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Review ArticleMedical ProgressFree Preview

Ductal Carcinoma in Situ of the Breast

List of authors.
  • Harold J. Burstein, M.D., Ph.D.,
  • Kornelia Polyak, M.D., Ph.D.,
  • Julia S. Wong, M.D.,
  • Susan C. Lester, M.D., Ph.D.,
  • and Carolyn M. Kaelin, M.D.

Ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast (also called intraductal carcinoma), a clonal proliferation of malignant-appearing cells within the mammary duct lumens without evidence of invasion beyond the epithelial basement membrane, is the precursor lesion of invasive breast cancer. In the past 20 years, concomitant with the wide use of screening mammography, its detected incidence has risen dramatically. Data from large cohort studies and randomized trials have emerged to guide treatment. This review summarizes progress in the understanding, pathogenesis, and treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ.

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Funding and Disclosures

Supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute (R01 CA94074), the Specialized Program of Research Excellence in Breast Cancer at Dana–Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (CA89393), and the Department of Defense (Breast Cancer Center of Excellence Grant) and by Friends of Dana–Farber Cancer Institute.

We are indebted to Kelly Chisholm and Claudia Cassano for their assistance and to our colleagues in the Gillette Women's Cancers Program at the Dana–Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital for their valuable review of this article.

Author Affiliations

From the Division of Medical Oncology and the Departments of Medicine (H.J.B., K.P.), Radiation Oncology (J.S.W.), and Surgery (C.M.K.), Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School; and the Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School (S.C.L.) — all in Boston.

Address reprint requests to Dr. Burstein at the Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney St., Boston, MA 02115, or at .

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