DCIS

[wbslngr]

My wife has DCIS and she is scared.  We just found out today on Christmas Eve.  She is scared that it will spread but from what I have looked up it doesn't seem to spread.  She was wondering if a woman would be sore in her breasts from DCIS and how long it would take to spread to another part of the body.

Thanks

[DrBhumikaMD]

Hi,
DCIS is not painful. Early stages of DCIS are usually symptomless.
But in later stages, a lump may be felt or a nipple discharge may be a cause of alarm.
Most breast cancers, do not cause pain and are symptomless i'e without any symptoms in the early stages.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.

[wbslngr]

Thank you for the information but can you tell me if DCIS causes pain in the breasts?

[DrBhumikaMD]

Hi,
Sorry to hear about the news being got to you on christmas eve. DCIS or ductal carcinoma in situ is non invasive itself and that means it does not spread.
Having DCIS does put your wife at increased risk of developing breast cancer in the future and so she will need to be on regular breast self exams and periodic mammograms.
Is there a family history of breast cancer?
The usual management plan in a case of DCIS is lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy and hormone therapy only if the hormone receptor status comes out to be positive.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.