When is Lumpectomy and radiation therapy adequate treatment for DCIS?
• When there is only one area of abnormality in the breast either on exam or on mammogram • When the surgeon is able to remove the DCIS completely, and no DCIS is left behind in the breast. Sometimes, after the initial lumpectomy, the microscopic evaluation of the tumor removed shows that not all of the tumor was taken out. In that case, the surgeon may have to perform a re-excision of the lumpectomy site to make sure all the DCIS was removed. • When a mammogram of the involved breast shows no more suspicious findings after the lumpectomy • When the size of the DCIS tumor is small enough so that after its removal, there is enough breast tissue left behind to provide the patient with a cosmetically acceptable breast. Pros And Cons Of Lumpectomy And Radiation Therapy: Pros: • The patient keeps her breast. Overall, about 90 – 92% of women with DCIS who are appropriately selected to undergo this treatment, will never need to lose that breast.– The lumpectomy is a very simple surgery, whic
