Current Trends in the Management of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), once a rare entity, now comprises up to 30% of newly diagnosed breast cancers detected on mammography. It is now appreciated as a widely heterogeneous disease, with indolent lesions of minimal clinical significance on one end of the spectrum, and aggressive lesions with malignant invasive potential on the other. Therefore, the traditional guideline-concordant approach to treatment with surgery, radiation, and endocrine therapy may lead to overtreatment of certain patients, and insufficient treatment of others. Risk assessment using clinical and molecular prognostic tools is being investigated, addressing the possibility of delineating subpopulations that may be treated with more tailored therapy. This review will summarize the current trends in the diagnosis and management of DCIS and will highlight ongoing trials that are shaping future management of this entity.