management

Last reviewed 03/2022

Untreated, DCIS is associated with a substantially increased risk of developing invasive carcinoma:

  • comedo type - 50% become invasive within 3 years
  • non-comedo type - 30% become invasive within 10-15 years

The optimal therapy remains controversial but should involve local resection with pathologically clear margins. This may be combined with various combinations of radiotherapy and/or tamoxifen. Regular follow-up with clinical examination and mammography is advised.

For women with widespread or multifocal microcalcifications, with Paget's disease, or who are elderly, a simple mastectomy may be preferred.