Dr. Van Zee on Estimating Risk For Surgical Options in DCIS

Kimberly Van Zee, MD, surgical oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the various surgical options for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

Individualizing treatment for patients with breast cancer has become more important in recent years, says Van Zee. DCIS is somewhat paradoxical in its nature, as there is essentially no risk of metastatic disease or death. However, it also has a higher local recurrence rate in the breast than does invasive cancer.

When it comes to surgical treatment, the options are quite broad, explains Van Zee. They can range from wide excision alone, wide excision with radiation, or with endocrine therapy, to mastectomy or bilateral mastectomy. Overall, it is important to assess a patient's individual values to determine what treatment option is best for her.