DCIS
Meaning of DCIS: DCIS is a noninvasive breast condition in which abnormal cells remain confined within a milk duct without spreading into surrounding tissue.
Definition of DCIS
DCIS, short for ductal carcinoma in situ, is a noninvasive condition in which abnormal cells are found within the lining of a milk duct in the breast but have not spread beyond the duct into surrounding breast tissue. Because the abnormal cells remain confined within the duct, DCIS does not have the ability to spread to other parts of the body the way an invasive cancer can.
DCIS is most often detected through mammography, appearing as a cluster of tiny calcium deposits called microcalcifications, since it typically produces no palpable lump or other noticeable symptom. It is generally classified by grade, reflecting how abnormal the cells appear under the microscope, which relates to how likely a given area of DCIS is to progress if left untreated.
Not every case of DCIS goes on to become invasive cancer, and it is not currently possible to predict with certainty which cases will progress and which will remain confined to the duct.
Also known as
Used in a sentence
Mammography identified microcalcifications that were confirmed as DCIS on subsequent biopsy.
Good to know
DCIS is confined within the duct and cannot spread elsewhere in the body, unlike invasive ductal carcinoma, though it is not yet possible to predict with certainty which cases of DCIS will eventually progress to invasive disease.