Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)

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Introduction Signs and symptoms Causes Risk factors

When to seek medical advice Screening and diagnosis Treatment Coping skills

Introduction

In ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), abnormal cells multiply and form a growth within a milk duct of your breast. Although DCIS is an early form of breast cancer, it's noninvasive, meaning it hasn't spread out of the milk duct to invade other parts of the breast. Some experts consider DCIS to be a "preinvasive" condition. DCIS is the most common type of noninvasive breast cancer.

DCIS is usually found during mammogram screenings, but it can be difficult to detect. Because of increased screening with mammograms, the rate at which DCIS is diagnosed has increased dramatically in recent years. Fortunately, the condition isn't life-threatening, but it does require treatment. Unlike lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) — which really isn't a cancer at all but a marker for increased risk of developing invasive breast cancer — DCIS is more likely to develop into invasive breast cancer if left untreated.

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Signs and symptoms