DCIS and Sjogrens

Posted by alohalmv @alohalmv, Jan 20 7:01pm

Diagnosed with DCIS grade 2 and stage 0 in 10/23. I also have Sjogrens (auto immune disease) with lung involvement. Surgeon and medical team have recommended lumpectomy with no radiation due to my age (74 years) and Sjogrens. Pathology findings of lumpectomy to determine oral treatment. Please share your experience and treatment. Thank you.

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Rubyslippers | @triciaot | Jan 20 11:07pm

I’m 69, also diagnosed with DCIS grade 2, stage 0 in 2022. I had a lumpectomy, with radiation, and I’m on Tamoxifen. My bones were at osteoporosis level prior to diagnosis and I had trouble with tendons/facia in the past (plantar fasciitis two times and DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis). I preferred to not take an AI for those reasons.

Because I am 19 years post menopause, the tamoxifen acts as an agonist in other body parts besides my breast. I believe that the estrogenic behavior of tamoxifen may be beneficial to your Sjogrens if it behaves like a agonist in your body, too. But definitely ask your oncologist about that, I am no expert. From what I’ve read Sjogrens progresses in a low estrogen environment so an AI may exacerbate your symptoms. But AIs and tamoxifen are used for ER+ cancer and you may not have hormone positive cells.

Wishing you the best!