confused

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1

hiya im a bit baffled i was given a yellow print out of my cancer, and near the top it says biopsy diagnosis (b5a) and b5b) malignant.
then says in situ(b5a) ductal carcinoma in situ
then says grade 2 but also says invasive (b5b) ductal/no special type .
the summarty at the bottom says right needle biopsy
invasive ductal/no special type grade 2
so… do i have non invasive or invasive breast cancer cus it says them both and i dont know what one is wat hope someone can help
jo xx

2

Hi jo and welcome to the BCC forums

I am posting a link to the BCC publication ‘Understanding your pathology’ which may answer some of your queries:

breastcancercare.org.uk/healthcare-professionals/publications/diagnosed-with-breast-cancer/*/changeTemplate/PublicationDisplay/publicationId/91/

In addition please feel free to call our helpline for further support and information on 0808 800 6000, weekdays 9-5 and Sat 9-2.

Best wishes
Lucy

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Hi Jo,think you probably have both I had invasive grade2 and DCIS The DCIS bit is contained in the ducts and hasn’t learnt how to spread.There are quite a lot of women on here who have had both.I had a central mastectomy but because I had a lymph node involved had to have chemo then rads and am now on tamoxifen.I was diagnosed over 3 years ago.Its allot to take in and is really confusing at the beginning but you soon learn all the jargon.I’m sure others will be along to help soon.

Bet wishes Melxx

4

Hi Jo

I’ve just had my sign-off appt with my surgeon and she went through the path report very thoroughly. It turns out that on top of the IDC Grade 3, I also has bits and pieces of DCIS which have been removed, and the re-excision also showed patches of LCIS which have also been removed.

The way my surgeon explained it was that the invasive cancer I had (IDC) doesn’t just pop up totally formed and neatly packaged, but usually has to grow out of something, usually DCIS. LCIS is also commonly found lurking in the same general area, and this is what they found for me. (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma - IDC - is also sometimes called “no special type” and it’s the most common form of breast cancer.)

I suggest you give your breast care nurse a ring and ask her to go over your own path report in a bit more detail. I’m sure she will be very happy to go through it with you so that you understand what’s what. You may also find the helpline can be extremely useful, particularly as you’ll be able to tell them exactly what’s written on the path report. Give them a buzz tomorrow when they’re back.

I’m sorry you have reason to join us on the forums, but welcome anyway, and I hope you find the forums a good source of support.

CM
x

5

thanks guys i go for my pre op on thur so ill see what they say its all abit of a head spin atm. but im sure i will get their .