Carcinoma ductal in situ

The survival rates for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) are excellent. DCIS is a noninvasive breast cancer. The cancer cells are contained within the milk ducts and haven't grown into nearby breast tissue. Most people diagnosed with DCIS are successfully treated, and the risk of dying from breast cancer is very low.

Survival statistics

Cancer survival rates come from studying many people with the same cancer to see how many are living years after diagnosis. The survival rate can give you an idea of survival for people in your situation. But the numbers can't predict your chances of survival.

Studies of people with DCIS have found that the 10-year survival rate is greater than 98%.

These statistics are based on people who had DCIS by itself, without an invasive breast cancer. DCIS is classified as stage 0 breast cancer when it occurs by itself. When DCIS occurs along with invasive breast cancer, the survival rate may vary by the stage of the invasive cancer rather than the DCIS.

Prognosis

Cancer prognosis describes how likely it is that a cancer can be treated successfully or cured. It is based on the details of your cancer, as well as your overall health. If you want to understand your prognosis, talk with your healthcare team. Your team can explain the factors to consider and what they mean for you.

The prognosis for DCIS is generally excellent. For most people, the cancer never comes back after treatment. Your risk of recurrence may depend on the specifics of your cancer. Factors that may affect prognosis include:

• Age at diagnosis. People diagnosed with DCIS before age 40 generally have a higher risk of recurrence than those diagnosed later in life.
• Cancer grade. Low-grade DCIS has a lower risk of recurrence than high-grade DCIS.
• How the DCIS was found. DCIS found through routine screening mammograms tends to have a lower risk of recurrence. If a breast lump or other symptoms lead to the diagnosis, there may be a higher risk of recurrence.
• Necrosis within the cancer. DCIS sometimes has areas of dead cells, called necrosis, among the cancer cells. When the necrosis forms in the middle of the DCIS, it's called comedo necrosis. Comedo necrosis raises the risk of recurrence.
• The size of the cancer. DCIS that affects a larger area of the breast may have a higher risk of recurrence than DCIS that involves a smaller area.
• Surgical margins. During a typical breast cancer surgery, the surgeon removes the cancer along with a small amount of the tissue that surrounds it. This tissue is called the margin. If the margin is free of cancer, the risk of recurrence is lower.

Talk with your healthcare team about your risk of recurrence. Ask about treatments and other things you can do to lower the risk.

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