Cancer that is "in situ" is sometimes not considered "cancer" because cancer is invasive, which means it can take over surrounding tissue.

So by definition, if it has not yet developed the ability to invade the surrounding tissue, they don't call it cancer.

They call it "pre-cancer".

I call it semantics.

Sorry you are dealing with this all over again so quickly. I hope your doctor can shed some light as to why it seems to be popping up so quickly again and if there are better treatment options.

Oops they did not take nodes....just LCIS dx'ed prior to surgery so a traditional preventive MX was done. Returning tues to get the nodes Tues next is my surgery date...can I ask for better borders since they were less than 1 cm? I can ask : )
The ILC is ER/PR +. But HER - the oncologist is new but I like that he wants to move faster than the last one. That's the latest - keeping me up at this late hour. Love to all

I do know that ... It binds the estrogen receptor sites from uptake....just in the speedy - trying to type as fast as I think - I make the silliest errors. Thanks much.

Hannah,

The Tamoxifen is a treatment for hormone positive cancers that should help limit your cancer's ability to grow if it part of the hormone positive subgroup.

Betcha that sounds like greek huh?

OK, so I don't know a lot about lobular cancer. But as it's a form of breast cancer, I'm going to assume (possibly incorrectly) that it follows a lot of the same aspects of IDC or DCIS.

They test it to see what "feeds" the cancer (or what stimulates growth). Sometimes it is hormones (ER+/PR+) and sometimes it's HER2+ (another subgroup). And sometimes it's negative for everything (known as triple negative).

Tamoxifen is a long term therapy targeted at the hormone positive gals (who make up like 70% of all BC). It helps to limit the amount of hormones your cancer would have access to. I hesitate to call it a hormone blocker because I know that's not right, but it is similar. Many women on it complain of hot flashes and pre-menopausal symptoms.

If your cancer is hormone positive, it might have a good effect. If it's not, I'm not sure why your oncologist would recommend it.

But I second Lori, I would get a second opinion (and maybe 3rd if the two oncologists disagree).

Insurance typically covers 2nd opinions and will cover a 3rd if there are 2 differing opinions.

Again, sorry it came back so quickly but awesome that you were so vigilant and found it before it became invasive.

they are recommending that i be seen at 6 month intervals....