Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 9/4/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have been diagnosed with DCIS. The doctor said all was removed in the biopsy with very clear margins.  He has suggested 2 different kinds of treatment as preventative measures.  If it was all removed in the biopsy what do I need to prevent?  Are there any statistics on women in my situation that chose no treatment versus radiation or mastectomy.

ANSWER: Yes there ARE such statistics! I suppose that what has been done - even if also a biopsy - was a lumpectomy. You can NEVER be completely sure that everything has been removed! That is why extra treatment is necessary. I do not regard a mastectomy as necessary in this situation, but postsurgical radiation therapy is indeed necessary! Not to do it would be malpractice! There is clear statistics on that!



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Where can I find the statistics that I am looking for?  I want to know the statistics about women who chose not to do any kind of treatment versus those that did.

Answer
You have received a complementary answer from me on the subject. To refuse radiation therapy would indeed be playing Russian roulette with your health & life. If your cancer comes back AT LEAST a mastectomy would be necessary - which it is not now - and the situation could also well be life threatening which it does seem not to be now! So I must STRONGLY advise against any choice of refusing further treatment!