interesting
interesting To hear other people’s experience of DCIS treatment. What I don’t understand about it is…
I was never given a number I was told widespread intermediate grade and on further testing of one particular area high grade and told I had no choice but to have a mastectomy.
I understood it was low grade, intermediate or high. Does grade 3 dcis mean high or is there more to it than I understand?
I was also told that due to having a mastectomy I would not need any further treatment and that it would not recurr. I hope they were right on this one!!!
Suex
Hi, I was only given high grade too, no numbers. Perhaps different hospitals have different systems. I was offered mastectomy , or lumpectomy with radiotherapy and the risk of it coming back.
I opted for mastectomy, as I didn’t fancy the risks otherwise. Yes, I was told it couldn’t come back in that breast, but I go for regular checks on the other side. First anniversary just coming up!
Sue.
interesting when i went for my dx after my biopys iwas told i needed mastec because so much calcification mine was high grade thats all i was told ,after op when i saw my consultant he said i needed rads because he didnt get enough clear margin for him to be happy about ,my cancer nurse said it was a little bit like belt and braces !!!think it depends on your consultant after something like this but dont really know myself sorry
DCIS grades I had a mixture of papillary (intermediate grade) and comedo (high grade) DCIS. Don’t think they’re given a number.
Fortunately, mine was only over a 2.5 cm area, and being big boobed, got away with a WLE.
I have heard that if DCIS is low grade, radiotherapy isn’t always indicated.
Hope this helps.
Mcgle
PS I also had cribriform. Not sure about the grade of this one!
Mcgle
hi all thanks for that it all sounds very similar to my experience. I am assuming they get clear margins with mine and were able to remove everything as I did not need any further treatment (thankgoodness).
Suex
Gradings Hello there - this is my first time replying, so here goes!
I had wide local excision for DCIS in September 2006 and was told that it was high grade (or Grade 3). I was told that there are 3 grades - low, intermediate and high - so these would be Grades 1, 2 and 3.
Hope this helps.
High Grade I had a mastectomy with immediate recon in Sept 2004 just before my 40th birthday. I was told it was high grade - they did explain the numbers around this but to be honest I can’t remember. I know I had no choice as there was no other treatment that would have made sure it was removed. I was put on Tamoxifen following the op and am about to have my 2nd check up in the next few weeks on the other side. I was also told that once removed it can’t come back. I am on the Tamoxifen to try to make sure I don’t get it on the other side!!
So far so good - still find it hard to come to terms with the fact that the treatment for high grade is so radical but I would rather be safe than sorry.
Debx
Which reconstruction? Which reconstruction did you have? Am awiting appmt with plastic surgeon for mastectomy + immediate recon date in Sept. Feel as though I have emotional whiplash- no lump, feel well but the consultant, mammogram and biopsy say something entirely different and terrifying. Any advice for the months ahead?
Barb x
Recon Hi Barb
I had a TRAM flap recon as I am large busted and a little on the padded side. I didn’t have much options really in the type that was recommended. I didn’t fancy having the muscle from my back etc moved as my main sport is swimming and was worried about the effect on my arm. Overall pleased with what resulted - having few problems at the moment but this is due to scar tissue as I healed too quickly. Most people who meet me can not believe I have had recon partic if have a v-neck top on. Still thinking about whether or not to have a nipple added but to be honest the adhesive stick on ones are great if your wearing something you feel it looks a little odd.
All I can say is ask lots and lots and lots of questions. Ask to speak to some other people who have had similar ops as I found this very useful. The more you understand the different options the easier it will be for you to CHOOSE the one that is best for you …you are the most important person in this.
I am glad I had the immediate recon - got everything out of the way on the same day. My op took 11 hours and it was actually my poor husband and family who the ones that suffered the most on the day.
How to cope is very diffiult. I kept busy - I found a lump but did not show up on mammogram and took a couple of months to sort out how high grade it was. I had my op on 7th Sept 2004 and worked up to the end as I did not want to sit around an think. I found the forum very useful as lots of people had lots of tips.
Hope all goes well and hang on in there. Its not easy but I think the best advice I can give is find out everything you can about the op etc as it does help with planning things and also accepting things.
Best wishes
Deb x
DCIS grades My understanding is that low grade is what it suggests, ditto high grade. Intermediate is used for DCIS that cannot be categorised as either low or high and that is what mine was. Margaret
Thanks, Deb! Hi Deb,
Thanks for your reply. I’m getting so much strength and inspiration from these forums.
love from Barb xxx