There are two types of in situ (Stage 0) breast cancer, lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) and ductual carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which are also referred to as non-invasive forms of breast cancer. Each of these forms of Stage 0 breast cancer are treated differently.
Ductual Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)
This is a condition where abnormal cells are found in the lining of the breast duct. While it can become invasive cancer and spread to other parts of the body, it is not possible to predict when and if this will happen.
Treatment options for ductual carcinoma in situ include may include one or more of the following:
- Surgery
- Depending on how large of an area the ductual carcinoma in situ is located, one of two types of surgery may be performed.
- Breast-sparing surgery
- The first, referred to as breast-sparing surgery (a lumpectomy or partial mastectomy), removes only the cancerous area of the breast.
- Mastectomy
- The second, known as a mastectomy (or bilateral prophylactic mastectomy) involves removal of the entire breast (or both breasts).
- Radiation Therapy
- For this form of non-invasive breast cancer, radiation therapy typically is recommended following a lumpectomy or partial mastectomy.
- Hormone Therapy
- Following surgery and/or radiation therapy, hormone therapy with tamoxifen (Nolvadex) also may be given to help reduce the risk of developing invasive breast cancer from ductual carcinoma in situ that has been classified as hormone receptor-positive.
Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS)
While lobular carcinoma in situ, another condition where abnormal cells are found in the glands of the breast that make milk (lobules), rarely leads to invasive breast cancer, it can increase the overall risk of developing breast cancer. While there is no specific anti-cancer treatment regimen that is typically given to treat lobular carcinoma in situ, many women may opt to follow one or more of the following treatment plans to help reduce their risk of developing breast cancer:
- Observation
- Once lobular carcinoma in situ is diagnosed, it is important to undergo yearly mammograms and MRIs to continuously observe and screen for the development of invasive breast cancer.
- Surgery
- Some women may choose to have a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy (removal of both breasts) to help reduce their risk of developing full-blown breast cancer.
- Hormone Therapy
- Studies have shown that hormone therapies such as tamoxifen (Nolvadex) or raloxifene (Evista) may help prevent breast cancer in women who are at high-risk.
- Tamoxifen
- Used for more than 30 years to treat breast cancer, tamoxifen is given as a pill and works by blocking the activity of estrogen.
- Raloxifene
- Raloxifene works in a similar manner to tamoxifen but has not been used or studied for as long as tamoxifen.
- Both therapies have serious side effect profiles that should be evaluated prior to starting therapy.
Related Articles
