I was one of those that was diagnosed with Stage 0 DCIS grade 3. 3 mammograms and 2 ultrasounds said my tumor was 1.7cm. I had MRI and size increased to 4.6cm. I had bilateral mastectomy NOV 28 and 2 lymph nodes removed. One came back positive. Now going to be doing TCHP for 6 rounds with herceptin and the continue the herceptin for a year then 3 weeks of radiation. Chemo starts in Jan and I am nervous and not sure what to expect just yet.

If you have to get breast cancer, DCIS the best option. It is 100% curable with surgery. While in the diagnostic stage, they usually do both breasts while you are hanging out (literally) in the MRI machine, because they are right there. DCIS can be tricky, and not all seen in a mammogram. The MRI is used for surgical planning. The hope for surgery is get it all the first time. If they don’t get clear margins, a second surgery is needed.
I know this is a lot to take in. Keep a list of things ask they pop up, and ask your surgeon. It is his/her job to help you understand this process.
If it is only DCIS, no chemo. It doesn’t kill DCIS. Now occasionally, when surgery is done for DCIS, they will find invasive carcinoma. That can change things.
Wishing you well!

Ductal Carcinoma in-situ means the cancer is in your milk ducts. It can still spread if it was left alone. Radiation would kill any residual cells that might be left behind after surgery and chemo is probably not necessary. MRI is just another imagining test to get a better look at it.

MRI found Invasive Ductal Carcinoma and Lobular Cancer, neither were picked up on mammogram, 3D mammogram or ultrasound. I didn’t have a mass and the tumor was very small. Size of my finger nail. Grade 1. MRI saved me.