Use of predictors of recurrence to plan therapy for DCIS of the breast

Despite the results of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-17, there continues to be debate regarding the most appropriate treatment for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast. Numerous clinical, pathologic, and laboratory factors can aid clinicians and patients wrestling with the difficult treatment decision-making process. Our research has shown that nuclear grade, the presence of comedo-type necrosis (coagulative necrosis), tumor size, and margin width are all important predictors of local recurrence in patients with DCIS. We used these factors to devise the Van Nuys Prognostic Index (VNPI), which assigns lesions a score from 1 to 3 for each of three factors: tumor size, margin width, and pathologic classification (determined by nuclear grade and necrosis). By scoring DCIS lesions according to this index, it may be possible to identify subgroups of patients who do not require irradiation, if breast conservation is elected, as well as patients whose recurrence rate is potentially so high, even with breast irradiation, that mastectomy is preferable.