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Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a non-invasive breast cancer. Many issues in the treatment of DCIS are under study. These include ways to predict which cases of DCIS will progress to invasive breast cancer to target treatment to those who are at higher risk.
After discussing the benefits and risks with your health care provider, we encourage you to consider joining a clinical trial of a new treatment for DCIS.
BreastCancerTrials.org in collaboration with Susan G. Komen® offers a custom matching service that can help you find a clinical trial that fits your health needs. Learn more about this program.
Learn more about clinical trials.
Hormone receptor status and DCIS
Hormone receptor testing of DCIS tumors is becoming more common as the benefits of tamoxifen appear limited to hormone receptor-positive (estrogen receptor-positive and/or progesterone receptor-positive) DCIS [100,109].
Learn more about hormone receptor status and invasive breast cancer.
Aromatase inhibitors and DCIS
Women with hormone receptor-positive DCIS may benefit from hormone therapy. At this time, tamoxifen is the only hormone therapy used to treat hormone receptor-positive DCIS. The use of aromatase inhibitors (instead of tamoxifen) for DCIS treatment is under study, but results are not yet available [110].
Learn more about aromatase inhibitors.
Lumpectomy with or without radiation therapy
For women with early breast cancer, radiation therapy is given after lumpectomy (also called breast conserving surgery). However, there are questions about the need for radiation therapy after lumpectomy for DCIS.
A pooled analysis of data from four randomized controlled trials found radiation therapy after lumpectomy for DCIS decreased the risk DCIS recurrence, and possibly the risk of invasive breast cancer [102]. Select women with smaller, lower grade DCIS and clean surgical margins, may be candidates for lumpectomy without radiation therapy [100,106]. However, which women might avoid radiation therapy is still under study.
Our commitment to research
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| At Susan G. Komen®, we are committed to ending breast cancer forever by energizing science to find the cures and ensuring quality care for all people, everywhere. Our global research grants and scientific programs are essential driving forces for achieving this mission. Many of the world’s leaders in breast cancer research have been supported by Komen’s Research and Scientific Programs – including three Nobel Laureates. Komen’s funding has supported research that has resulted in a better understanding of breast cancer; earlier detection; personalized, less invasive treatments for what was once a “one-treatment-fits-all” disease; and improved survival rates. Learn more about the exciting research we are funding. |
*Please note, the information provided within Komen Perspectives articles is only current as of the date of posting. Therefore, some information may be out of date at this time.
Updated 04/19/13
