Understanding pathology report help

[Greysean]

Pathology report and questions
If someone could help me understand what all this means I'd be very grateful.

Ductal carcinoma in situ, high grade, cornedo and cribriform types with calcifications
Lobular carcinoma in situ
BiRads-4
white-yellow tissue cores aggregating 2.5x2x0.3
Clarient

I'm gathering high grade isn't good. what do they types cornedo and cribriform mean? Is it odd to have two different types the Ductal and the Lobular?
Thank you.

[lisamatthew]

A related discussion, pathology report clarification was started.

[Greysean]

Thank you all. I just saw my surgeon and gosh he was just lovely - spent 2 hours with me! Gave me the name of a plastic surgeon to talk to as well. Next week I'll have a MRI and then will discuss further whether it should be lumpectomy or mastectomy.
Things that complicate everything for me is I also have M.S. I am 49 but went into menopause in my late 30's so it will be one of the drugs that stop all estrogen which worries me greatly as I was but on HRT just to function because of the M.S. so all those symptoms will return. I am positive for both estrogen and progestrone and will we weaned off the hormone replacement drugs. Anyone know more about the drugs for post-menopausal women?  Thank you for the information on comedo - that does help and he is concerned about it being high grade and with the LCIS whether it will go to the other breast or have a reoccurrance. Any one have experience with these drugs - I have mainly read about the Tamxofin. Thank you.

[ncmichigan]

I'm glad to hear it's not invasive but so sorry to hear you have DCIS in addition to LCIS. I hope the information from bluebutterfly is helpful, because it's very good, but you'll get a lot more information from your doctor and oncologist. I would only recommend that you write down all your questions and take someone with you when you go to your appointments. I'm a nurse and not an MD, but from what I know, your treatment may be a little more aggressive because of the Grade 3, but I believe it still is highly curable. At a minumum, I think the recommendation will be radiation after surgery. Your doctors should outline all the treatment options for you and the decisions will be made together. Please try to stay positive and take one step at a time. I know this is a really difficult time for you, but you will get through it by using whatever coping mechanisms work best for you. Just know you'll get support here from all the wonderful women who've been down the same road. Sending you a big hug !!

[bluebutterfly2222]

p.s. You are correct; the lower the Grade, the better. High Grade (3) is more aggressive , meaning more likely to grow quickly or metastasize.

[bluebutterfly2222]

It is not extremely uncommon to have both LCIS and DCIS. (I have even known of cases where the person had invasive ductal carcinoma and invasive lobular carcinoma.)

Below is some information that I have cut and pasted for you:
" There are two categories of DCIS: non-comedo and comedo.  The term, comedo, describes the appearance of the cancer.  When comedo type breast tumors are cut, the dead cells inside of them (necrosis) can be expressed out just like a comedo or blackhead on the skin. Comedo type DCIS  tends to be more aggressive than the non-comedo types of DCIS.  Pathologists are able to easily distinguish between comedo type DCIS and other non-comedo types when examining the cells under a microscope because comedo type DCIS tends to plug the center of the breast ducts with necrosis (dead cells).  When necrosis is associated with cancer, it often means that the cancer is able to grow quickly.  For clarity, the invasive or infiltrating cancer is actually the "more cancerous" than the comedo DCIS.

Whether the DCIS component of the cancer is comedo or non-comedo does not determine whether lumpectomy or mastectomy should be done.  This is determined by the size of all of the tumor, invasive and DCIS, whether it is one lump or more than one lump, and the preference/desires of the patient.  You will benefit from discussing the options with a breast surgeon and possibly a plastic surgeon and radiation therapist if the tumor is large or you are contemplating mastectomy. "

Hope this helps.

Best wishes...