Learning About Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is the growth of abnormal cells in the milk ducts of the breast. It's an early form of noninvasive breast cancer. Noninvasive means that the cells haven't spread. Some cases of DCIS will become invasive breast cancer, but it's impossible to know which ones.

The exact cause of DCIS isn't known. Age and family health history may play a part.

Most of the time, DCIS doesn't cause symptoms. But in some cases, symptoms can include a lump in the breast or fluid or blood coming from the nipple.

DCIS is usually seen as small bits of calcium (microcalcifications) on a mammogram. To diagnose DCIS, your doctor will remove a sample of breast tissue and look at it under a microscope. This is called a breast biopsy.

Treatment for DCIS is based on the grade and location of the cancer and other things, such as your overall health and what matters to you. The main treatment is:

• Surgery. The choices are:
  • Breast-conserving surgery. This removes just the cancer and a border of healthy tissue around it.
  • Mastectomy. This removes the whole breast. Nearby tissue may also be removed and checked for cancer cells.

Other treatments may include:

• Radiation therapy. This uses high-dose X-rays to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may be given after surgery.
• Endocrine therapy. These medicines block hormones that cause certain cancers to grow. This helps slow or stop cancer growth.

Clinical trials are being done to find out if active surveillance may be an option for some people with DCIS.

Your doctor will talk with you about your options and then make a treatment plan.