DCIS

Hi 

Firstly, the whole breast cancer (or any cancer) diagnosis is full of uncertainty, but   DCIS is not invasive so hasn’t yet become fully cancerous, so the likelihood is very remote that there will be a spread to the lymph nodes from just DCIS. Sometimes there maybe an element of invasive cancer mixed into the DCIS, and sometimes this doesn’t show on any scans, so there is an element of risk there. Of the three people I know (including myself) who had nothing show in the lymph nodes pre-op, none of us had any cancer in the nodes found. Mine was HER2+ G2 mixed with extensive DCIS, my mums G1 Er/PR+ my friend had a 3 cm lump , grade 3, triple negative but no spread. 

No guarantees obviously , and things can change when the pathology is done after the operation, but I would have thought you have a very remote chance of any lymph node invasion, given what you have said.

Good luck for tomorrow 

Jo x

Thank you so much Jo. I suppose it is that uncertainty that is tough. I like to be in control and I have none at the moment. Much appreciated!

Hi Capazi

hopr you don’t mind me gatecrashing your post. My BC was confirmed as high grade DCIS last week. 3.5cm. Lumpectomy 24th May then planned radiotherapy. No indication of cancer in the lymph nodes. Didn’t give me ER or PR status and forgot to ask. Interested you are having sentinel node biopsy as this seems common in others I’ve spoken to even with lower grade DCIS but my consultant told me it wasn’t necessary. Hope your surgery goes well tomorrow! 

• Hi Rosa! Well, I am home and had my surgery today. Pain is minimum but have massive headache and can't sleep even though I am SO tired. I was initially told it might not be necessary to do sentinel node biopsy but it seems to be standard from what I read and I had it done today. For me personally, it is an added layer of confirmation that the DCIS has definitely not spread so I was glad it was offered.  Read up a bit more and then decide if you think you might ask again about having it done. Do ask about hormone receptors. I have the double positive and from what I understand it does make it more treatable and preventable with hormone therapy. My DCIS was also intermediate grade, which could be another factor in the biopsy. Yours might be low grade. Please do keep in touch as i would love to know how you are coping and how it is going.  We will get through this!!

Sorry Rosa, just seen that it is high grade. I missed that. I think you need to investigate a bit more and if you feel more qt ease having the biopsy done, ask for it

Hi there

so glad you’re through the surgery and feel not too bad. Will definitely phone to ask re the hormone receptors and SN biopsy

Take it easy over the next few days. Do you have to do and radiotherapy or are you waiting for follow up apt to find out? 

Definitely 5 days radiotherapy but based 9n results of clear margins there might be some invasion, which will then change the plan. I truly hope it is not the case but what can we do?

All you can do is take it as it comes and stay positive! Take care x