Hi everyone,
From my own recent experience (sorry can’t go into detail)I would seriously advise anyone, given a diagnosis of DCIS following a core biopsy on microcalcs, to always have a second confirming biopsy before proceeding to surgery.
Molly:(
I only had one biopsy, and then had surgery. Once the pathology was done it turned out I had DCIS and invasive. I would think its very unlikely to get a positive result if infact it was negative. Could you give us a clue what the problem was. You are anonymous on here.
They always biopsy everything that comes out after surgery, as well as the core biopsy. I don’t think I have ever heard or seen anyone on here say they had surgery and were told it was clear once it came out. But your post doesn’t say anthing so its hard to work out the situation.
I am wondering if you are saying that once the cancer came out it wasn’t just DCIS. That happens some of the time, as they only take a small part when they do a core biopsy. The nature of the beast of DCIS is that while it can’t spread while its in the milk ducts, it DOES have the ability to change to invasive, and that can spread. That is written in the Breast Cancer Care leaflet.
My cancer wasn’t just DCIS when it came out, it was invasive too. But I was aware from the start that that might happen.
As I put above a core biopsy, or a prone biopsy which is what I have only takes a very small part of the cells. The surgery is what gives you the definitive answer.
On further reflection, given the fact that there is only about a 1% chance of a false positive, requesting a second check on the original core biopsy would probably be better.
Molly
Reference:-
cancerscreening.nhs.uk/breastscreen/publications/nhsbsp50.pdf
(Page 4, 1.3 False positive cytology)
Standard practice dictates that multiple microcalc clusters, of similar pattern, are the same. This was not the case for me so anyone in a similar position may also want to consider having each cluster biopsied separately before proceeding to surgery.
hi molly … hope your ok… i guess not eh ?.. i was found to have microcalcifications following a routine mammogram, to be fair i had never herd of them till mine were discovered, i had been feeling out of sorts for a few months, nothing i could quite put my finger on, just something not rite, i was recalled following the mammo and the rollercoaster to hell began, first i had micros then i was told i may had dcis, and had core biopseys, then i was told deffo dcis and possibly invasive, so had more cor biopseys, results of second biopsey confirmed both dcis and invasive, 2 lots of surgery second to get clear margin, 17 rads and aromasin for 5 years. last year was hell … but im ok … just had 1st mammo post treatment and the hospital are pleased with me, no cancer, just scars from the battle , hope your ok xxx angie
Hi angie and everyone,
Today I should be feeling overjoyed having been told, at my post MX followup, that nothing was found in my final path. and I need no further treatment. Instead I’m feeling confused and angry. Seems my multi-focal, extensive DCIS was ALL removed within the core biopsy (max 4mm square)??? The very same biopsy which gave my preliminary diagnosis leading me to opt for a UMX and SNB. I just can’t quite shake the feeling however, that something is just not quite right about all this.
I started this topic not to cause anyone alarm but to alert others in a similar position now or in the future. Hindsight is always 20/20 and I wish I could have read something like this three weeks ago when my gut was telling me what I now (think I) know.
I will now leave the club, that no one wants to join, wondering whether I ever should have been here in the first place. Maybe, if I can ever get any answers, I will be able to join the ‘1% false positive club’ but I’ll not be holding my breath on that one:)
I am most grateful for my experience here and I truly wish everyone the very best, whatever road you may travel in the future.
Molly xxxx
oh molly, i dont know what to say to you hunny, i know microcalcifications can be a normal thing and not cancer, call the breast unit tomorrow and ask for a detailed explanation of the pathology report, make another appointment if necessary,something really does not sound correct, im not sure if by having the core biopseys done, the entire micros can be removed, loosing a breast must be so distressing, even if it is to remove all traces of cancer, to loose one for no reason must be devistating, dont just jump to conclusions tho, think logically. they must of had very good reason to do the mx in the first place, its not something they take lightly. my initial reaction to been told i had bc was to say remove the breast i need to know its gone, my surgeon refused point blank, she said they only remove the breast if a wle is not going to remove the cancer, perhaps your surgeon ment … following your mx, we are pleased to say the pathology reports no cancer now present in the final path report …, if thats the case, fantastic you really did have cancer and your now cancer free and no follow up treatment is necessary… you need to hear this from the doctor or a breast care nurse, this is an absolute nightmare for you,
Hi Molly,I agree with Angie that you need a more in depth explanation on your histology report as things don’t sound right. I too had DCIS in two areas of my left breast. The mammogram showed such tiny dots of calcifications, about the size of a pinhead that I spent weeks wondering why on earth I had to have an mx and recon. However, last week, 3 weeks post op, my surgeon informed me that most of the DCIS was hidden and was only revealed when the breast was taken and sent to histology. I had an area of DCIS of 10cm. To say I was shocked was an understatement and made me feel very lucky to have had the surgery. I think you definitely need more information and answers.
Good luck.
Gilly xxxxx