DCIS - really that dangerous?

[canIlaughyet?]

Routine mammogram led to "suspicious" cysts; diagnosed intermediate DCIS after needle biopsy. I'm 46, my physician says "you've probably had this for 5 years". My question, if this has been there for 5 years, what's the rush for mastectomy? I'm thinking check it every 6 months and treat when/if it begins to change.
Also concerned about recurring pain and bruising at biopsy site - can a biopsy actually make things worse by stirring around in there?

[Naniam]

When you see the surgeon, ask him to explain "comedo" or check it out on the web or maybe one of the web sites I gave to you earlier.  There are different terms they use like "solid" "cribriform" "comedo" and they help determine the aggressiveness of the tumor.  I am glad you finally got an answer.  I had my echocardiogam today and more blood drawn for
my liver function test - no results yet - they are just going to be OK though.  The husband and also Dad of two ladies in my Bible Study group was taken to the local hospital Tues with possible stroke.  They found a brain tumor.  Since I had to go to Baptist Hospital (NC) today for my test, another friend rode along as he was having surgery to remove the tumor.  He was found to have a brain cancer, Stage III or IV; waiting on the path report and will take a few days but surgeon said at least a Stage III.  I think that is one of the hardest things I have done since I was diagnosed - hearing another family I knew told that a loved one had cancer.  I cried and I still get emotional.
Life is so hard sometimes - that we all know well.   Blessings,

[Mrsfun44]

I also had DCIS.  My calcifications were in three different areas of my breast.  Two were stage 1 and the other stage 0.  My surgeon recommended a mastectomy also.  I got a second opinion (from a younger surgeon) who said I had a choice.  I opted for the mastectomy after discussing with my first surgeon again.  It turns out that I think I made the correct decision as two nodes were positive and my FISH test came back positive.  Both things tell me that while it was a very early stage of cancer, it was agressive.  I've done the a/c chemo and now am starting Taxol and Herceptin.  
I wish you an easy time through everything.

[Under Forty Pam]

I did not find a lump, only found during a routine mammogram film.  None of the doctors can feel it either.

[Under Forty Pam]

I am slightly ahead of you in the same process.  I was diagnosed with DCIS, 4mm, Stage 0, July 17.  Tomorrow is my surgery and I had 2 opinions and neither even remotly suggested a mastectomy.  Get another opinion, a lumpectomy should be enough.  After tomorrow I can tell you what is really feels like to have the surgery.  Hang in there I am just as nervous and still scared as you are.  The biopsy only tells them a hint of the information they need to really understand what is there.  They need the lump to see its entire makeup.  Start making appointments and getting it done.  Good luck.

[boninclyde]

Waiting for my results today. Actually they just called but I would not answer the phone. I do not want to talk to them until husband gets home from work and we can both get the news at the same time. Crazy Hugh. Scared I guess. They have pretty much said it looks like DCIS and that I need a masectomy also. I do not know why they recommend masectomy more verses lumpetomy. Mine are both wide spread and clustered calcifications so I believe that is why they want to do masectomy. I believe I would rather get it out than to wait for it to become invasive. Let you know when I get my result today.

[Avidhiker]

If it were me, I'd have it OUT ASAP.  Why wait for in situ to God forbid become invasive.  DCIS has the highest cure rates.  I would question why the surgeon has recommended a mastectomy rather than lumpectomy with radiation though.