Ductal
Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS):
In this condition, the cells lining the milk ducts
(the channels in the breast that carry milk to the nipple) are cancerous,
but stay contained within the ducts without growing through into
the surrounding breast tissue. DCIS may affect just one area of
the breast, but can be more widespread and affect different areas
at the same time. Sometimes, DCIS may be described as Pre-Cancerous,
Pre-Invasive, Non-Invasive, or intraductal cancer.
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Lobular carcinoma
In Situ (LCIS): |
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Important Definitions:
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LCIS has the potential
to become invasive carcinoma, and so is treated as an early form
of breast cancer. In lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS, the image
to the right), the lobular cells have developed the ability to multiply
out of control - one of the characteristics of cancer. The cancerous
cells have not yet spread beyond the lining of the lobule.
Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) is thought to be a 'pre-cancerous'
condition. This means is not true cancer, because the cells, while
abnormal, have not developed the ability to spread beyond the lobules
of the breast. Lobular carcinoma in situ is still an important finding,
however, because a woman with LCIS is at higher risk of developing
true invasive breast cancer than unaffected women. |
Lobules:
Spherical-shaped sacs in the breast that produce milk.
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Duct:
A pathway in the breast through which milk passes from the lobules
to the nipple.
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