Expertly Diagnosing Noninvasive Breast Cancer at Dignity Health

Noninvasive breast cancer remains where it first developed; either in the milk ducts for ductal carcinoma or breast lobules for lobular carcinoma. This is stage 0 breast cancer, the earliest form of breast cancer. Cancer cells are growing, but have not spread anywhere else in the breast. Another name for these tumors is in situ, meaning the cells remain in place.

Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) is actually a precancerous warning sign. It’s a very uncommon condition. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) accounts for about one in five new breast cancer cases. 

Mammogram screening usually finds noninvasive ductal carcinoma. Signs and symptoms are rare for DCIS. Very few women notice a lump or nipple discharge. There are no symptoms of LCIS and it does not usually show up on a mammogram, in most cases, doctors find LCIS during a biopsy for another breast condition.

A diagnosis is the first step towards health and recovery. The doctors and nurse navigators at Dignity Health Cancer Institute of Greater Sacramento are here to offer their expertise for your advanced treatment and recovery options for noninvasive breast cancer in the Sacramento region. Find a Doctor today to discuss your diagnosis and personalized treatment options. 

Most cases of DCIS show up on a mammogram as clusters of tiny spots, called microcalcifications. Your doctor will likely recommend a biopsy to examine the cells in these clusters. The biopsy will tell your doctor about the type, grade and hormone receptor status. This information guides your treatment plan, including the need for more surgery.

Treating Noninvasive Breast Cancer in the Sacramento Region

The oncologists and staff at Dignity Health Cancer Institute of Greater Sacramento meet weekly to thoroughly discuss treatment for each patient, ensuring that you will receive the most quality care. Our treatment for DCIS usually involves surgery since the cancer remains in the milk duct. Treatment options include a mastectomy, which removes the entire breast (may be necessary for multiple areas of DCIS), or a lumpectomy, which removes the tumor and some normal tissue surrounding it. Radiation therapy is usually necessary afterwards.

If the tumor is hormone receptor positive, your doctor may recommend hormone therapy after surgery. The hormones estrogen and progesterone stimulate these tumors to grow. Hormone therapy either blocks the hormone receptors or lowers the amount of hormones your body makes.

LCIS does not require standard treatment. However, it does put you at high risk of developing breast cancer. Your doctor may recommend careful observation, hormone therapy to prevent breast cancer or prophylactic mastectomy to reduce your risk.