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Kate1976's avatar
Kate1976
Member
13 years ago

Clear or not clear margins??

Hi ladies, I've been stalking for a couple of weeks but first time blogger looking for some support. My IDC has good and bad points. Tumour was grade 3 but only 9mm. It has been removed via lumpectomy with clear margins and no node involvement so stage 1A!! However... There was high grade DCIS and the surgeon was not able to get a clear margin on it because he shaved as close to the muscle as possible. I'm told that bc doesn't grow into the muscle and that I would get no further benefit from going back into surgery to try and achieve a better margin either by further lumpectomy or mastectomy. Does this sound similar to any one else's scenario? Of course my mind is going to recurrance risks and therefore overall prognosis... Treatment plan is chemo, radio and tamoxifen (100% ER positive). Would really appreciate if anyone could share their insights into DCIS margins... Thanks ladies, Kate

3 Replies

  • Thanks tish for your reply. I'm now half way though chemo and I think radiation is going to be a big part of my treatment given the remaining "0.1 mm in several places" of DCIS still left in there. Hoping that radio to the chest wall will zap away those buggers! I will defo check out your website! Cheers, Kate
  • Hi Kate,

    I had to go back for a wider clear margin too; then had chemo & radiation. I started on tamoxifen but switched to zoladex + arimidex because the tamoxifen was making me feel nauseous. I was also on effexor for about 6 months. I was diagnosed in Jan 2009. I have put together some resources on my website www.hatiheri.com, including pics. Feel free to ask any questions about anything :-) As I am sure the oncologist has told you, we are all different, but it's definitely nice to have a chat/sounding board from time to time.

    I hope it goes as smoothly as possible for you.

    Tish

  • Hi Kate,

    I had to go back for a wider clear margin too; then had chemo & radiation. I started on tamoxifen but switched to zoladex + arimidex because the tamoxifen was making me feel nauseous. I was also on effexor for about 6 months. I was diagnosed in Jan 2009. I have put together some resources on my website www.hatiheri.com, including pics. Feel free to ask any questions about anything :-) As I am sure the oncologist has told you, we are all different, but it's definitely nice to have a chat/sounding board from time to time.

    I hope it goes as smoothly as possible for you.

    Tish