adh/lcis

[covertanjou]

I went in for my pre-op yesterday (will be having an excisional biopsy after having had a stereo biopsy), and was able to see my pathology report.  The report from my stereo biopsy states;  Lobular Intaepitelial Neoplaisa (ADH/LCIS Spectrum).  Fibrocystic changes with Adenosis, Columnar cell changes/hyperaplasia; Usual ductal hyplasia and Aporcrine metaplasia.  

Can anyone tell me what this means?  I understand that my samples shows ADH and LCIS.  What are the other things?  What are they looking for in the excision biopsy?

Thank you to all of you.  You have made this stressful time bearable.  

[RITZGAL]

Hi,  my stereo biopsy showed everything on your path report except lcis, then the excisional showed lcis.  I was told they had to do the excisional due to ADH found on stereo.  Stereo is just a sampling.  They need to get tissue adjacent to rule out anything more.  I believe there is a 15 to 20 per cent chance of finding something more.  Usual ductal hyperplasia is an over growth of normal duct cells.  I believe columnar cell changes refers to cells found in a specific part of the duct.  I dont know what apocrine metaplasia is, but the only findings of concern in my case was the ADH and LCIS, both of which have been found to increase the risk of invasive cancer.  Good luck on your excisional.  Ritz

[covertanjou]

Hi,

Thank you.  How are you doing?  What is your treatment with LCIS/ADH?  I am 46 and not menopausal.  

Thank you for taking the time to explain my path report.

[RITZGAL]

Hi,  I'm ok, but I think about this every day since I found out.  It bothers me more than I thought it would.  I have no known family history, but my mother died at 60 from complications from uterine cancer.  I am post menopausal.  When I was 49 my husband died and my periods just stopped suddenly and I had only hot flashes.  But they were often and I would get drenched at work.  So I took Prempro.  I never stopped taking it because every time I tried the flashes came back.  So when I found out ADH and LCIS is estrogen dependent, I weaned myself off the Prempro (all docs told me to anyway).  I've been off of it for 60 days and still getting flashes.  My onc wanted me to start Evista.  I have osteoporosis, and being post menopausal and my mother having uterine cancer, the Tamoxifen was not for me. The Evista is suposed to help with osteoporosis as well as cut my chances of ibc in half.  Since I am prone to hot flashes, doc prescribed Effexor, an anti-deppresant known to combat hot flashes to take along with the Evista.  I hate the idea of taking a med to offset SE's caused by another med.  I was hoping that my flashes would be gone by now so that I wouldn't get a double whammy of them when I started the Evista.  But I think valuable time is going by.  I have an appt with the onc on July 8th.  It was suposed to be 3 mo follow-up to check my blood levels and get a breast exam and I haven't even started the Evista yet.  I am going to wait until I see her.  If the flashes haven't stopped by then, I will start the Evista and Effexor at the same time.  If the flashes are gone, I'll just start the Evista and see if I need to take the Effexor also.  So the plan was Evista, mammograms every 6 mos. and breast exams every 6 mos. so that for the first year I would at last be seen for something every 3 mos.  I think because I am 63 with ADH and LCIS, and insurance (BCBS) says I don't meet their criteria for MRI's, the plan is for a rigorous follow-up.  We are still hoping MRI approval comes soon.  I am thinking that I will allow one more stereotactic vacuum biopsy and one more excisional biosy.  If they want yet another after that I may consider a more drastic approach.  I have already had two stereotactics and two excisionals.  I'm hoping that the fact that I stopped Prempro is enough to help clear up my dense breasts and at least stop fueling the atypical cells.  The Evista should help cut my risk even more.  I am hopeful.  Wow!  I didn't mean to go on like that.  So I wish I was 49 again and know what I know now.  I would have lived with the hot flashes.  I did find that magnesium helps with the flashes.  But if you take enough so that the flashes are gone, you get diarrhea.  It's a toss up.  My doc said it's more common to find premenopausal women with LCIS because of the estrogen.  So I hope for you of course your excisional is clear.  When are you having that?

[covertanjou]

HI,

I was scheduled to have my biopsy June 29, but my family and I had booked an all-inclusive holiday (without taking the cancellation insurance), and we would have lost quite a bit of money.  After many discussions with my doctor and family, we decided to postpone the operation to July 24.  I am comfortable with the decision to wait (my doctor assured me that waiting a month would not make much of a difference), but part of me wants the operation to have taken place yesterday!  I think the worst part is waiting. I can't fight the unknown.

I am sorry to hear about your husband, and your problems with the medications. I am terrified of taking Tamo (if that is what my doctor suggests), but I guess I will cross that bridge when I get to it.  I am 46, so I think that Tamo is usually part of the treatment.  

Ritzgal, I cannot tell you how much it means to me to be able to talk/chat about this with someone in my situation.  I find it hard to talk about what I am going through with those around me.  Everyone is supportive, but I tend to keep my fears to myself.   I feel that I do not want to worry those around me, so I do all the worrying myself.  I am working out and trying to take care of myself, but it is tough.

Take care/

[RITZGAL]

I understand not wanting to worry others. I am so glad you decided to take that vacation!  Enjoy!!!!

[covertanjou]

Thank you!