microcalcifications

I am a 52 year old female who has  undergone three lumpectomies on my right breast for DCIS since January 26th 2006. Each time my margin comes back unclear. My surgeon has informed me that I am stage 0.My waiting period for pathology results is up to three weeks. Does this occurrence of going back so many times  common? Do you have an answer for reoccurrence of DCIS? The time frame. You have helped me before and I will be grateful for new insight on this disease. I am a former hospital profession but I feel we make the worst patients. Thank you so much again.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear chunkey:  If the margins are in question, then it is unclear whether you are having a recurrence or whether the DCIS was ever completely removed in the first place.  Stage 0 refers to all DCIS.  Stage 1 and higher refer to invasive cancer. For individuals who wish to avoid mastectomy, occasionally multiple surgeries may be required to acheive clear margins which reduces the risk of recurrence in the future.  You might also check with your doctor as to whether radiation therapy might be appropriate as adjuvant treatment for your DCIS.  

[chunkey]

Thank you so much for your quick reply. My Doctor days that it is not visible on the mammogram only the pathologist is picking it up because of the size. Interesting can it reappear so soon after the first surgical procedure. I thought it did not spread since it is not invasive. I failed to mention that I did see the radio-oncologist and radiation was suggested along with perhaps Tamoxifen. I have opted not to take the Tamoxifen given I have had a previous deep vein thrombosis. Thank you so much. One more question re time frames. Is the waiting affecting the outcome of the results. This is a wonderful help to me this site. thank You again

[rayonc]

WIth DCIS there can be involvemnt of a entire duct.  The ducts are not straight tubes but more like spaghetti that can weave around in the quadrant of the breast.  It may take several excisions to remove all of this area.  The time for the pathology does not cause the DCIS to spread.  It was already there before.

[chunkey]

Since my last question I have just come back from my checkup after having my third lumpectomy for my DCIS. The margins were clear except for a very small area on the peripheral side and my surgeon says that he will not operate on me for a fourth time because him and the radiologist say with radiation for sixteen days it will eradicate the cells that are left. My question is how do  they know that the radiation rids the breast of involved ducts, because only the pathologist is picking it up.It does not appear on a mammograhy. Should I have a digital and MRI even though I do not have dense breasts? will another test pick this DCIS up? I will not take Tamoxifen given my history of a previous deep vein thrombosis from a car accident. Whar are my chances of reoccurrence of DCIS o or for that matter an aggressive form of cancer returning. I am 52 and a former health professional hence all the questions. Thank you for your time this has been a great page for me and I am walking in the breast cancer weekend and will certainly donate to your forum. You have been a great source of info for me.

[Babes23]

A related discussion, 2nd Opinion was started.