Diagnosed with DCIS: How do I decide on treatment?

Hi Sakina,
I had a breast MRI with contrast this morning. The ear plugs I brought worked well for the noise but keeping my arms up in front of me like I was ready to dive into a pool was quite painful (in my shoulders) and I couldn’t move for almost 40 minutes. The only thing that stopped me from squeezing the “I Quit” bulb they put in my hand was the knowledge that I would have to do it all over again! I was so relieved when it was over. The tech rubbed my shoulders for a minute and that really helped. As far as biopsies go, I had one using Ultrasound to guide the surgeon and another one this month using mammography (a “Stereotactic” biopsy) but I’ve never heard of a biopsy using MRI. Sorry. Let me know what you find out.

Welcome @tctredwell1, you've come to the right place to connect with other members who have DCIS, like @debra145 @ptown @shelleyc @collielady @jocelynk @goxango @kathyomaha55. They can share their experiences with getting a full diagnosis and deciding on treatments.

@tctredwell1, I'm sure this is all happening so face right now. All the best with your MRI today. I look forward to hear your update when/if you'd like to share.

If the DCIS is contained and not invasive, you will probably have a lumpectomy but choices about other treatments. It is true that contained DCIS is considered by some to be a pre-cancer so anything you do may be preventative rather than treating an active cancer. You may have an Oncotype test done to help guide decisions.

I have been diagnosed with DCIS too and have undergone MRI.
I will have to undergo a lumpectomy followed by radiation.
One thing to keep in mind is the positioning for MRI is very uncomfortable. They told me it is the ‘superwoman’ pose! Face down arms extended …. be prepared to stay in that posture for atleast half an hour.
My MRI confirmed the DCIS but it also showed a non mass density for which now I have to undergo another biopsy.
This time it is MRI guided biopsy.
Did anyone else have this?

I don't what your doctor will recommend but the recommendation will undoubtedly be governed largely the stage of the cancer. Which is determined by several variables, including size of the tumor, whether any lymph nodes are affected and other more qualitative things like location of the cancer and containment of cancer cells. The other factors include the type of cancer which the biopsy will note.

I'm assuming, since you have a diagnosis, that there was at least a biopsy done and the pathology report will yield a lot of information. I'd start by asking whoever made the cancer diagnosis these question. (DCIS is a cancer diagnosis though might be a Stage 0 which some oncologists consider a kind of 'pre-cancer' or possible-to-become-cancer.) And get a copy of any medical record in case you want to get a second opinion. And ask about any testing that can yield more data.

If a lumpectomy is suggested and you're worried about having one, I had one and it was a very simple procedure that healed, in my case at least, scar-free. (A small tumor, excellent surgeon, cancer-free margins.) I have a small scar from the removal of a lymph node that looks like a kitten-scratch and is nearly invisible eleven months later.) I had no pain from the lumpectomy and lymph node removal after discomfort (buy not pain) the first day.

I even had a lumpectomy when it was just "micro calcifications" - these are pre-cancerous as well. I had one in 2016 - 2 years before being diagnosed with IDC. The Oncotype test is a gene test done on the tissue removed. Mine was 22 - so no chemo.

Thank you for the reply.
Was yours initially diagnosed as DCIS? Or was it IDC from the initial diagnosis?

Yes - I had more than 1 MRI guided biopsy. It's kinda like "Battleship" the game - they put a grid up next to your breast - then go to the location like: A5 using the MRI. I thought it was more painful than the ultrasound biopsy. A robot did the actual needle stick - I assume the robot got the "depth" correct as well.

Mine turned out to be IDC - so it was invasive. I did a lumpectomy With 21 rounds of radiation, My OncoDX test was 22, so I did not need chemo. I had no lymph node involvement. Wishing you all the best.

If the DCIS is contained and not invasive, you will probably have a lumpectomy but choices about other treatments. It is true that contained DCIS is considered by some to be a pre-cancer so anything you do may be preventative rather than treating an active cancer. You may have an Oncotype test done to help guide decisions.