[Current knowledge of ductal carcinoma in situ]

With respect to an increasing incidence of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast and thus growing importance of this disease we want to review the current data about the diagnostics and therapy of this leasion. We will also try to outline the future development of the management of this disease.

Review article describing the current knowledge of ductal carcinoma in situ.

Department of Gyneacology and Obstetrics, MEDINOS Clinic, Sonneberg, Germany.

Study of the current literature.

Evidence-based guidelines for therapy of this disease are still not available. Up-to-date management is based on the theory of linear progression, which means that DCIS is an obligate precursor of invasive breast carcinoma. Consequently, we treat this leasion vigorously in order to prevent future recurrences or invasive disease. Existing prognostic and predictive markers do not allow a sufficient classification of low-grade and high-grade patients. Further studies are necessary in order to distinguish women who need only an observation from those who require a full-scale therapy.