Is Mastectomy a Suitable Treatment in Ductal Carcinoma In Situ?

In the current practice of a breast unit it is becoming more and more frequent to deal with the diagnosis of a ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Ductal carcinoma in situ is a recognized risk factor for invasive breast carcinoma and a correct management could be considered as a reward for all the patients who apply regularly screening programs. The surgical management of DCIS can be a complex challenge even more than invasive carcinoma; available data is very controversial, and a standardization of practice is needed. Here we propose a practical flow chart used at the Oncologic European Institute in Milan to face this complex and controversial theme.