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Diagnosis of Ductal Carcinoma in Situ
Mammographic Evaluation of Ductal Carcinoma in Situ
To date, mammography is the most effective imaging modality for detecting ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and plays an important role in determining various details about the mass, including:
- Microcalcification is the most common feature of DCIS that is observed by mammography.
- Microcalcification is an area where tiny specks of calcium have formed in the ducts of the breast.
- It has been estimated that up to 90% of patients with DCIS have microcalcification that is evident by mammography.
- Mammography is also used to estimate the size of the DCIS which is an important factor in the surgical decision-making process. Unfortunately, mammography is not completely accurate for estimating the size of the DCIS and may underestimate the actual size of the lesion.
- In cases where DCIS is detected in one breast, the other breast is also examined by mammography since approximately 10 to 20% of women with DCIS have lesions in both breasts.
The role of other imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and breast ultrasonography in diagnosing and staging DCIS have not been established and, therefore, these imaging techniques are not routinely employed.
