DCIS with masectomy needs radiation?

Hello everyone

I am in the process of treating DCIS. It is of a high grade in 2 quadrants of my breast. Although my breast surgeon has offerred to do a lumpectomy with radiation, he does not feel that this would lead to a pleasing cosmetic appearance to the breast and has also suggested a masectomy. Although I was upset at first, I have resigned myself to the fact that this is necessary. I was under the impression that once I had a masectomy, I would no longer need radiation. However, I have read on some of these posts that women have radiation after masectomy but I don't understand exactly what is being radiated since there is no breast tissue remaining. My breast surgeon is on vacation and will not be back until Aug 31 so I have no one to ask at the moment. Thanks for all of your help in advance.

[tina7]

Hi Annie,

I had extensive DCIS, grade 3 (the highest grade) throughout my entire left breast.  I also had something in the right breast which initially did not show up in the mammogram but showed up in the MRI.  I had to have a mastectomy to the left breast so I chose to remove the right as well.  The surgeon informed me that I would have to have radiation as well after the surgery.  

I too did not understand why I would have to have radiation since they are removing the whole breast  But it all depends what the pathology report states.  Turns out that when the pathology report came in - I was so blessed and lucky that there was no invasive component, no spread to the nodes as well, the margins were close but were considered clear.  My oncologist had the pathology re-run and got the same results, she therefore had 3 of her colleagues look at it and they all decided that I would need no radiation.  I am however, on tamoxifen for 5 years.

Really, at this stage they can only tell you will need radiation, but in theory they won't know anything until after your surgery and after they receive the pathology report.

I know this is hard as I was devastated, but try to stay positive,  At this stage it is DCIS and that is alot better than having invasive breast cancer.  I hope everything goes well for you.  If you have any other questions that I can help you with or if you feel like talking about it - send me a note I would be happy to help you in any way that I can.

God bless.

Tina

[Annie7216]

Thank you for sharing your story. I feel like I'm exhausting everyone with my questions. I am super nervous that my dcis pathology might reveal a more invasive nature and that I would need radiation or even chemotherapy. Chemotherapy definitely scares me more.

Congratualtions on your excellent results. I am so happy for you and wish you only the best. I hope my pathology report comes back clear as well.

How well did you tolerate the masectomies? I am wondering how much time I will actually have to be out of work. I teach so my days end earlier than those who work 9 to 5, but nonetheless I don't know if I can tolerate that long a day. Also if you did a reconstruction can you tell me how that turned out as well.

Thank you so much for responding to my post.

[tina7]

Hi Annie,

I sent you a msg.  Please check your inbox.

Tks
Tina

[tina7]

Hi Annie,

Thats so weird, I can't find the msg either.  I will retype and send it to your inbox.  Please check for it within the next 10 minutes or so.

Sorry

Tina