Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is the earliest form of breast cancer and appears in the inner lining of breast ducts. The term in situ means that the cancer cells have not spread outside the breast duct to the surrounding tissue. Thus, survival rates are higher in this type of carcinoma. The disease can be controlled with appropriate treatment, and the outcome is usually excellent.
The five-year survival rate of people diagnosed with DCIS is over 98 percent. This means that over 98 percent of patients who are diagnosed with this cancer survive at least five years after their initial diagnosis.
There are different stages of cancer using Roman numerals from 0 (zero) to IV (four). Stage 0 indicates that cancer is in its initial stages and the survival rate is maximum, whereas cancer in stage IV is in its final stages and survival chances are less. To determine the stage of a tumor, the doctor might assess the original tumor (the primary tumor) and determine its size, location, and spread to another location (metastasis).
DCIS is always considered stage 0 and, hence, can be treated successfully with appropriate treatment. However, in some cases, the tumor can be of any size and may be found within several milk ducts inside the breast.
Although DCIS doesn’t pose any risk, it can turn invasive and spread to other tissues at any time.
What is ductal carcinoma in situ?
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a non-invasive type of breast cancer found only within the milk ducts of the breast. Milk ducts are tubes that transport milk from the lobes to the nipple openings during breastfeeding. These cells have not spread to the surrounding breast tissue and cannot spread elsewhere in the body.
DCIS is not life-threatening but has the potential to turn invasive.
Other names for DCIS include:
- Stage 0 cancer
- Noninvasive cancer
- Preinvasive cancer
Around 60,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with DCIS every year, which accounts for 20 percent of all new breast cancer diagnoses.
What’s the most effective treatment of DCIS?
Surgery is typically the first choice of treatment for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).
There are two types of surgery commonly recommended for DCIS:
- Lumpectomy: This is a less-invasive option where the surgeon removes the DCIS site and some surrounding healthy tissue. Doctors mostly recommend lumpectomy followed by other treatments.
- Mastectomy: It involves removal of the entire breast when DCIS covers a large area of the breast and appears at multiple spots in the breast.
Both of these surgeries guarantee excellent survival rates.
Although DCIS isn’t life-threatening, there are high chances for cancer recurrence. The idea of surgery is usually rejected when the risks outweigh the benefits. Surgery should be generally avoided in older people and those who have medical conditions that can prevent the success of the surgery.
What are other treatment options for DCIS?
For people who underwent a mastectomy, the risk of cancer recurrence is rare. Hence, they may not require additional treatments.
However, for people who have had a lumpectomy, the recurrence rate is higher and need additional therapy such as:
- Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy destroys cancer cells by using high-energy radiation such as X-rays.
- Hormone therapy: If ductal carcinoma in situ cells shows the presence of estrogen receptors, hormone therapy is indicated. Tamoxifen is a hormone-blocking drug that blocks estrogen action on the estrogen receptors.
QUESTION
A lump in the breast is almost always cancer. See AnswerHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
https://www.mskcc.org/news/what-ductal-carcinoma-situ-dcis-and-how-do-decide-right-treatment
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/ductal-carcinoma-in-situ-treatment-and-prognosis
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/understanding-a-breast-cancer-diagnosis/breast-cancer-survival-rates.html
Top Survival Rate of Ductal Carcinoma in Situ Related Articles
Bone Marrow Transplantation for Breast Cancer
Bone marrow transplantation is a treatment option for metastatic breast cancer. Check out the center below for more medical references on breast cancer, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is an invasive tumor that develops in the mammary gland. Breast cancer is detected via mammograms, breast self-examination (BSE), biopsy, and specialized testing on breast cancer tissue. Treatment of breast cancer may involve surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Breast cancer risk may be lowered by managing controllable risk factors.
What you should know about breast cancer
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women.
- One in every eight women in the United States develops breast cancer.
- There are many types of breast cancer that differ in their capability of spreading (metastasize) to other body tissues.
- The causes of breast cancer are unknown, although medical professionals have identified a number of risk factors.
- There are 11 common types of breast cancer and 4 uncommon types of breast cancer.
- Breast cancer early signs and symptoms include
- a lump in the breast or armpit,
- bloody nipple discharge,
- inverted nipple,
- orange-peel texture or dimpling of the breast's skin (peau d'orange),
- breast pain or sore nipple,
- swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpit, and
- a change in the size or shape of the breast or nipple.
- Breast cancer can also be symptom free, which makes following national screening recommendations an important practice.
- Breast cancer is diagnosed during a physical exam, by a self-exam of the breasts, mammography, ultrasound testing, and biopsy.
- Treatment of breast cancer depends on the type of cancer and its stage (0-IV) and may involve surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.
Young Women & Breast Cancer
Is breast cancer genetic? Should I get tested for the BRCA gene? What every young women should know about breast cancer. Discover the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and other crucial breast cancer facts.
Breast Cancer Follow-Up Self-Exam
A breast cancer follow-up self-exam is a test that may help a woman detect a recurrence of the disease. A woman should perform a monthly self-exam of both breasts as well as attend scheduled follow-up appointments to detect any breast cancer recurrence early. Lymph node involvement, tumor size, hormone receptor status, histologic grade, nuclear grade, and oncogene expression help determine the likelihood of a recurrence.
Breast Cancer Quiz
This Breast Cancer Quiz features signs, symptoms, facts, causes, common forms, terms, risk factors, statistics, and more. Increase your awareness of breast cancer now!
What Should I Know About Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is the most common non-skin cancer of American women, but it can also occur in men. Every year in the U.S., there are over 266,000 new diagnoses of breast cancer. A woman has a risk of one in eight for developing breast cancer at some point during her lifetime.
Everyday Habits to Lower Breast Cancer Risk
Concerned about your breast cancer risk? Here are everyday health habits you can adopt to improve your odds.
Breast Cancer: Female Celebrities Who’ve Had Breast Cancer
Celebrities face medical challenges too, including breast cancer. Find out how actors, entertainers, and other famous women dealt with their big health challenges.
Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer
Intensive genetic counseling is required before undergoing genetic tests for breast cancer. During this educational counseling session, the health care provider can fully explain the benefits and risks of genetic testing and answer any questions you may have. You will also be required to sign a consent form prior to participating in any genetic tests. The form is an agreement between you and your doctor, showing that you have discussed the test and how its results might affect your family.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer is an accelerated form of breast cancer that is not usually detected by mammogram or ultrasound. Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer include pain in the breast, skin change in the breast area, bruise on the breast,sudden swelling of the breast, nipple retraction or discharge, and swelling of the lymph nodes.
Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer
Radiation therapy for breast cancer is a form of treatment that utilizes high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Check out the center below for more medical references on breast cancer, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.
Role of Estrogen Receptors in Breast Cancer
Estrogen receptors (ERs) are receptors that are activated by the hormone estrogen (one of the female sex hormones). They are found most commonly in the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium), breast cells, ovarian cells, and a part of the brain (the hypothalamus).
Breast Cancer: Visual Guide to Male Breast Cancer
Breast cancer isn't just a woman's disease. Learn about the symptoms and treatment of male breast cancer, and find out what can put you at risk for this cancer.
What Are the Signs of Metastatic Breast Cancer?
Signs of metastatic breast cancer (breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body) include constant fatigue, constant nausea, loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss.
What Were Your First Signs of Inflammatory Breast Cancer?
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare but rapidly growing cancer that gives rise to several signs and symptoms, mostly within a span of three to six months. One of the first signs is most likely to be visible swelling (edema) of the skin of the breast and/or redness of the breast (covers more than 30 percent of the breast).