The most common form of non-invasive breast cancer is started in the milk ducts of the breast. This form of breast cancer is called Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). A carcinoma is any cancer, which originates in the skin, and other tissue that covers the lining of the internal organs and so this form of breast cancer covering the breasts qualifies as a carcinoma. In situ refers to the fact that the cancer has remained in its original site and has not traveled elsewhere in the body. The term non invasive also means that the cancer has not spread beyond the original site, for Ductal carcinoma this means it has not spread beyond the milk ducts. Ductal carcinoma in situ is not a life threatening cancer.

A person who has already had Ductal carcinoma in situ is at a far greater risk for having the cancer return, or developing a different kind of breast cancer than someone who has never had breast cancer before. In addition, if women have this kind of cancer they may be at risk for an invasive (cancer which has spread beyond the original site) at a later date. If the cancer returns, it mostly commonly occurs in five to ten years afterward. There is less than a 30 percent change that this situation will occur.

Women who have had surgery, which is called a lumpectomy to remove the Ductal carcinoma in situ, but have not had, follow up radiation treatment are the women who are most at risk. For women who have had radiation therapy after their lumpectomy the 30 percent change for the cancer returning now drops down to 15 percent. When cancer does recur there is a 50 percent chance that it will the same non-invasive cancer and a 50 percent change that it will be an invasive breast cancer, which is of a far greater concern for doctor and patient alike.

The American Cancer Society has reported that there are roughly 60,000 new Ductal carcinoma in situ cases diagnosed yearly in the United States. This figure will translate into one out of every 5 new breast cancers cases will be Ductal carcinoma in situ.

Reasons for the amount of new cases of Ductal carcinoma in situ reported

Women are living much longer lives these days and breast cancer is becomes more of a risk, as women get older.

Better early screening methods have evolved. Mammograms are picking up cancer much earlier than it was capable of doing in the past.

Symptom of Ductal carcinoma in situ

Many times women do not have any symptoms. Some however may have a leakage from the nipple and other may have a small lump. The major (80 percent) of cases for this kind of cancer is picked up on a mammogram.

Diagnosis of DCIS

Physical examination.

The diagnosis of Ductal carcinoma in situ can start with a breast examination in your doctor’s office. The doctor may find a small lump, however most of the time the lump cannot be detected in this fashion.

Mammography

Mammography examinations will pick up Ductal carcinoma in situ. When old cells die they form deposits of calcium, (calcifications or microcalsifications) within the broken dead cells. These calcifications give off a white speck or shadow that is then picked up by the mammogram.

Biopsy

Once the mammogram results are in, the doctor will want to take a biopsy to make sure. There are two types of biopsy usually taken for these kinds of cancers.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy

This procedure requires that a small and hollow needle is inserted into the breast to take out the cancer cells to be examined under the microscope for conformation of the presence of cancer. This needle insertion does not leave scars.

This is a larger needle designed to get a bigger sample and because of that, The doctor must make a small incision, which will leave a scar.

If the results are inconclusive an incisional biopsy is done and that incision removes a small piece of tissue. An excisional biopsy will remove the entire lump.

Treatment

The usual treatment is the removal of the lump and radiation treatment. However, in some cases the entire breast may be removed. Sometimes just a lumpectomy is performed. Hormonal therapy may also be used as a therapy.

Related Posts

• The Most Invasive Common Breast Cancer
• What Is Papillary Carcinoma Of The Breast?
• What Is Medullary Carcinoma Of The Breast?
• Invasive Lobular Carcinoma Of The Breast?
• Paget’s Disease