What should you know about extensive DVT?

Ductal carcinoma in situ, also called DCIS or stage 0 breast cancer, consists of abnormal cells confined to the milk ducts. It has not grown through the duct wall, but it can matter because some DCIS may later become invasive if untreated. A mammogram may show tiny areas of calcification, and a breast biopsy is used to examine tissue and confirm the diagnosis. The report may describe the grade, size and whether the abnormal area is widespread; these details help shape the discussion.

Arrange a breast team consultation to review the pathology and imaging together. Treatment may involve lumpectomy or mastectomy, with radiotherapy considered after some breast-conserving operations. Hormone therapy for cancer may be discussed when the cells carry hormone receptors. The choice depends on the extent and features of the DCIS, your breast anatomy, general health and personal preferences. Take the pathology and imaging reports to appointments and ask which findings are certain and which still need clarification.

Contact your breast clinic promptly if a biopsy site becomes increasingly red, hot, swollen or painful, or if you develop fever or drainage. Seek urgent help for sudden chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, or a new one-sided weakness; those symptoms need immediate assessment and should not be attributed to DCIS without examination.

Ask: What grade and extent does my DCIS have? Were the margins fully removed? Do I need another operation, radiotherapy or hormone therapy? How will follow-up imaging be arranged?