Breast Cancer Health Center

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Some information about the natural history of untreated, palpable DCIS is available. A retrospective review of 11,760 biopsies performed between 1952 and 1968 identified 28 cases of untreated DCIS (noncomedo type).[10,11] All were found by clinical examination, underwent biopsy only, and were followed for 30 years. Nine women (32%) developed invasive breast cancer in the area of previous DCIS. Of these, seven cancers were diagnosed within 10 years of DCIS biopsy, and two were diagnosed between 10 and 30 years after biopsy. Many of the cancers were diagnosed at advanced stages, possibly because of the false reassurance of the previous "negative" biopsy. None of the women with invasive cancer received adjuvant systemic therapy. Four eventually died of the disease. These findings have been used as an argument both for and against aggressive diagnosis and treatment of DCIS.

Many DCIS cases will not progress to invasive cancer, and those that do are likely to be managed successfully at the time of progression. Thus, treatment of all screen-detected DCIS with surgery, radiation, and/or hormone therapy represents overdiagnosis and overtreatment for many. The Canadian National Breast Screening Study-2 of women aged 50 to 59 years found a fourfold increase in DCIS cases in women screened by clinical breast examination plus mammography compared with those screened by clinical breast examination alone, with no difference in breast cancer mortality.[12] (Refer to the PDQ summary on Breast Cancer Treatment for more information.)

References:

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2. White RR, Halperin TJ, Olson JA Jr, et al.: Impact of core-needle breast biopsy on the surgical management of mammographic abnormalities. Ann Surg 233 (6): 769-77, 2001.
3. American Cancer Society.: Cancer Facts and Figures 2010. Atlanta, Ga: American Cancer Society, 2010. Also available online. Last accessed June 16, 2011.
4. Allegra CJ, Aberle DR, Ganschow P, et al.: National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Conference statement: Diagnosis and Management of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ September 22-24, 2009. J Natl Cancer Inst 102 (3): 161-9, 2010.
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7. Fisher B, Dignam J, Wolmark N, et al.: Lumpectomy and radiation therapy for the treatment of intraductal breast cancer: findings from National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-17. J Clin Oncol 16 (2): 441-52, 1998.
8. Silverstein MJ: The University of Southern California/Van Nuys prognostic index for ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast. Am J Surg 186 (4): 337-43, 2003.
9. Fisher B, Dignam J, Wolmark N, et al.: Tamoxifen in treatment of intraductal breast cancer: National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-24 randomised controlled trial. Lancet 353 (9169): 1993-2000, 1999.
10. Page DL, Dupont WD, Rogers LW, et al.: Intraductal carcinoma of the breast: follow-up after biopsy only. Cancer 49 (4): 751-8, 1982.
11. Page DL, Dupont WD, Rogers LW, et al.: Continued local recurrence of carcinoma 15-25 years after a diagnosis of low grade ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast treated only by biopsy. Cancer 76 (7): 1197-200, 1995.
12. Miller AB, To T, Baines CJ, et al.: Canadian National Breast Screening Study-2: 13-year results of a randomized trial in women aged 50-59 years. J Natl Cancer Inst 92 (18): 1490-9, 2000.