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Right breast cancer DCIS: Is 4-5 weeks of radiation normal protocol?
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Apr 19 1:36pm | Replies (95)Comment receiving replies
DCIS, Stage 0, grade 2. Chose lumpectomy - had to have 3 to get clear margins. Now am looking at 20 radiation treatments after CT scan - 16 regular and 4 boosts - starting April 8th. I am also supposed to start anastrozole after last radiation appointment but I really don't want to. I've heard such bad things about it. My oncologist did just prescribe 30 days of it to see how I do instead of going for a 90 days prescription right off the bat. I guess I like that but I'm very nervous about taking it. Also - it's so confusing when people call DCIS non-cancer or pre-cancer and others call it cancer. If it isn't cancer then why do we get treated as if it were cancer? And if it IS cancer then why call it something else? We have the same fears.
Replies to "DCIS, Stage 0, grade 2. Chose lumpectomy - had to have 3 to get clear margins...."
@pattier I too had DCIS but to simplify things I just call it cancer. Fact is, some DCIS recurs more often than true cancer that has been appropriately treated. And there is a 50% chance of a recurrence being invasive not just another DCIS. So the fear is there, and the need to get treatment.
I had grade 2 like yours. Depending on why it is scored a 2 makes it more concerning to me. I do not know the breakdown of my score. But if the miotic (rate of growth) is high, along with some solid type cancer cells (vs cribriform or papilloma) there might be a greater chance of it breaking out of the duct.
Pathology looks at whether the myoepithelial cells surround the lesion - if it does it’s good and indicates the cancer cells have not broken through the duct. Pathology also considers whether there is abnormal p53 immunohistochemical expression. If normal p53 is present then it is another indication that the DCIS is contained.
For some of us, removing the DCIS and treatment means we’re done. For others, there may be a recurrence. And although there are indicators, like p53 and the myoepithelial layer - they still can’t predict 100% accurately of who will have a recurrence. And that’s why I just call my DCIS cancer - because the potential of cancer is very real. And the difference between DCIS vs cancer takes more explanation than some friends want to hear.
I try to be very respectful and aware, though, when talking or posting about my experience. Because I haven’t faced the same risks and chemotherapy that others with invasive cancer have. I always hope that I express empathy and not make treatment sound easy, because I have not experienced some of the situations, treatment, risks, that others have.
I agree! Just had the same conversation tonight about why they call DCIS “pre cancer” when clearly we need to have it removed then go through treatment. My lumpectomy is scheduled for 4/19. I’m not nervous yet but I know I will be as it gets closer. It feels like such a relief after each step.. biopsy, MRI, ultrasound and second biopsy but then there’s always something else lurking in the future. Right now the plan is 4 weeks radiation then possibly 1 week boost. No hormone blockers because I’m Estrogen/progesterone negative. Which is another worry.
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Hi Pattie,
I have thought about that as well. In the video I linked, the Doctor explains that DCIS and IDC treatment protocols are the same - I believe IDC is DCIS that has burst out of containment. I hope you can check out the video - it became my reference point for making decisions. There are a couple of good discussions about the risk/benefits of medications as well as radiation, etc. I think I have watched it three times now. I think you will find it interesting if you go to the link and start watching at 42:00 minutes - pertains to your situation. Said a prayer for you!