User:Mr. Ibrahem/Ductal carcinoma in situ

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), also known as intraductal carcinoma, is a pre-cancerous or non-invasive cancer of the breast. It rarely produces symptoms; typically being detected by screening mammography, though occasionally nipple discharge, rash at the nipple, or a breast lump may occur. About 20% of cases develop into invasive breast cancer; though, this may be as high as 60% without treatment during prolonged follow-up.

Risk factors include older age, family history, not having children, and the genetic changes BRCA1 and BRCA2. The abnormal cells only occur within breast ducts; though this may involve a large area of the breast. Diagnosis is generally suspected when a mammogram finds calcification; with tissue biopsy used for confirmation. It is classified as stage 0 cancer and can vary from low-grade to high-grade.

Treatment is generally by surgery, either a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. Other treatments that may be used include radiation therapy and hormone therapy. With treatment life expectancy is typically normal; though, over 20 years the risk of death from breast cancer is three times greater at about 3%.

DCIS is diagnosed in more than 60,000 women in the United States and 7,000 in the United Kingdom per year. It represents about 25% of breast cancer in women and about 10% of male breast cancer. Rates have increased from less than 5% before screening programs launched. There is disagreement on its status as cancer; with some bodies include DCIS when calculating breast cancer statistics, while others do not.