Commentary

Most patients with DCIS are being treated with lumpectomy and radiation as local therapy. While there is considerable controversy about selection of patients for breast-conserving therapy without radiation, only about one in seven women receive this local treatment approach.

There is significant variation in the use of tamoxifen for DCIS patients. Although NSABP B-24 demonstrated approximately a 50% reduction in the rates of all breast cancer events with the use of tamoxifen in DCIS patients, some physicians believe the potential toxicities outweigh the absolute benefits of therapy in many patients with this low-risk lesion.

Select publications

Bordeleau L et al. A comparison of four treatment strategies for ductal carcinoma in situ using decision analysis. Cancer 2001;92(1):23-9. Abstract

Fisher B et al. Prevention of invasive breast cancer in women with ductal carcinoma in situ: An update of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project experience. Semin Oncol 2001;28(4):400-18. Abstract

Mirza NQ et al. Ductal carcinoma-in-situ: Long-term results of breastconserving therapy. Ann Surg Oncol 2000;7(9):656-64. Abstract

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