DCIS - What is it? Is that really "not cancer"?

In a recently released video. actor Mahima Chaudhary narrates that during an annual screening, she was detected with 'DCIS'. 

What is DCIS? Is it cancer? Is it not?

I thought I owe this explanation to my readers. So, here I go. Read on to find out. 

Why did she need an annual screening? 

Why did  Mahima go for that annual screening? Was there a real need when she showed no symptoms? 

Screening means getting tests to detect cancer as early as possible - even before you have any symptom. 

Read more about cancer screening tests here and talk to your doctor to know whether you should be annually screened for breast cancer. 

What is DCIS?

DCIS is the short form for 'ductal carcinoma in situ'. 

It is also called intraductal carcinoma. 

Is DCIS cancer? 

Yes, DCIS is cancer. 

It is a very early stage of breast cancer. 

Let's understand the term 'ductal carcinoma in situ'. 

Carcinoma, as you may recall, is just a more technical terminology for cancer. 

Ductal carcinoma refers to the detection of cancer cells inside the milk ducts of the breast. 

'in situ' means it is situated 'in its original place'. 

'in-situ carcinoma' is a term used for cancer that is non-invasive or 'pre-invasive' which means it has not yet reached a stage when it has spread to through the walls of the milk duct. 

This is very early stage of breast cancer. The cells inside the milk duct have become abnormal or changed to cancer cells but they have not yet spread through the walls of the milk duct to the nearby breast tissue. 

Should I be bothered about DCIS?

DCIS is usually found during a screening mammography. It is detected as small irregulat clusters of calcification on the mammogram. 

Typically, it does not have any signs or symptoms. It can sometimes cause signs such as

 

*  Breast lump

*  Bloody discharge from the nipple

DCIS still has not spread outside the duct. As it has not spread into the adjoining breast tissue, it cannot metastasize (or spread to distant parts of the body). 

DCIS can sometimes become an invasive cancer. When this happens, the cancer can spread to adjoining breast tissue as well as to cause distant metastasis. 

Currently, there are no sure-shot ways to know which DCIS cases will turn into invasive cancer and which will not. 

How is DCIS treated?

A woman with DCIS can choose to get only the affected area removed (lumpectomy or breast-conserving surgery) or get all the breast tissues removed (simple mastectomy) as a preventive measure. 

Usually, after a breast-conserving surgery, radiation is given. Radiation therapy kills the cells in the margin of the operated area to prevent growth of abnormal cells there. 

If the DCIS is hormone-receptor positive, the doctor may suggest medicines that can arrest the growth of cancer cells.  

The bottom line

DCIS is cancer which is in a very early stage and has not spread to the adjoining breast tissues. 

A close watch and an early and effective treatment can cure DCIS. Thus, DCIS is a curable stage of breast cancer. It is, therefore, also called stage 0 breast cancer.