Women with DCIS may want to know about available treatments. Talk to your doctors to learn about the risks and benefits.
A lumpectomy surgery removes the DCIS tissue from your breast. It is also called breast conserving surgery, or partial mastectomy. Most women can go back to regular activities 1-2 weeks after surgery.
Some side effects may be:
Radiation therapy starts 2-6 weeks after lumpectomy surgery. High-energy radiation kills cancer cells. You go to the clinic every weekday. You receive radiation therapy for 3-6 weeks. Each treatment lasts for 10-20 minutes.
Some side effects of radiation therapy may be:
Sometimes, long-term side effects of radiation therapy may include:
If your DCIS is estrogen receptor positive (ER+) you may take a pill that blocks hormones (endocrine-blocking). You must take the pill every day. You take the pill for 5-10 years.
Some side effects of endocrine-blocking therapy may include:
Endocrine-blocking therapy is not an option for ER-negative DCIS.
The combination of all the treatments already listed.
A mastectomy is a surgery to remove the entire breast. If you choose this option, your doctor may also suggest reconstruction surgery. Most women can go back to regular activities 2-3 weeks after surgery.
Reconstruction surgeries build evenness between the two breasts by replacing:
Breast reconstruction can:
Side effects of mastectomy and reconstruction can include:
These may also impact your daily life:
A bilateral mastectomy removes both entire breasts. If you choose this option, your doctor may also suggest reconstruction surgery.
Reconstruction surgeries build evenness between the two breasts by replacing:
Breast reconstruction can involve:
Side effects of mastectomy and reconstruction can include:
These may also impact your daily life:
There is no upfront surgery with active surveillance.
You will have regular follow-up screenings to watch for any changes.
If there are any changes, your care team will look at other therapies. Surgery may be an option.
Active surveillance is not offered as standard of care now. But you may be considered for active surveillance as part of a clinical trial that is going on now. Researchers will gather information and compare the outcomes of active surveillance and surgery.
Are you interested in joining this trial? Your age and your DCIS determine if you are eligible. Find out if you can join.