Updates on treating ductal carcinoma in situ: what's to know in 2021

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a noninvasive stage of disease but understood to be a nonobligate precursor to invasive breast cancer. As such, women with DCIS are routinely recommended for standard breast cancer treatment to prevent progression to invasive disease. DCIS, however, represents a heterogeneous group of lesions that differs in its biologic behavior and risk of progression. Thus, optimal treatment is unclear. This review presents the clinical trials evaluating the de-escalation of therapy, attempts at risk stratification, and future directions in the management of this disease.

The de-escalation of therapy for patients with DCIS is being actively explored. Although no group of patients based on clinicopathologic features has yet been identified as suitable for omission of therapy, molecular tests appear better able to stratify patients at low risk for whom omission of radiation may be considered. Trials considering omission of surgery are ongoing, and the use of Herceptin and vaccine therapy are also being explored.

The current review provides a centralized summary enabling the clinician to better understand the complexity of DCIS and the controversies over the optimal management of this disease. It highlights the need for better risk stratification to individualize patient care.

http://links.lww.com/COOG/A77.