DCIS is short for "ductal carcinoma in situ." This is a condition in which the cells that line the breast's milk ducts are cancerous, yet they are contained and have not spread to surrounding breast tissue. DCIS is often described as noninvasive, preinvasive, precancerous or intraductal cancer. Treatment of DCIS is advised. While not every female that has DCIS will develop breast cancer, if it is left untreated it can invade breast tissue. If DCIS does spread to breast tissue it is considered invasive breast cancer.
Grades
DCIS is classified into three grades: high, intermediate and low. The grade that is given is determined by how the cells appear when they are observed under a microscope. Medical professionals can look at the cells and give an estimate as to how fast the cells may develop into invasive cancer and how likely they are to respond to treatment/surgery. High grades of DCIS are more likely to develop into invasive cancers over low grades.
Causes
No one knows what causes DCIS. However, some women seem more prone to developing DCIS than others. Women who have never had children, who have children when they are older, and women who begin their menstrual cycles at a young age, who enter menopause at a late age and women who have a history of breast cancers in their families are at higher risk of developing DCIS. These risk factors are generally the same as those involved for invasive breast cancer.
Symptoms
Women who have DCIS will generally have no symptoms. DCIS is usually detected via a mammogram. However, there are a small number of women with DCIS that did exhibit symptoms such as nipple discharge and/or a lump in the breast. Some women with DCIS reported a rash on their nipples.
Detection
If a mammogram detects an abnormal area, a tissue sample will be taken of the area and examined under a microscope. This is called a biopsy. It is performed under local anesthetic using a special needle. If DCIS is discovered, treatment options will depend on the grade that is given to the abnormal area.
Treatment
DCIS is generally treated with surgery. During surgery the abnormal area along with a portion of the normal tissue around it is removed. This procedure is called a WLE or "wide local excision." If the DCIS is large and/or very high grade, the breast may be removed along with some of the lymph nodes in the armpit. Surgery options/procedures are explained prior to surgery so women know what they can expect. Women who have high-grade DCIS will often be given radiotherapy after surgery. This is to reduce the likelihood that the DCIS returns. Radiotherapy is generally given five days a week for three to six weeks.
Tags: abnormal area, breast cancer, breast tissue, DCIS will, Women have
