Non-Invasive Breast Cancers

Ductal Cancer In Situ (DCIS) and Lobular Cancer In Situ (LCIS)

Jun 6, 2008

These two types of breast cancer do not spread throughout the body. But an LCIS diagnosis carries a higher risk of developing invasive breast cancer whereas DCIS does not

The waiting period between a woman finding a lump in her breast and receiving a diagnosis is a difficult time. The good news is that eight out of ten of them will be told that the lump is benign, or non-cancerous. But even when the diagnosis is cancer, two types of tumor have a better prognosis than the others.

Invasive breast cancers require aggressive treatment, generally including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. In situ breast cancers usually don’t require as much treatment; however, LCIS is considered an indicator of increased risk of developing invasive cancer, according to recent research.

Ductal Cancer In Situ

If the diagnosis is Ductal Cancer In Situ (DCIS), the prognosis is very good. Ductal breast cancer is found in the lining of the milk ducts. The term in situ means ‘confined to the site of origin’. There is no spread of the cancerous cells to other parts of the body. It is considered a Stage 0 cancer.

DCIS tumors may be removed via a lumpectomy if the cancerous area is small enough. Radiation is generally recommended to ensure that no cancerous cells remain. If the tumor is large, mastectomy may be recommended. In this case radiation may be necessary only if tests reveal cancerous tissue near the surgical site.

Chemotherapy is not part of the cancer treatment protocol for DCIS as chemotherapy addresses the spread of cancer to other parts of the body, which does not occur in this case. Recurrence rates vary from 1-10% for this type of breast cancer.

Lobular Cancer In Situ

Lobular Cancer In Situ (LCIS) is found in the milk producing glands, rather than in the milk ducts. LCIS itself is not a life threatening cancer but it is associated with a higher risk of developing invasive breast cancer.

Women with other risks for breast cancer, such as a family history of breast cancer or known breast cancer gene abnormality, who develop LCIS may be advised to monitor the situation more closely. A twice-yearly breast evaluation, in addition to MRIs and/or mammograms on a more frequent basis is generally the rule of thumb for LCIS.

Breast Cancer Prevention Lifestyle Suggestions

Women who have gone through breast cancer treatment can reduce the risk of recurrence by some simple healthy lifestyle decisions. Regular exercise and maintenance of a reasonable bodyweight, along with limiting alcohol and fat consumption have all been shown to have some effect on decreasing the risk of breast cancer.

The copyright of the article Non-Invasive Breast Cancers in Breast Health is owned by Dawn M. Smith. Permission to republish Non-Invasive Breast Cancers in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Jun 12, 2008 12:01 PM

Guest :

Our family experience is that DCIS can be treated without surgury or radiation. My wife's DCIS was resolved (as demonstrated in a series of MRI's) following her rejection of the surgeons recomendation for mastectomy. She changed her diet(no processed foods, no flour products, no sugar other than that found in whole foods), used bio-identical progesterone cream, Essiac tea, acupuncture and herbs, vitamins, minerals, omega 3&6, meditation and yoga. She also particiapted in 6 weeks of a 3 month trial of temoxifen which she stopped as it made her body weak. Her doctor was stunned when she saw the MRI confirming the resolution of the condition. There are alternatives to the "Standard of Care". DCIS may be overtreated on a grand scale. Its time to research cases like my wifes.

Jun 12, 2008 12:14 PM

Dawn M. Smith :

Its great to get feedback like this. In researching this article there was no 'hard evidence' for me to use to present alternatives. Your 'case study' gives women a healthy alternative to radiation and tamoxifen, both of which have serious side effects. Thank you!