Over 200,000 American women develop breast cancer each year, according to BreastCancer.org. Of those cases, nearly 70,000 of them will be non-invasive forms of cancer. Non-invasive breast cancer has not spread from the point where it developed. A diagnosis of non-invasive cancer is good news, but still requires aggressive treatment and may increase the odds of a recurrence later in life. Understanding the different forms of non-invasive cancer can help you make treatment decisions.
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ
This type of cancer is the more common of the two non-invasive forms. According to the American Cancer Society, ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS, is responsible for one out of every five new cases of breast cancer diagnosed each year. The Stanford University Cancer Center reports that DCIS develops in the lining of the milk ducts. Treatment is often with a lumpectomy, and with proper treatment, the odds of survival five years from diagnosis is almost 100 percent. Unfortunately, according to BreastCancer.org, someone who develops DCIS has an increased risk of developing another case of non-invasive cancer in the future, as well as an increased risk of developing invasive cancer.
Lobular Carcinoma in Situ
Lobular carcinoma in situ, or LCIS, is not a traditional cancer, and many researchers prefer the name lobular neoplasia. This condition develops in the milk producing glands, or lobes, of the breast. The cells are not typical cancer cells, but are abnormal growths and can increase the risk of developing invasive breast cancer in the future. Treatment is not typically necessary in cases of LCIS, instead a strict observation program is developed. Frequent breast self exams, twice yearly clinical breast exams and annual mammograms are used to detect any changes in the breasts.
Stages of Cancer
Both DCIS and LCIS are stage 0 cancers, meaning that they have not spread outside of the site where they developed. Staging is a method that doctors use to express how the cancer is progressing. During the first two stages of breast cancer, the cancer has left the area where it developed, either the milk glands or ducts, and moved into the surrounding breast tissue. In stage II, the cancer is not only in the breast tissue, but also in the lymph nodes located under the arms. In stage III breast cancer, lymph nodes in other parts of your body as well as body tissue outside the breast contain cancer cells. The final stage of breast cancer is stage IV. In stage IV cancer, the cancer is metastatic, and has spread to other organs in the body.
