ductal carcinoma

My mother has just been diagnois having ductal carcinoma in situ.  She will be having surgery in the next week.  Instead of following up with radiation aren' there alternative ways to treat her other than raidation?

Thank you

[Sue0871]

I am not a doctor, but I had dcis.  Treatment depends on what size and where the dcis is located.  If dcis is in one location, there is a fairly new option of an internal "balloon" type of radiation which only takes about 5 days.  This treatment was not an option for me because I had dcis in more than one region of my breast.  If your mother is receiving a lumpectomy, radiation does improve her chances of the cancer not returning, as well as treatment with tomoxifan if she is ER positive.  Good information is available on breastcancer.org

[stokes777]

Thank you so much.  The dcis is in one area. She will be having a lumpectomy.   May I ask what is ER positive?

[Sue0871]

ER positive refers to her estrogen receptors.  When the biopsy was done, most likely they did a receptor test on it.  They usually do ER PR which is estrogen and progestrone receptor tests.  Tomoxifan is a estrogen hormone blocker.  Most dcis is estrogen postive, however mine did happen to be negative.  Blocking the estrogen has proven to decrease the chances of the dcis from returning. Once her lumpectomy is completed, I'm sure she will have a follow up appointment with an oncologist which will discuss her options.  Don't worry, the prognosis for DCIS is excellent with treatment.

[stokes777]

It is so hard to know what questions to ask her doctor.  But I am going with her this coming Monday when she has the DCIS done...  She will be 78 this year.  

Thank you so much for your help and putting my mind to rest.

I am taking it that you are ok?  

God bless!

[Sue0871]

Thank you for your concern.  I  am doing very well.  My dcis was extensive, so I ended up having to have a mastectomy.  I had no lymph node involvement and I am in the process of having reconstruction done.   I did not realize that your mother was 78, I don't know how the doctors will proceed with her follow up.  DCIS is generally slow growing, I've read that as many as 10 percent of women will have dcis in their life and never know it.  Mine never showed on a mammogram, I presented with nipple discharge. If you go to breastcancer.org and search dcis, there is a list of questions to ask the doctor. Your mother is lucky to have such a concerned daughter. Warmest Regards.

[stokes777]

I pray for your continues health and well being.  

While my mother is still under anesthesia they will do a biopsy under her arm of her lymph nodes.  Just for caution they said.

I will go to breastcancer.org.  and check it out.  I am going to  take those questions with me.

Yes 78 years young and has six girls.   We  are truely blessed.


Be blessed and keep it touch (*;*)