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Lumpectomy or mastectomy for DCIS?

Gertie15
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Hi all, this is my first post on here. I was recalled following a routine mammogram (I'm 53) and calcifications were found. I have had a vac assisted biopsy on an area in my left breast - 5cm duct. I was told at the time that I would probably have to have another biopsy on the other end of the duct to make sure both ends were the same. I had my results two days ago and was told that it was DCIS with no invasive cells. The consultant said that I am to have a lumpectomy at the beginning of July. I had another biopsy yesterday on the other end. I did ask the consultant about a mastectomy and he said it was a possibility if that's what I wanted. I think I am going to go down the lumpectomy route, as I don't really want to face major surgery just yet. He didn't say what grade the tumour was and I just wondered at what stage do you get told this as he was quite vague when I spoke to him?

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    Hi Gertie,

    I was diagnosed with DCIS in February, aged 43, had a lumpectomy (with redcution on other side). Was initially told it was low/intermediate grade after the original biopsy, although this was upgraded to high grade after the pathology following lumpectomy.

    I think as a general rule, they should be able to tell you the grade after biopsy but there is always potential for this to change after full pathology post-surgery.

    Wishing you all the best!

     

     

  • Offline in reply to PositiveT

    Thank you for your reply. My initial feeling before I had the biopsy was to have a mastectomy to reassure myself that all of the DCIS was gone, but now I'm thinking lumpectomy, but still worried about it coming back. I asked the consultant if I'd need radiotherapy, he was vague about that as well. I'm hoping after the results of the biopsy yesterday I will have more information.

  • Offline in reply to Gertie15

    It's so tricky isn't it. I think the anxiety will be tehre for me when it comes to future mammograms etc and if I had DCIS again I think I would go for mastectomy!

    My understanding is that it is standard care to offer Radiotherapy for High Grade DCIS (not low or intermediate) - I am having five sessions in July - the delay until July was my choice as I wanted to wait until after a pre-planned holiday and some work commitments and the Oncologist said delay was not a problem.

     

  • Offline in reply to PositiveT

    It's good to know you have an option to postpone the radiotherapy if you need to.

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    Hi Gertie

    I am now recovering from my lumpectomy which i had done on tuesday this week.

    At the time of diagnosis i was told it was high grade dcis, but mastectomy wasnt an option for me.  i think from my reseach non invasive dcis isnt staged as it hasn't yet learnt how to spread.

    During my surgery they also removed 2 lymph nodes, get results 30th june.

    I will be eventually having radiotherapy also

     

  • Offline in reply to Teresa1410

    Hi Gertie

    i have just had three cancer cells removed and histology found low grade dcis

    it was so small even the surgeon didn’t see it only visible through microscope. I am going back for another op tomorrow,  I have had lumpectomy, but if they can’t get margins it will be a mastectomy. Did you have a lumpectomy and is everything ok.

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