Ductal Carcinoma In Stitu

[Meemaw]

I have be dianosed with ductal carcinoma in stitu five weeks ago. I have been told that a simple by lateral masectomy without chemo or radiation will take care of my cancer.  My lab report states after my excision biopsy that" I have ductal carcinoma in situ, cribriform patter, modified black's nuclear grade 2 and ductal epithelial hyperplasia with atypia identified in breast parenchyma." scattered and clustered calcifications in glandular spaces mild fibrocystic change and adenosis in breast parenchyma folca secretory change of glandular epithelium noted  surgical margins of resection, no malignancy identifed.

I am at a loss as to what all this means.  When I ask I am told that a simple masectomy will take care of the problem and rid myself of the cancer.  *note* my mother had to have radical masectomy and her mother died of breast cancer!.  So my family history is full of this type of cancer.

Can you please explain to me what this diagnosis means?  I am so scared to make the wrong decisions.  I am married, age 48, the only diease that I have is arthritis since I was a teenager and have two grown children.   Thank you !

[pugsley]

Hi MeeMaw,

I am 35 yrs old now and almost 7 years ago I received a very similar diagnosis. Because of the amount of cancer in the ductal system all physicians I saw agreed that a mastectomy was the best option. On March 1996 I had a radical mastectomy and I also opted for reconstructive surgery. I did not have chemo or any other treatment. I have remained healthy and thankful that cancer has not come back. I was the first in my entire family to face cancer. I am right now at hospital caring for my mother. She was diagnosed three weeks ago with breast cancer. In her case it has not been that simple. She has a massive tumor and her cancer is invasive. They just started chemotherapy today and we are just praying that this is going to cure her. For the past six years I felt that I will never know why I had cancer, I feel now that we may have a reason and of course my concerns have resurfaced. The only thing that gives me hope is that by having a mastectomy ALL the cancer was removed. A mastectmy is hard to take, it is painful at the beginning but it also means that every cancer cell is gone. Having reconstruction help me cope tremendously. I just got married two weeks ago to a wonderful man that was there with me through it all and loved me before surgery and loves me even more today. I am sure that with the right care you will do well. The important things is to get rid of the cancer and be POSITIVE!

[oldwellcourt]

I had a masectomy (alone) for dcis in 1998.  A year ago I had a re-occurrence.  I had a lumptectomy x 2 and radiation.  The surgeon (different one) and oncologist said I should have had radiation the first time.  I thought masectomy was a sure fire way.  If I had know what I know now I would have had lumptectomyt the first time.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear MeeMaw:  In general, ductal carcinoma in situ can be treated with lumpectomy and radiation therapy OR a mastectomy without radiation therapy.  If there is only one focus of DCIS the former may be preferred.  If there is more than one focus of DCIS, the latter may be recommended.  Chemotherapy is not usually necessary.  I cannot tell, from the information you provided, why a bilateral mastectomy has been recommended.  You should speak with your physician and ask for explanations for the recommendation.  If you do not get satisfactory results, get a second opinion.

[vonbier]

I understand what you are feeling. I was just diagnosed with
LCIS 10 days ago. I almost wish I did not know.
There are so many different stories out there. My mother had a lumpectomy 20 years ago and has been clear ever since.
My mom's friend had a lumpectomy 5 years ago and was diagnosed 6 months ago with stage iv carcinoma. My mother believed that if she had gone along with medical advice and got a mastectomy that she would be okay now. But there really isn't any way of knowing that. Good luck and god bless.