How to Diagnose DCIS

Ductal carcinoma in situ or DCIS, affects the milk ducts in your breast tissue. Ductal carcinoma in situ is a non-invasive type of cancer, which means the cancer usually remains within the milk ducts. Though DCIS isn't life threatening, having the disease can place you at a higher risk of developing invasive breast cancer. Women who've had DCIS, have a 30 percent chance of recurrence, states BreastCancer.org. Contributing factors include a family history of breast cancer, or inheriting the mutated BRCA gene, notes the Mayo Clinic. The BRCA genes usually suppress the development of cancer, unless you have a mutated one.

Instructions

• 1

  A mammogram can detect potential problems.

  Get a mammography. When cancer cells die and accumulate within your breasts, calcifications form inside the cells. These calcifications appear as shadows and specks, which can alert your doctor.

• 2

  Undergo a biopsy to extract a sample of the suspicious tissue. Biopsy procedures include a core needle biopsy or a stereotactic biopsy.

• 3

  Sometimes surgery will be necessary.

  Submit to a surgical biopsy, if results come back inconclusive or a sample can't be extracted. A small piece of affected tissue can be removed, or your doctor may opt to remove the entire affected lump.

• 4

  Allow your doctor to examine and grade your tissue sample. This will help your doctor determine the stage of your DCIS. Ductal carcinoma in situ has three stages, with the third stage leading to the probability of developing DCIS again within five years of initial diagnosis.