Is size of DCIS area significant?

This is what is confusing me. I can feel mine have been able to from the start. On the clinic letter it says 65mm by 40mm and at the moment on two biopsies has only shown DCIS / radiographer and Breast surgeon suspect there may be an area of invasion.  Its so confusing when you read most people don’t feel DCIS but that is what took me to Dr in first place as it felt so big and seem to happen so quick. X

Hi Nat43, are you waiting for biopsy results at the moment.

Sharon x

Ive had two biopsies done one showed high grade her 2 ++ and positive to Er and Pr DCIS.  One showed intermediate her 2++ positive to both hormones.  Due to the size of area Im having a single mastectomy and was having DIEP but due to a complicated year with covid and ongoing temps and symptoms, Im having mastectomy and temporary reconstruction first due to long covid. Hopefully within 6-12 months will be well enough for DIEP, plus genetics will dictate whether I have other boob removed and a double DIEP.  From something that supposedly is so small and best to have it feels like a lot right now. X

Yh I am having some difficulty absorbing mine at the moment, will feel better when I have had this vacuum biopsy and move more forward.  What type of biopsy did you have x

Hi Shaz52

I've just read the difference between vacuum and needle.  I gather vacuum is to 'hoover up' more tissue than a needle, which has to be inserted to one area.  So, for instance with a definite area of cancer/DCIS like mine - they clearly knew what they were looking at: -i.e. a lump, being the cancer and my DCIS was large too - so they had quite an area to just shove the needles in.  So, it would suggest to me that as they say they're not sure what it is and it's faint - it's to give them an idea just what it is. 

I think you are over thinking everything because you are panicking and as I mentioned before, no-one can tell you what it is until the biopsy results are in.  You really just have to wait, sorry to say.

However, this is something I tried when I was worried:

Detail every scenario - 1) worst, 2) middle, 3)best.

1) invasive cancer - operation, potential chemo, radiotherapy /  or invasive cancer - operation, radiotherapy, tablets /  or invasive , chemo, radiotherapy / or invasive, chemo, radiotherapy and tablets

2) more DCIS - operation, radiotherapy / or operation, radiotherapy and tablets

3) no more DCIS - operation, radiotherapy for your existing DCIS / or  operation, radiotherapy and tablets

So when I did it, I did:

1)invasive and spread - mastectomy, chemo, radio, tablets

2)invasive - mastectomy, radio, tablets

3) invasive - lumpectomy, radio, tablets

I prepared myself for the middle one (as I knew how large the area was).  

However, because I was 38D, I was spared a mastectomy and it was actually the best case scenario!

So, try now just thinking of the middle case scenario to try and keep yourself calm.  You'll see from your middle option that it's no different to your best case scenario.

Obviously your breast size depends on the operation, but 13mm DCIS  currently identified is pretty small.

Best wishes, Lesley

Hi Nat43

I guess normally DCIS isn't felt but you have such a large area in your breast that this change in the cells must have displayed themselves in a different feeling in your breast.  It makes sense really that DCIS/cancer is a change in the tissue that 6.5cm x 4cm would make it feel different.  I had 2 areas totalling 54mm - so quite a bit smaller than yours  -but then I didn't even feel the  15mm lump either!

It's really good that you felt the difference and it took you to the doctors!  Mine was my first ever mammogram, so if the NHS didn't have this screening program, gosh what a different result it would have been for me.  Awful really, that I nearly didn't bother going as I figured if I had BC, I'd feel ill, so there wasn't much point in going.  I just happened to mention it to a friend that I'd had the call up and she suggested that they wouldn't do them if these things didn't happen, so I might as well take them up on it - phew!

Fingers heavily crossed for you that none of the DCIS has become invasive.  

Best wishes, Lesley

Hi lesley your such an inspiration, thank you, sorry for all the questions, was your lump found generally in the same area of your dcis, how does dcis usually spread.  I am taking your advice on your thinking regime 

Best wishes

Sharon x

Hi Shaz52

I haven't a clue where my cancer was in relation to the DCIS.  DCIS is abnormal cells  - which grows, so the smaller the better because it hasn't grown much.  It can then turn into or not turn into invasive cancer, so it doesn't spread as such.

Hope this helps.

Best wishes, Lesley

Hi lesley,  was just wondering if they have to be in the same area, so your dcis was related to your cancer. x

Hi Shaz52

No, mine were 2 different types.  My cancer was ER/PR+ and my DCIS was ER/PR-.  It's very unusual to have 2 different types.  But everyone is different so to be honest, knowing someone else's diagnosis doesn't really give you much information. 

What you do know is that you have a small amount of DCIS and another area of possible concern - which clearly at this stage they can't even identify as DCIS, hence the vacuum biopsy. So, it is entirely possible that they are being extra cautious just to check it out and it may prove to be absolutely nothing.  Or if it's another area of DCIS - take a look at option 2 of the worst case scenarios

Best wishes, Lesley