Stage 0 (DCIS) with widespread microcalcifications
Hi, am very new and slowly (or quickly?) getting my head around my diagnosis and the terminology. It's like learning a new language which is probably the most pleasant thing I can say about this experience so far.
I have widespread clusters of microcalfications across one breast. Three different biopsies have established that at least 2 of those clusters at atypia hyperplasia and at least 1 is low/intermediate grade DCIS. It's all very manageable and treatable however they clearly cannot biopsy all of the clusters as there'll be nothing left of my breast and an MRI has not provided any information one way or antoher on the risks or status of the other clusters. My surgeon was originally thinking of advising on a mastectomy given the widespread nature however, given the indeterminate status of many of the clusters she is concerned that this might be too drastic a step at this stage. She has come up with an alternative - wide local excision - which involves removing a wide section of my outer right breast containing the 3 sampled/confirmed areas, then testing the edges of the sample to assess whether there are any cells of concern at the edges. If no suspicious cells in the margins then they will proceed with a perforated flap reconstruction and will screen the remaining clusters annually. All sounds very sensible, however...
...I am afraid that testing will reveal further suspicious cells at the margins and I will end up with a mastectomy in any event. Equally, I may not. I would be keen to hear from anyone who's had a similar diagnosis and how it fared for you. If you 'only' had the wide local excision and microcalc clusters were left behind how have these clusters behaved since your surgery? I realise everyone is different I am just looking for strength, comfort and knowledge from hearing others' (similar) stories. Thank you x
I have widespread clusters of microcalfications across one breast. Three different biopsies have established that at least 2 of those clusters at atypia hyperplasia and at least 1 is low/intermediate grade DCIS. It's all very manageable and treatable however they clearly cannot biopsy all of the clusters as there'll be nothing left of my breast and an MRI has not provided any information one way or antoher on the risks or status of the other clusters. My surgeon was originally thinking of advising on a mastectomy given the widespread nature however, given the indeterminate status of many of the clusters she is concerned that this might be too drastic a step at this stage. She has come up with an alternative - wide local excision - which involves removing a wide section of my outer right breast containing the 3 sampled/confirmed areas, then testing the edges of the sample to assess whether there are any cells of concern at the edges. If no suspicious cells in the margins then they will proceed with a perforated flap reconstruction and will screen the remaining clusters annually. All sounds very sensible, however...
...I am afraid that testing will reveal further suspicious cells at the margins and I will end up with a mastectomy in any event. Equally, I may not. I would be keen to hear from anyone who's had a similar diagnosis and how it fared for you. If you 'only' had the wide local excision and microcalc clusters were left behind how have these clusters behaved since your surgery? I realise everyone is different I am just looking for strength, comfort and knowledge from hearing others' (similar) stories. Thank you x
