Treatment trends for ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast

As a result of clinical trial publications, breast conservation treatment has been increasingly used for invasive breast cancer. The patterns of care for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) were analyzed for the years 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, and 1991 to determine whether the same treatment principles had been applied to patients with non-invasive disease.

Data submitted on 20,556 patients with DCIS during the 5 study years were analyzed with regard to basic demographics and treatment trends.

Breast-conserving surgery for DCIS increased from 20.9% in 1985 to 35.4% in 1991. Modified radical mastectomy remained constant at 42%. Axillary node surgery increased from 52% in 1985 to 58.5% in 1991. The use of radiation therapy for patients with partial mastectomy and no lymph node dissection ranges from 24.2% in 1990 to 37.7% in 1985, with 31.1% receiving radiation therapy in 1991. Patients undergoing lymph node dissection with partial mastectomy were more than twice as likely to receive postoperative radiation therapy than were patients without lymph node dissection.

Modified radical mastectomy remains the most common surgical procedure, despite the eligibility of many women for breast conservation treatment. As of 1991 the majority of women were still undergoing axillary lymph node surgery despite a node positivity rate of approximately 1%. Radiation therapy is significantly underused in patients with partial mastectomy, especially when no nodes were removed. Clinical trial results and professional education for DCIS treatment should change these trends.