Recently I was diagnosed with DCIS and am due to have a wire-guided WLE soon. Is it painful?
I also had swollen glands recently and wonder whether this could be as a result of whatever is in my breast?
Hi, I would like to know also if the wire hurts - my surgery is on 14th July - in childbirth terms we all know “uncomfortable” means painful, and when I had my teeth whitened they said that would be “uncomfortable” and it was awful … however, my mammogram didn’t hurt and the core biopsy was completely painless - the “gun” just made a clicking noise - they used an ultrasound to find the area to biopsy in my case.
As for the glands, I believe it does take swollen lymph nodes some time to reduce in size after an infection. I have one that comes up in my neck when I have tonsillitis, but then goes down again. I think if lymph nodes were involved you would have pain more in your armpit than in your neck (but I’m not a doctor!)
Hi
I had a wire inserted prior to surgery. I had an ultrasound scan to show where the wire needed to go and honestly cannot remember any pain associated with the procedure, I think they numbed the area first. (I am the world’s biggest wuss!!)
Good luck
Love WIMP 
Hi Jools456,
Sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but glad you’re feeling okay about things now. It’s definitely a journey of ups and downs, so hang in there! I’m afraid I can’t help much, other than answer your wire question.
I had markers inserted last Friday and surgery thereafter. The wires inserted weren’t painful (although I was too chicken to watch!) as they freeze the area with local anaesthetic first - so if you had a core biopsy, it’s much the same. (I also previously had a fine needle biopsy using ultrasound under my arm which was more uncomfortable as you could feel them moving about a bit; didn’t experience this with markers other than first wire for millisecond). When I went in initially they were going to try and insert them using the ultrasound as a guide, and he thought only one wire may be required, but after consulting my surgeon, they decided to insert two wires (ended up being three) using the mammogram machine. So it might depend what they think on the day.
I was really apprehensive when they came back and said the mammo m/c as it can be really uncomfortable and quite painful, albeit brief, but it was a slightly different m/c from the normal one, and didn’t squeeze nearly so tightly. I was sitting down for the process, which made it more bearable and they gave me a cushion at my back, cos you’re in that position for a while. You do have that awkward head to the side squished against a machine issue for short spells, but they generally moved the upper bit once pic taken, so not too bad. There was loads of repositioning both of me and the m/c and they took loads of pics; there was six folk in the room besides me (having to exit each time pic taken) so it was a bit of a circus! But I was reassured throughout, and it wasn’t that bad, certainly not painful, only that wee sting as each anaesthetic was put in (one for each marker). They then coiled(?) the end of the wire and taped it against you, so I couldn’t see anything once done. I did get a final mammo on the normal m/c once done, but again, not bad. Bizarrely she taped a coin to my nipple when doing that - apparantly it shows up better - not had that one before!!!
It did take a long time (from initially stripping and long ultrasound to final mammo on usual m/c, nearly two and a half hours, altho there was a wait or two in there while discussions held). I then had a bite to eat and stroll in sunshine immed afterwards, so no prob. Was a bit cautious with clothes removal etc, but no big deal!
Long blurb, but hope this helps reassure you - any other qu’s, just ask as its all still pretty fresh in my mind! Good luck with everything,
Ax
Sounds like the wire won’t be painful but perhaps uncomfortable. The core cut biopsies didn’t hurt so hopefully the wire will be about the same.
My good wishes to everyone.
Another question?
I know I’m not at high risk as I only have one 2nd degree relative with bc. My question now is should any of the other females (like my sister or my cousin) get checked out too?
Hi Julie - I am pretty much in the same position as you although they have not told me what type my cancer is - only that it is ER+ and will probably have radiotherapy and arimidex or similar. Mine was small and had to be wire-guided and I did post a reply to Irina on the lobular cancer thread under waiting for test results. I went into quite a bit of detail which may not be what she wanted - but you seem to be like me and like to know everything - a soul-mate! so you can read it on there if you want.
I had mine done just before the op and the total time in the breast clinic was less than half an hour - so it was all absolutely fine, didn’t hurt at all and I found it very interesting! I also had sentinel lymph node biopsy done and this was fine too although the most uncomfortable bit was trying to sit still in an awkward position for what seemed like ages while they did a gamma (I think) scan of the radioactive tracer.
Regarding you family - my sister and I both have breast cancer now so our children will definitely be following it up. Although their risk is increased it is not massive - there are many other situations which would cause further concern - ovarian cancer - etc. I think it would be a good idea for your sisters to see their GP who can refer them for genetic follow up if appropriate. They may be able to have a test to determine if they carry the breast cancer gene. Mammograms are OK but it is more difficult to see changes before the menopause because the breast tissue is more dense. Don’t know about your Mum - I’m sorry. I did read that they are going to increase the screening age now 50-70 to 47-73 (from memory - don’t quote me!).
Good luck for your op. I’ll be thinking of you. Looby
Hi Julie
I have just had treatment for DCIS. I had a WLE with a wire guide inserted beforehand and radiotherapy. I was 48, nearly 49 when this started in January. Firstly, the guided wire business is nothing to worry about. I think whether they use the mammogram if there is a lot of “scattered” cells and the ultrasound if it is one or two individual lumps. They put local anaesthetic in prior to doing this, as like the core biopsy. This, I thought, was pretty painless and then the insertion of the wire is pain free. I had a plastic cup taped over my wire to protect it prior t sugery. I looked like a poor relation of Madonna!!
I agree that the term pre-cancerous is a bit misleading. The USA call it pre-invasive which makes more sense. The cells havent yet turned into full blown cancer cells which invade neighbouring tissue, but they have the potential to do so, so need to go. I had radiotherapy as a further precaution.
With regards to the lymph nodes, my guess is they are unrelated to the DCIS as DCIS hasnt spread to the nodes. It could be that you have been run down because of the breast changes and more susceptible to infection. I know I was off work 2-3 times with chest infections, flu etc just before diagnosis so I am sure I was more vulnerable. Since treatment I have never felt healthier.
I am not sure what the score will be with your sisters and screening but because they are in their forties, the problem with dense breast tissue is not too much of an issue as this generally affects younger women. They are lowing the age of screening and it would do no harm for them to be screened. They stop invitiing women over 70 for mammogramms because I guess of costs and because at that age cancer may be more slow growing, but we all now the risk increases in older women, so if she asks her GP, they will give screen her. If it were my family, I too would prefer they had screening.
Good luck for your op
Cathy
x
Well’ it seems to be the concencus of opinion that having the wire inserted doesn’t hurt so my mind has definitely been put at ease on that score.
Hi jools456,
I am have a wire inserted tomorrow, wle on 5th, i havent had a leaflet so am I understanding correctly that the end of the wire is on the outside of the skin? Not worried about pain as mammos not painful despite big lump left from 1st biopsy, just having difficulty with the feeling that the breast is not mine anymore, its still bruised after 3 1/2 weeks and having a madonna moment until the wle, i’m having difficulty coming to terms although going to the gym helps.
I too, like the facts, unfortunately you need to know which questions to ask.
I feel the same about the term ‘pre-cancer’ although its useful when telling teenage sons, giving them info without the worry?
Lib
Hi Lib,
My understanding is that the wire is inserted into the breast to show the surgeon the exact location to operate on. It will be secured and I am assuming it must be left hanging out as I am then having op straight away.
Hi Julie
I had wire inserted last Monday morning and went for WLE in the afternoon. It seems everywhere is different. I had to walk back to the ward following the wire which was fine. I too was a bit surprised when they taped a plastic drinking cup on. Felt a bit silly but at least it made me laugh
All the best Jilly
Well, just shows how you can get things wrong! It was just mammograms in preparation for the wire, which will be inserted the morning of the op. As I had all the other mammos done else where the hosp didn’t have clear upto date ones. Having said that they were the most painful so far
Lib
Lib - I think it’s understandable we get some things wrong as we have a lot of unexpected information to take in very quickly. Sorry to hear your mammos have been painful. Thankfully mine have been fine so far. Hope everything is less painful for you on the 5th!
Keeping my fingers crossed for good results for you and, in fact, for everyone on here.
I am having WLE folloing insertion of a guide wire under ultrasound control on the 28th - but at least the Breast Unit and ward are on the same floor of the hospital, and i get a wheelchair if I want one!! I can also have breakfast before 7.30 as I am on the afternoon list.
I will let you all know how I get on.
Angela
Hi everyone,
I’m very much enjoying hearing everyone’s news and views, I just registered on here today.
I was due to have a guide wire inserted into my very tiny BC (7mm, unpalpable) on the Thursday before my Monday surgery - but because it was the holiday season the ‘wire lady’ was on holiday! Despite asking several times if there was someone else who could do this, it turned out there wasn’t, and if I waited until the Wire Lady came back, the consultant would then be on holiday for 2 1/2 weeks, so the consensus was that we get on and do it without a wire. So the consultant (who would do the WLE), the radiographer and myself spent a good half hour with the scanner and a biro, fiddling around marking a big ‘X’ on the side of my boob, with the consultant feeling it in different positions (including the position I would be in in theatre) and the radiographer then scanning to prove it was right underneath where she had her fingers. I remember at one point she said, “I know it looks a bit Heath Robinson…”. I found this rather worrying at the time, but as it turned out they sent away the sample and the cancer was bang in the middle of it, with a very even margin. Phew!
Jane
Wow Jane, that sounds a bit scary! Good on you, think I would have run out to the car park screaming with my gown displaying lots of unpleasant sights xxxx Jilly
Hi, I had WLE with wire on Monday, the wire did not hurt at all. I didn’t look as they were doing it (on ultrasound) but saw the wire stickingabout 6 inches out of my chest - a bit surreal, by=ut not painful. I asked for a 5 mg diazepam beforehand as I knew I would be anxious, the doctor was fine with this. I had the wire in at 9.00, it took about half an hour, I was then on the ward with the wire taped to my chest until 1.40 pm when I went down to theatre, I can honestly say there was no pain from the wire whatsoever (and the diazepam meant I could have a pleasant sleep whilst I was waiting.) I then had WLE and axillary clearance with no drains (my surgeon doesn’t do drains for WLE) and would have gone home Tue, but my blood pressure was very low so they kept me in until Wed morning. Really don’t worry about the wire, I would have it again tomorrow if need be, and I am SUCH a wuss!