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| 11/30/2011 | Hi, is it normal for the surgeon to order a breast MRI after a breast excision biopsy was performed and pathology report shows grade 3 DCIS? it seems that this just delays the treatment. Also how long can someone wait to get a lumpectomy after an excisional biopsy to remove the microcalcification? how long will it take for the DCIS cancer cell to become invasive? Thanks. | ||
| Replied | JHU's Breast Center Reply | ||
| 11/30/2011 | Thank you for turning to the Johns Hopkins Breast Center. MRI's can be ordered after excisional biopsy to evaluate the extent of disease in the affected breast, as well as take a look at the contralateral (opposite) breast. It may seem like treatment is delayed, but what really is happening is that all possible information is being gathered to determine the most appropriate treatment. While all invasive ductal ca begins as DCIS, not all DCIS will become invasive. The issue is not knowing which DCIS will or won't, which is why DCIS is treated the way it is. We know it's hard to wait. Generally, by the time most breast cancers are detected on mammogram, they have been present for years. Hope this helps, and best wishes! | ||
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