Is size of DCIS area significant?

Hi Nat

I'm aimee and I was diagnosed 3 years ago at age 34, I pop on here sometimes to offer support if I can

I had a 1.5cm lump with dcis around it and had a lumpectomy, I had tumour markers inserted during my lumpectomy but not prior. How are you feeling?

Aimee x

Hi Aimee, thanks for your reply. It has felt a little like a rollercoaster waiting for full results. At first they thought just DCIS now consultant is investigating IC.  I hopefully get full results on Wed.    If the second biopsy doesn’t show what the MRI is then consultant may do assisted biopsy MRI, Im hoping not as it will be more waiting.  I know this is about often waiting for results.  Even when they have decided a treatment plan, I appreciate there is more waiting once cancerous area is properly analysed.  My family has had a lot of cancer over past 15 years we have had 18 members effected by cancer.  Mainly prostate and bowel.  So In the beginning I was thinking its like others where its spread to lymph nodes and further.  Just don’t really understand how it can be so big (40mm x 15mm) but still DCIS ( if it shows that on Wed) as I examine myself regularly due to previous cysts.  Only felt this large area in Feb.  Did you have other treatment other than lumpectomy? 

They told me dcis can be like salt and pepper and wide spread, doesn't mean it is cancerous for you but I can appreciate you thinking the worst! Its natural instinct isn't it..hopefully they will have answers for you on Wednesday! I know it's cliche but it does get easier once you have a plan in place and know what's going on..limbo isn't a great place to be I know. 

I had chemo and radio, you can read my story on my biography. I also checked due oto previous lumps etc so that's good that you have done the right thing and gone to get checked. 

Happy to chat more if you need x

Thank you

x

Hi

I had 2 areas of DCIS as well as 1 are of IDC. (nearly 4 years ago). The DCIS in total was 54mm grade 3 ER negative and the IDC was 15mm  grade 2 ER+, so I think it's all very random!   I had 8cm chopped out with 2 markers inserted at the time of the original biopsies.  I think the markers were for the DCIS as the lump could easily be felt, so a lot easier for the surgeon to find when they do the surgery.  It's a bit of devil and deep blue sea - a cancerous tumor is easier to find and operate on because it's a lump, where as, as says DCIS is like salt and pepper, but DCIS is described as non life threatening, hence the devil and deep blue sea bit. Better to have DCIS, but not so easy for the surgeons to get clear margins.

I was lucky that I only needed the 1 wide local excision as the surgeon managed to get clear margins for the 3 areas first go.  And then radiotherapy following surgery.  Treatment plans are guided by any cancer if it's there and then if not, by any findings of the DCIS.  

I was surprised as I'd automatically assumed that it must have been the DCIS that had turned into the cancer, but as it was a totally different type, that clearly wasn't the case.  (I found this out a year later when I requested my records from the hospital). 

The waiting and not knowing is by far the worst bit as you can always only think that it's going to be the worst news, but if they initially thought it was 'just' DCIS, then try to take hope that it's good news that it won't have spread even if they do find that you have a small area of IC.

I hope it's the best possible news for you on Wednesday.

Best wishes, Lesley

Thank you Lesley.  Just waiting for my appointment now so will know a little more hopefully xx

Hi

I really do hope that it's the best possible news that you can get re your diagnosis.  

Thinking of you x

Good luck I’m waiting to go in for a breast mri . Breast cancer really takes a toll on our mental health as well ️

Hi lesleyhelen my results showed 13mm dcis on Wednesday.  But I am having another biopsy done on another area.  Could you feel your lump please, I cannot feel anything.  Very anxious x

Hi Shaz52

You wouldn't feel DCIS as it's a spread of cells which hasn't yet formed into a cancerous lump.  So, 13mm of DCIS is very good news. IF there's another area, let's hope it's nice and small too

I didn't ever check my breasts - and tbh, I still don't check the one that had the cancer 'cause it feels so different from all the treatment, I wouldn't have a clue what's normal and what's not! I rely on my annual mammogram.  I had 15mm cancerous lump and it wasn't until I was back at the biopsy appointment that I felt it because the nurse knew what she was doing and was pressing in the area that had been brought up on the mammogram.  As soon as she pressed there, it hurt - so I figured at that point it wasn't looking good!    

By the sounds of it, your team have identified one area of DCIS and are a little suspicious of another area - which given that it's a second biopsy, it's not showing up as much as the first area - so it does sound promising that it's not an invasive cancer, but still at the stage of pre cancerous.  

When I was radio. I met 2 ladies every session who'd had DCIS and one lady had a small area of DCIS and she showed me her scar - I couldn't barely see it!!!  My breast has a massive scar (3cm) and a huge dent in it - so I was very jealous of her, ha, ha. But I had overall 80mm removed from my breast for a cancerous tumor and 54mm of 2 areas of DCIS.  So, a small amount of DCIS might not result in too much of a scar / changes in your breast too.

Try not to be too anxious as it seems pretty good news that they've identified a small area first for you.

Kindest wishes,

Lesley