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Pathology report-approaching dcis
Hi,
My doctory just called me with the results of my biopsy. The report says APPROACHING the lowest grade of dcis. I asked my doctor if this means benign or malignant, and he said inbetween. I asked my doctor if I need a lumpectomy or a mastectomy and he said he doesn't know, and referred me to an oncologist. The report also says atypical ductal hyperplasia. Has anyone had the same result from a biopsy report ? Does anyone know if my findings will require surgery?
My doctory just called me with the results of my biopsy. The report says APPROACHING the lowest grade of dcis. I asked my doctor if this means benign or malignant, and he said inbetween. I asked my doctor if I need a lumpectomy or a mastectomy and he said he doesn't know, and referred me to an oncologist. The report also says atypical ductal hyperplasia. Has anyone had the same result from a biopsy report ? Does anyone know if my findings will require surgery?
Hi,
I went to a oncologist today. She said I need a lumpectomy. She said she is hopeful that the area she has to cut will be small enough that I don't need a breast reconstruction, but she won't know for sure till during the surgery. She said she won't know till after the surgery whether I will need radiation or not. Also, she said she won't know till then if I need tamoxifen. My family history is okay. Nobody in my family had had any type of cancer. I am not sure what an lcis diagnosis is. My diagnosis is atypical ductal hyperplasia. Marybai I am praying that you will get a negative pathology report.
I went to a oncologist today. She said I need a lumpectomy. She said she is hopeful that the area she has to cut will be small enough that I don't need a breast reconstruction, but she won't know for sure till during the surgery. She said she won't know till after the surgery whether I will need radiation or not. Also, she said she won't know till then if I need tamoxifen. My family history is okay. Nobody in my family had had any type of cancer. I am not sure what an lcis diagnosis is. My diagnosis is atypical ductal hyperplasia. Marybai I am praying that you will get a negative pathology report.
Hi,
I am worried about what my breast will look like after a lumpectomy. The calcifications that need to be removed are in the top part of my breast. Has anyone had a lumpectomy in that area? Has anyone had a lumpectomy and felt that the appearance of their breast hasn't changed that much. I would love to hear from those who had lumpectomy's to tell me about their experience.
I am worried about what my breast will look like after a lumpectomy. The calcifications that need to be removed are in the top part of my breast. Has anyone had a lumpectomy in that area? Has anyone had a lumpectomy and felt that the appearance of their breast hasn't changed that much. I would love to hear from those who had lumpectomy's to tell me about their experience.
Hi, again, Kate,
I'm sorry about not explaining LCIS---it's lobular carcinoma in situ, like DCIS, but in the lobes not the ducts. My understanding is that DCIS has the ability to become invasive, but LCS does not. However, along with all my other risk factors it puts my risk of invasive breast cancer at about 30%. That's why the oncologist said I was a candidate for bilateral prophylactic mastectomy. I understand your path report was ADH approaching DCIS.
As far as lumpectomies, I'm sure it depends on the surgeon, location and extent of excision,
but I've had four (they used the same scar for two)and except for faint scars, my breasts look pretty much the same as they did before. In fact, I had a breast surgeon and when I went to my oncologist, he said he expected them to look a lot worse based on my medical reports! I had to laugh! I'm fairly large breasted, so I'm guessing if a woman is small or very small it might make a difference. Mine were in the top and bottom of my breast on the left and the largest one was in the middle of the outside on the right. All were very easy and the recovery was quick---I went dancing the evening after the first two (done at the same time). I used very little pain medication at home. Everyone heals differently and has a different pain threshold, but I thought mine were a piece of cake. I was out for all or them, woke up in recovery, stayed about an hour then went home. Like I've said before, the wait for the path results was the worst of the whole experience.
It sounds like you have a good oncologist and I'm hoping that your surgery goes well and your
recovery is smooth and easy. Hopefully, it'll all be behind you soon.
Hugs,
nc
PS:Marybai, I'm still hoping for benign results for you!
I'm sorry about not explaining LCIS---it's lobular carcinoma in situ, like DCIS, but in the lobes not the ducts. My understanding is that DCIS has the ability to become invasive, but LCS does not. However, along with all my other risk factors it puts my risk of invasive breast cancer at about 30%. That's why the oncologist said I was a candidate for bilateral prophylactic mastectomy. I understand your path report was ADH approaching DCIS.
As far as lumpectomies, I'm sure it depends on the surgeon, location and extent of excision,
but I've had four (they used the same scar for two)and except for faint scars, my breasts look pretty much the same as they did before. In fact, I had a breast surgeon and when I went to my oncologist, he said he expected them to look a lot worse based on my medical reports! I had to laugh! I'm fairly large breasted, so I'm guessing if a woman is small or very small it might make a difference. Mine were in the top and bottom of my breast on the left and the largest one was in the middle of the outside on the right. All were very easy and the recovery was quick---I went dancing the evening after the first two (done at the same time). I used very little pain medication at home. Everyone heals differently and has a different pain threshold, but I thought mine were a piece of cake. I was out for all or them, woke up in recovery, stayed about an hour then went home. Like I've said before, the wait for the path results was the worst of the whole experience.
It sounds like you have a good oncologist and I'm hoping that your surgery goes well and your
recovery is smooth and easy. Hopefully, it'll all be behind you soon.
Hugs,
nc
PS:Marybai, I'm still hoping for benign results for you!
Hi ncmichigan and Kate,
I had good news today, my biopsy was benign. However, there are lots of microcalcifications that they need to watch, so I need another mammogram in 6 months. Since all of this has started I have been noticing how many patients I see that have breast cancer, and it is about 1 in 4 or 5. Of course, I see alot of older women that are near or post menopausal. All of them are cancer survivors. What is causing all of this? There is no consensus in the literature.
Much Love to everyone, and thank you for all of the support you gave me,
Mary
I had good news today, my biopsy was benign. However, there are lots of microcalcifications that they need to watch, so I need another mammogram in 6 months. Since all of this has started I have been noticing how many patients I see that have breast cancer, and it is about 1 in 4 or 5. Of course, I see alot of older women that are near or post menopausal. All of them are cancer survivors. What is causing all of this? There is no consensus in the literature.
Much Love to everyone, and thank you for all of the support you gave me,
Mary
Hi, Mary I am very happy for you. Nc thank you for sharing your experience with me. Unfortunately I am small breasted, and that is why I am concerned, but hopefully it will be ok. I have a very high threshold of pain, and usually don't take pain meds, so I think the surgery will be ok for me. I am more concerned about the appearance of my breast after the surgery.
Hi, Kate,
I noticed you started a third thread-lumpectomy. It really is so much easier if you continue everything on the same thread, especially for the women who answer here a lot. It gets really confusing when you have to answer in different places---I know I'm confused at what I said where! ( Of course, that could just be senility creeping in!) Usually japdip tells everyone this when they start a new thread, but I thought I would, too. Any of your issues or questions can
be answered in the same thread because they're all related. It's appreciated by all here.
As far as your concern, I think some small breasted women have had no problems with appearance after surgery---hopefully some of them will respond to you. You previously mentioned that your surgeon will be able to tell pretty much at the time---it seems like you'll just have to wait until then and try not to stress over it too much. The important thing is to reduce your chances of getting breast cancer and she's offered you reconstruction if it's needed, so you'll be OK.It sounds like you'll do fine during and after the lumpectomy, too. Like I said, mine were much easier than I anticipated.
I did read your lumpectomy post and you asked about the wire placement prior to surgery. It's sometimes called needle localization. A radiologist will do this so the surgeon knows exactly what needs to be removed. They use mammo or ultrasound films to locate the area, numb you up and then place a needle into the area. A fine wire is passed through the needle and through the lesion. The needle is removed but the wire stays and is removed in surgery. It sounds really scary but isn't as bad as it sounds. For my first one, I had my doctor prescribe a little Valium the night before and morning of the procedure and I did fine. The radiologists and staff are extremely kind and caring from my experience. My first lesion was palpable so they located it easily with ultrasound and by feel. The second one was for microcalcs in two areas, so I had to have them placed while sitting up in a mammo machine and that was a little rougher. I nearly fainted and really felt like a "wuss" but the doctor said that happens about 50% of the time. It was really anxiety more than pain, plus they kept telling me not to move, so I think I stopped breathing so I wouldn't move! Again, they were extremely kind and compassionate and it was as easy as they could make it. Since there are different types of neele locs, I would recommend talking to your surgeon so you know exactly what to expect---I really believe that patient education is so much better than just "doing" something to the patient without their knowledge.
I honestly thing you'll do just fine. Please keep us advised on how you do, OK? (But please keep it on this thread for continuity)
Wishing you all the best, as always,
nc
I noticed you started a third thread-lumpectomy. It really is so much easier if you continue everything on the same thread, especially for the women who answer here a lot. It gets really confusing when you have to answer in different places---I know I'm confused at what I said where! ( Of course, that could just be senility creeping in!) Usually japdip tells everyone this when they start a new thread, but I thought I would, too. Any of your issues or questions can
be answered in the same thread because they're all related. It's appreciated by all here.
As far as your concern, I think some small breasted women have had no problems with appearance after surgery---hopefully some of them will respond to you. You previously mentioned that your surgeon will be able to tell pretty much at the time---it seems like you'll just have to wait until then and try not to stress over it too much. The important thing is to reduce your chances of getting breast cancer and she's offered you reconstruction if it's needed, so you'll be OK.It sounds like you'll do fine during and after the lumpectomy, too. Like I said, mine were much easier than I anticipated.
I did read your lumpectomy post and you asked about the wire placement prior to surgery. It's sometimes called needle localization. A radiologist will do this so the surgeon knows exactly what needs to be removed. They use mammo or ultrasound films to locate the area, numb you up and then place a needle into the area. A fine wire is passed through the needle and through the lesion. The needle is removed but the wire stays and is removed in surgery. It sounds really scary but isn't as bad as it sounds. For my first one, I had my doctor prescribe a little Valium the night before and morning of the procedure and I did fine. The radiologists and staff are extremely kind and caring from my experience. My first lesion was palpable so they located it easily with ultrasound and by feel. The second one was for microcalcs in two areas, so I had to have them placed while sitting up in a mammo machine and that was a little rougher. I nearly fainted and really felt like a "wuss" but the doctor said that happens about 50% of the time. It was really anxiety more than pain, plus they kept telling me not to move, so I think I stopped breathing so I wouldn't move! Again, they were extremely kind and compassionate and it was as easy as they could make it. Since there are different types of neele locs, I would recommend talking to your surgeon so you know exactly what to expect---I really believe that patient education is so much better than just "doing" something to the patient without their knowledge.
I honestly thing you'll do just fine. Please keep us advised on how you do, OK? (But please keep it on this thread for continuity)
Wishing you all the best, as always,
nc
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