Thank you. I am 54 already done menopause have a strong family history of cancer just not breast. I don’t think I will be able to handle the stress every 6 months. I think I have decided on the mastectomy.
I'm 63 and I chose the same; prophylactic DMX over high risk, monitoring or low level chemo over an extended period of time. I chose a flat closure. I'm app. eight weeks out; incision looks great and I'm very happy with my decision.
I am thinking of doing ultrasound screenings following my preventative double mastectomy for LCIS. It has been 2 years since the mastectomy and I have told to just do periodic palpating of the chest wall and underarms as a way to monitor for abnormalities. Does anyone have any experience or inputs as to whether ultrasound can detect anything cancer related for someone like me with mastectomy without reconstruction?
LCIS typically doesn't spread it is when it becomes invasive; and of course it's called invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). so since having your mastectomy, you've greatly reduce the risk of any spreading. But due to the linear nature of the cells in LCIS and ILC an ultrasound would be not able to visualize this rare form of cancer; it is thread like in nature. An MRI will visualize LCIS and metastatic cells because there is an intravenous contrast dye that lights up the cells. So the key is to continue to monitor your chest wall and if you feel a difference, see your surgeon - if they think something's up, they'll order an appropriate diagnostic. That said if metastatic BC spreads to bone the bone will deform and you would be able to " see" the presence of cancer using ultrasound - but you don't see the cancer cells themselves and if you did have what appeared to be bone cancer, they would still have to decide whether the cancer is in the bone originally or metastatic from another cancer in your body. I work in bio engineering and I know our diagnostic imagery is getting better and better so hopefully in the future, we won't have to use radioactive isotopes for contrast dyes -and/or maybe we will be able to create higher Fidelity pictures with ultrasound? Time will tell.. of course if there are any breakthroughs and visualization of LCIS and ILC I will gladly post links! Knowledge is power.... good luck with your decisions and your journies!
I was diagnosed with LCIS after having an elective breast reduction in 2/2024. They tested the tissue and found LCIS. I have been on a 6 month imaging schedule and started taking tamoxifen (10mg) at the end of March this year. The LCIS has not been pleomorphic, but I have had 1 ultrasound biopsy and 2 (at once) MRI biopsy. My next imaging is February of 2026. At my last appointment/consult, the doctor very strongly suggested a mastectomy. I am not ready to make that decision at this point, I am going to wait until after the scans in February, and pray for no growth or new areas. If that is not the case, I'm not sure how I feel about the mastectomy. I am about to be 49 years old, and really am not sure what the right choices are.
I was diagnosed with LCIS after having an elective breast reduction in 2/2024. They tested the tissue and found LCIS. I have been on a 6 month imaging schedule and started taking tamoxifen (10mg) at the end of March this year. The LCIS has not been pleomorphic, but I have had 1 ultrasound biopsy and 2 (at once) MRI biopsy. My next imaging is February of 2026. At my last appointment/consult, the doctor very strongly suggested a mastectomy. I am not ready to make that decision at this point, I am going to wait until after the scans in February, and pray for no growth or new areas. If that is not the case, I'm not sure how I feel about the mastectomy. I am about to be 49 years old, and really am not sure what the right choices are.
My LCIS was found on the left side about 7 years ago. I was almost 2 decades post menopausal and had numerous negative biopsies since my 30s.Opted to not take tamoxifen due to familial high platelets. I have been on a six month alternating MRI with 3D mammos. Highly skilled radiologist found 5mm ILC in right breast following mammogram 6/25.surgery 7/25.Markers and past genetic testing all good, clear margins, and now undergoing 15 radiation treatment & Anastrozole (no noticeable side effects). Was given a choice of mastectomy, but opted for this treatment plan for Stage 1,More manageable side effects for me as a 77 year old living alone. It’s such an individual choice with all your history, genetics, and your hormone,HER2 markers.Got my Oncotype DX of 7 just this week.I have 2 daughters in their mid 40s and hopefully all this will help guide them,if needed, in future. I wish the best and most info possible in your decisions and treatment.
So they think they got it all, but did not do any radiation because of your recent surgery. I’m kind of assuming that. I also had lobular cancer stage one B a year ago,and so I looked at a lot of options, but I’m a lot older than you are. When this cancer returns, from what I understand, it comes back in 10 or 15 years. And it often comes back in an advanced stage. I don’t want to alarm you, but this is what I’m reading. It’s good for us to be educated about this disease. For me, I might not be alive in 15 years so I chose not to do a mastectomy. But if I were younger, in my forties, I would have the mastectomy, just for my own peace of mind. I want to live to enjoy my family. Also if I were you, I would try to get to MD Anderson or Dana Farber. They are two of the hospitals who have a lot more experience with lobular. At this point, they just don’t know a lot about this type of cancer. Many hospitals are treating lobular and ductal the same but they’re not the same. Make the choice that you are comfortable with!
LCIS in left breast about six years ago, and fine on that side with alternating MRI and 3D mammograms every six months. Thanks to a very sharp radiologjst, a 5mm ILC was found 3 or so months ago. Clear margins and hormone +HER2- markers. Almost finished with 15 radiation treatments, and a month on Anastrozole. A little tired, but really not any noticeable side effects so far. The radiated right bosom seems to be getting smaller, which seems a bit odd. Age 77, living alone with phone support from daughters, so I appreciate the great support from the Cancer Care Center in Hershey, and connecting on this site.
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I'm 63 and I chose the same; prophylactic DMX over high risk, monitoring or low level chemo over an extended period of time. I chose a flat closure. I'm app. eight weeks out; incision looks great and I'm very happy with my decision.
LCIS typically doesn't spread it is when it becomes invasive; and of course it's called invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). so since having your mastectomy, you've greatly reduce the risk of any spreading. But due to the linear nature of the cells in LCIS and ILC an ultrasound would be not able to visualize this rare form of cancer; it is thread like in nature. An MRI will visualize LCIS and metastatic cells because there is an intravenous contrast dye that lights up the cells. So the key is to continue to monitor your chest wall and if you feel a difference, see your surgeon - if they think something's up, they'll order an appropriate diagnostic. That said if metastatic BC spreads to bone the bone will deform and you would be able to " see" the presence of cancer using ultrasound - but you don't see the cancer cells themselves and if you did have what appeared to be bone cancer, they would still have to decide whether the cancer is in the bone originally or metastatic from another cancer in your body. I work in bio engineering and I know our diagnostic imagery is getting better and better so hopefully in the future, we won't have to use radioactive isotopes for contrast dyes -and/or maybe we will be able to create higher Fidelity pictures with ultrasound? Time will tell.. of course if there are any breakthroughs and visualization of LCIS and ILC I will gladly post links! Knowledge is power.... good luck with your decisions and your journies!
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Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI was diagnosed with LCIS after having an elective breast reduction in 2/2024. They tested the tissue and found LCIS. I have been on a 6 month imaging schedule and started taking tamoxifen (10mg) at the end of March this year. The LCIS has not been pleomorphic, but I have had 1 ultrasound biopsy and 2 (at once) MRI biopsy. My next imaging is February of 2026. At my last appointment/consult, the doctor very strongly suggested a mastectomy. I am not ready to make that decision at this point, I am going to wait until after the scans in February, and pray for no growth or new areas. If that is not the case, I'm not sure how I feel about the mastectomy. I am about to be 49 years old, and really am not sure what the right choices are.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionMy LCIS was found on the left side about 7 years ago. I was almost 2 decades post menopausal and had numerous negative biopsies since my 30s.Opted to not take tamoxifen due to familial high platelets. I have been on a six month alternating MRI with 3D mammos. Highly skilled radiologist found 5mm ILC in right breast following mammogram 6/25.surgery 7/25.Markers and past genetic testing all good, clear margins, and now undergoing 15 radiation treatment & Anastrozole (no noticeable side effects). Was given a choice of mastectomy, but opted for this treatment plan for Stage 1,More manageable side effects for me as a 77 year old living alone. It’s such an individual choice with all your history, genetics, and your hormone,HER2 markers.Got my Oncotype DX of 7 just this week.I have 2 daughters in their mid 40s and hopefully all this will help guide them,if needed, in future. I wish the best and most info possible in your decisions and treatment.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsSo they think they got it all, but did not do any radiation because of your recent surgery. I’m kind of assuming that. I also had lobular cancer stage one B a year ago,and so I looked at a lot of options, but I’m a lot older than you are. When this cancer returns, from what I understand, it comes back in 10 or 15 years. And it often comes back in an advanced stage. I don’t want to alarm you, but this is what I’m reading. It’s good for us to be educated about this disease. For me, I might not be alive in 15 years so I chose not to do a mastectomy. But if I were younger, in my forties, I would have the mastectomy, just for my own peace of mind. I want to live to enjoy my family. Also if I were you, I would try to get to MD Anderson or Dana Farber. They are two of the hospitals who have a lot more experience with lobular. At this point, they just don’t know a lot about this type of cancer. Many hospitals are treating lobular and ductal the same but they’re not the same. Make the choice that you are comfortable with!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsLCIS in left breast about six years ago, and fine on that side with alternating MRI and 3D mammograms every six months. Thanks to a very sharp radiologjst, a 5mm ILC was found 3 or so months ago. Clear margins and hormone +HER2- markers. Almost finished with 15 radiation treatments, and a month on Anastrozole. A little tired, but really not any noticeable side effects so far. The radiated right bosom seems to be getting smaller, which seems a bit odd. Age 77, living alone with phone support from daughters, so I appreciate the great support from the Cancer Care Center in Hershey, and connecting on this site.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction