 |
Understanding
DCIS
- Causes of
DCIS
- Genetic
Testing
- Self
Advocacy
- Decisions
- Screening
- Getting a
Biopsy
- When DCIS
is Diagnosed
- Getting
a Second Opinion
- Psychological
Impact
- Understanding
Risk
- Treatment
| Recurrence Recurrence means either that DCIS has appeared again, or that an invasive cancer has been found in the treated breast. Recurrence of DCIS is never in itself life-threatening with careful follow-up and treatment. Even invasive cancers that are detected early are not life-threatening. Recurrence does mean that you have to deal with treatment again. The use of radiotherapy after lumpectomy significantly decreases the rate of recurrence. |
The risk for breast cancer recurrence after breast-conserving
treatment is approximately 8%. If recurrence occurs, the chance of the
cancer being invasive is approximately 50%. Mastectomy is associated with
a 1% risk for chest wall recurrence. Most patients with recurrent disease
can be treated effectively.
Prophylactic mastectomy
Women who are in a high-risk category due to a strong personal or family
history of breast or other cancers may choose prophylactic, or preventive
mastectomy. A prophylactic mastectomy removes one or both breasts —
even if they are not known to contain cancerous cells — to reduce
the risk of cancer. This option should be carefully discussed with your
doctor. If you choose prophylactic mastectomy, reconstructive surgery
can be done at the same time or at a later date. If you are considering
this surgical procedure, you may want to discuss your family's history
of cancer with a genetic counselor to get a better understanding of your
personal risk for developing the disease.
