Mammary ductal carcinoma in situ - a new problem in oncology?

The introduction of mass screening mammography has resulted in increase of number of breast cancers detected in their preinvasive phase. Most of the preinvasive mammary carcinomas are of intraductal type. These tumors usually grow slowly and not in all instances progress into invasive stage. Until recently the most common form of therapy, effective in almost 100% of cases, was breast amputation. At present, these patients are usually managed with breast conserving surgery followed by irradiation. (author)