Ductal carcinoma in situ, also called DCIS, is a relatively mild form of breast cancer, accounting for around 25 percent of breast cancer cases, according to Imaginis.com. The disease is characterized by abnormal cell growth within a breast duct, which is a tube designed to carry breast milk to the nipple during lactation. Patients with DCIS have tumor growth that has not yet spread beyond the breast duct but may eventually invade into other tissues within the breast and lead to more serious forms of breast cancer. Although many cases of DCIS may appear asymptomatic during a physical examination, some cases lead to noticeable signs and symptoms.
Breast Lump
In some cases, DCIS may lead to the development of a breast lump. As the cancer cells continue to grow, they form a defined lump localized within one breast duct. If allowed to grow, the lump may become detectable during a physical breast examination. A lump as a result of DCIS often feels very firm to the touch, since the lump is densely packed with cells and remains fixed and immovable within the breast, confined within the affected duct. To aid in early detection of breast tumors, such as DCIS, patients should perform a monthly breast self-examination to assess any changes in the consistency of the breasts and help with early diagnosis of breast cancer.
Abnormal Nipple Discharge
Another possible symptom of DCIS is abnormal nipple discharge, according to BreastCancer.org. Since each duct within the breast connects to the nipple, abnormal changes within the ductal tissue can lead to nipple abnormalities. Patients with DCIS may notice abnormal discharge from the nipple that may appear clear or a number of colors. Imaginis.com indicates that yellow, white or green nipple discharges may indicate noncancerous breast conditions, while pink, bloody, watery or dark nipple discharge may indicate the presence of a cancerous tumor within the breast. Women should check for any abnormal nipple discharge during monthly breast self-examinations and discuss any discharge with a physician.
Abnormal Mammogram Results
The most common symptom of DCIS is abnormal breast density, leading to an abnormal mammogram. BreastCancer.org indicates that around 80 percent of DCIS cases are initially found on a mammogram. A mammogram allows doctors to visualize the internal structure of the breast and detect any abnormally dense regions in the breast that may correspond to cancerous growth. Following the identification of abnormal growth on a mammogram, doctors will often perform a biopsy to confirm the presence of DCIS and then carry out cancer treatment to remove cancerous growth.
