Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

Definition of terms:

Benign - Not cancerous; no threat to the body
Carcinoma - Cancer cells that start in surface layers or lining of the ducts
Malignant - Cancerous; threat to the body
Mastectomy - Removal of a breast by surgery
Metastasis - Spread of cancer to other parts of the body
Microcalcifications - Microscopic, dense areas of tissue seen on mammography, may be related to a malignant or benign condition
In situ - In one contained area
Lumpectomy - Removal of a lump and some surrounding tissues in the breast
Lymph nodes - Pea-like areas in the lymphatic system that act as filters of the body's cellular waste; lymph nodes under the arms filter waste from breast tissues
Radiation Therapy - Treatment with x-rays to kill cancer cells

Ductal carcinoma in situ is defined by some experts as a pre-malignant disease. This condition may have a potential for continuing to proliferate (grow) into an invasive (grows through the duct walls) cancer. Excessive overgrowth of abnormal cells has filled the ducts in which the disease is located. Some authorities refer to the condition as "non-invasive cancer" and others as "pre-cancer."

Most ductal carcinomas in situ are found by mammography when microcalcifications are observed in a clustered pattern. Usually, five or more calcifications in a very close area will be cause for the radiologist to study carefully the shape of the calcifications. If the shapes are suspicious, a biopsy, using needle localization or stereotactic technique, will be used to locate the findings and a biopsy will be performed. Sometimes a thickening or a soft mass will be found in the area of the breast. Occasionally, a nipple discharge will be a symptom of ductal carcinoma in situ.

When a biopsy of the area confirms ductal carcinoma in situ, you have a pre-cancer that has potential to spread and threaten your life. Very rarely has carcinoma in situ been found to have metastasized to the lymph nodes under the arms. Your physician will offer you several treatment options for carcinoma in situ, including: mastectomy, which offers a nearly 100% cure rate, lumpectomy with radiation therapy, lumpectomy without radiation therapy, or continued observation. A careful look at the extent of the disease, your age, family history and other factors will be considered in selecting the treatments appropriate for you.

For more information, please call The Connie Dwyer Breast Center at (973) 877-5189.

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