Radiation for High Grade DCIS after double mastectomy

[tina7]

My name is Tina, I am 47 years old and I was recently diagnosed with extensive High Grade DCIS in my left breast along with a small amount of LCIS in my right breast.  The left breast was so extensive 12 cm  in lower quadrant and more DCIS in the upper quadrant.  I had a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction (implants) on June 12th with sentinal node removed from the left side only.  My pathology report came back with no nodes infected and high grade DCIS (comdeo carcinoma type).  No invasion present.  I feel blessed as I consider this to be a miracle.  I have been informed by the surgeon that I will require radiation due to the grade of DCIS.  Does anyone know approx how many weeks of radiation I would require?  I am waiting for my appointment with the onconlogist and since I had a double mastectomy I didnt think there would be much to radiate.

Appreciate any info that anyone can give.  

Thanks so much
Tina

[Kamal S Saini, MD, MRCP (UK), DM]

Hi Tina,
I would not like to second guess your radiation oncologist about the plan in your specific case; however, many patients typically recieve radiation for 5 to 6 weeks.
Was your DCIS positive for hormone receptors (ER, PR)? If so, maybe you would like to consult your medical oncologist and have a discussion about the benifits (and risks) of Tamoxifen therapy.
All the best, and God Bless.

[Kamal S Saini, MD, MRCP (UK), DM]

Hi Tina,
Taking Tamoxifen is the correct thing to do; it will substantially reduce your risks of breast cancer.
Also, it is good clinical practice to repeat the histopathology examination at the treating cancer centre. Please relax. Wait for the histopathology review report and then meet your oncologist again.
Good Luck!

[tina7]

Thank you ever so much for responding to my request, I am so grateful.  I am ER receptive positive and did see the oncologist yesterday, she did discuss the tamoxifen with me and I decided to take it.  Hopefully it was a wise choice?  The other thing is she said my pathology report looked good other than in one area it says that the margin is less than 2mm or within 2mm.  If this was not the case and the margin was larger, I would be done and there would be no radiation offered.  She has decided to have the breasts brought down (from the Hospital) to the Cancer agency and re-run the pathology.  I am so nervous, what are the chances that it will come back different?   The pathology report was good and I pray nothing changes in it.  What are your views?

Again thank you so much for your assistance and help it is much appreciated.