I have recently had a wide incision op for DCIS breast cancer which was discovered on my 1st mammogram in November and on going back to the consultant yesterday she said they didn’t get the margin required and they need to do another op which is scheduled for 2 weeks time. She used the word occult to explain the results and that after the op we would then discuss further treatment as I was to have a course of radiotherapy after my 1st op. Has anyone else had this happen to them as I can’t seem to find much information online.
I ‘think’ it means that in their pre-surgery diagnostics they couldn’t estimate the exact position, shape and size of the anomally ? It seems from some very basic research I’ve done to be a variety of BC where its hard to find the primary source. Therefore that is the reason why they didn’t get correct/safe margins (or complete removal in some cases) and the need for a second surgery. Its certainly not something I am knowledgeable about, and although there are many women on here who have needed second surgeries to have complete removal and safe margins, I’ve not heard the ‘occult’ word mentioned by them. Seems you had a more medical explanation than was correct for a lay-persons knowledge level. I would definitely suggest seeking specialist information on this term, from the helpline on here or your BCN, as it may be something that you need to know more clearly about than the information some lay person (me) can provide. I’ve be interested to hear any update on anything they tell you…
