Can this be anything but cancer

[Kathy320]

I had a stereotactic biopsy and the report shows lobular carcinoma in situ, atypical ductal and lobular hyperplasia, atypical sclerosing papillary lesion and radial scar.  Quite a lot going on.  Tomorrow I am having a surgical biopsy. I have read about this a lot and I feel I will probably need a masectomy and perhaps both breasts removed.  Please give me your opinion.  I am not scared and I am pretty much sure my surgeon will want to do a masectomy just to prevent cancer if anything.  Can I request a bilateral masectomy so I don't need to worry about the other breast.  I also feel reconstruction will be better that way.  However, of course, my health is my concern. Please let me know your thoughts.  

[zouzi]

Japdip is absolutely right.My surgeon who is a specialist in breast cancer told me that I had in my 8mm lump IDC (Invasive ductal carcinoma) and DCIS,like you have... except that mine was ductal and yours is lobular .She said that both are cancer but that the DCIS is confined and not invasive.I also just emailed a doctor GP who is a very good friend of mine and he confirmed that indeed it is exactly as Japdip explained it to you.I hope this helped for better understanding.Take care.

[japdip]

LCIS is Lobular Carcinoma (cancer) Insitu (contained within the lobule) Carcinoma is cancer.  I'm sure the Pathology examination of the tissue from your Lumpectomy will settle things for you as far as the other issues are concerned.   Regards ....

[Kathy320]

LCIS states lobular carcinoma in situ but it is not really cancer.  It is possible pre-cancer as I have been told by several doctors.  I am concerned about the other issues I am having besides the LCIS.  All of it is really a bit much to show up on one stereotactic biopsy.  I had a lumpectomy Monday and I am waiting for results.  

[japdip]

Your subject question of "can it be anything but cancer" confuses me as you already have the diagnosis of cancer stated in the Path report from your Stereotactic Biopsy. I think you will more than likely be having a lumpectomy rather than another biopsy. Often the terms are interchangable. You can of course have a mastectomy or even a bilat. mastectomy if your Surgeon agrees that this procedure is necessary. Unless you were gene tested for the BC Gene and were positive I don't really see the necessity for such drastic surgery from your Path. report.  You may well be advised to have some additional treatment following the surgery tomorrow.   Best Wishes .......