plodding along with life, as you do, running around after the kids, in the middle of a house move, working full time, when suddenly I found myself on this conveyor belt of surgeons, surgery, recovery,maybe radiotherapy. All since the beginning of November 14! The care I've had has been nothing short of amazing, and the speed at which things started to happen, I think I'm only just now beginning to let it sink in! What with Christmas and New Year. About an hour after the first appointment with my surgeon, I had completely forgotten most of what she said, please make sure you take someone with you to your appointments, that's the best advice I can give. If you have to have surgery, rest. You will be fed up at times, but the more you can rest, the quicker you can recover. I wish you well, xxx
<p>Hi Jojo, The blog you have replied to is quite old. If you have any doubts, concerns or questions do please come and join us all in the <strong><a href="/cancer_types/breast-cancer/default.aspx" title="Breast Group" target="_blank">Breast Group</a></strong> (link) You'll get plenty of friendly advice from those in similar situations if you just want to chat about it ?</p>
