Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentSurvival
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Survival
Some experts do not consider DCIS as actual “cancer” but instead classify it asprecancer. When diagnosed and treated at this early stage, the expected outcome (prognosis) is usually excellent.
This article describes what stage 0 breast cancer means, including how it is treated and what to expect in terms of survival and life expectancy.
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What Are the Symptoms of Stage 0 Breast Cancer?
Stage 0 breast cancer is a contained clump of abnormal cells that have not spread beyond the “basement membrane” surrounding a lobule or duct.
Stage 0 breast cancer usually has no symptoms and is typically discovered during a routine screeningmammogramorbreast MRI. If symptoms are present, they may involve a lump or an abnormal nipple discharge (such as blood).
What Causes Stage O Breast Cancer?
The causes of DCIS are still unknown. The risk factors for developing stage 0 breast cancer are similar to those for the most common form of breast cancer calledinvasive breast cancer.
Risk factors include:
Cancer or Precancer?There is some debate over whether DCIS is a precancer or noninvasive cancer. Generally, DCIS is considered non-invasive cancer.To some, however, “precancer” and “non-invasive cancer” are synonymous insofar as both have not yet become invasive.
Cancer or Precancer?
There is some debate over whether DCIS is a precancer or noninvasive cancer. Generally, DCIS is considered non-invasive cancer.To some, however, “precancer” and “non-invasive cancer” are synonymous insofar as both have not yet become invasive.
There is some debate over whether DCIS is a precancer or noninvasive cancer. Generally, DCIS is considered non-invasive cancer.
To some, however, “precancer” and “non-invasive cancer” are synonymous insofar as both have not yet become invasive.
How Is Stage 0 Breast Cancer Detected?
A mammogram can often detect stage 0 breast cancer during a route check-up. If the mammogram looks abnormal, a needlebiopsywould be performed to extract cells to examine under a microscope. A medical specialist called apathologistcan determine if the cells are consistent with DCIS.
The determination of stage 0 breast cancer is based on a classification system called theTNM Staging System.
The TNM Staging System classifies cancers based on the extent of the tumor (T), the involvement of lymph nodes (N), and the presence of metastasis (M). Numbers or letters after T, N, and M provide additional details.
Using the TNM system, stage 0 breast would be classified as:
TNM Staging in Breast Cancer
Does Stage 0 Breast Cancer Require Treatment?
Not all stage 0 breast cancers require treatment. Sometimes a watch-and-wait approach (referred to as active surveillance) is recommended to see if the cancer remains stable or progresses.
At other times, cancer treatments such as surgery, radiation, or hormone therapy may be recommended. The decision to treat or not treat is a highly personal one that requires an in-depth discussion between you and your healthcare provider.
Numerous factors need to be considered, including:
Treatment options may include:
Breast Cancer Healthcare Provider Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
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How Long Is Life Expectancy With Stage 0 Breast Cancer?
The outlook for people with stage 0 breast cancer is excellent. When detected and treated at this stage, the five-year relative survival rate is 99.3%, according to the National Cancer Institute. What this means is that 99 out of 100 people diagnosed at stage 0 will live forat leastfive years.
Other studies suggest that 97% of people diagnosed with DCIS will survive for at least 20 years. Black females and females diagnosed with DCIS when they were under 35 are more likely to die.
After treatment for stage 0 breast cancer, there’s a small risk of recurrence or progression to invasive breast cancer. There is also a risk of new breast cancer unrelated to the first cancer (although the risk is no different than for those who have never had breast cancer).
Your healthcare provider may recommend more mammograms or breast MRIs so that any future cancers can be caught and treated early.
Summary
Stage 0 breast cancer is the earliest stage of breast cancer. Being diagnosed at this early stage sets you up for an excellent outcome. After a diagnosis of stage 0 breast cancer, different factors will be considered to determine if you need treatment or if a watch-and-wait approach is more appropriate.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Barrio AV, Van Zee KJ.Controversies in the treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ.Annu Rev Med. 2017;68:197-211. doi:10.1146/annurev-med-050715-104920Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What are the risk factors for breast cancer?.American Cancer Society.Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS).American Cancer Society.Your breast pathology report: ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).National Cancer Institute.Breast cancer treatment (PDQ)–health professional version.National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: female breast cancer.Narod SA, Iqbal J, Giannakeas V, Sopik V.Breast cancer mortality after a diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ.JAMA Oncol.2015;1(7):888-896. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2015.2510McCormick B, Winter K, Hudis C, et al.RTOG 9804: a prospective randomized trial for good-risk ductal carcinoma in situ comparing radiotherapy with observation.J Clin Oncol. 2015;33(7):709-715. doi:10.1200/JCO.2014.57.9029Additional ReadingRosso KJ, Weiss A, Thompson AM.Are there alternative strategies for the local management of ductal carcinoma in situ?.Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2018;27(1):69-80. doi:10.1016/j.soc.2017.08.002Toss M, Miligy I, Thompson AM, et al.Current trials to reduce surgical intervention in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast: critical review.Breast. 2017;35:151-156. doi:10.1016/j.breast.2017.07.012
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Barrio AV, Van Zee KJ.Controversies in the treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ.Annu Rev Med. 2017;68:197-211. doi:10.1146/annurev-med-050715-104920Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What are the risk factors for breast cancer?.American Cancer Society.Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS).American Cancer Society.Your breast pathology report: ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).National Cancer Institute.Breast cancer treatment (PDQ)–health professional version.National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: female breast cancer.Narod SA, Iqbal J, Giannakeas V, Sopik V.Breast cancer mortality after a diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ.JAMA Oncol.2015;1(7):888-896. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2015.2510McCormick B, Winter K, Hudis C, et al.RTOG 9804: a prospective randomized trial for good-risk ductal carcinoma in situ comparing radiotherapy with observation.J Clin Oncol. 2015;33(7):709-715. doi:10.1200/JCO.2014.57.9029Additional ReadingRosso KJ, Weiss A, Thompson AM.Are there alternative strategies for the local management of ductal carcinoma in situ?.Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2018;27(1):69-80. doi:10.1016/j.soc.2017.08.002Toss M, Miligy I, Thompson AM, et al.Current trials to reduce surgical intervention in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast: critical review.Breast. 2017;35:151-156. doi:10.1016/j.breast.2017.07.012
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Barrio AV, Van Zee KJ.Controversies in the treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ.Annu Rev Med. 2017;68:197-211. doi:10.1146/annurev-med-050715-104920Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What are the risk factors for breast cancer?.American Cancer Society.Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS).American Cancer Society.Your breast pathology report: ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).National Cancer Institute.Breast cancer treatment (PDQ)–health professional version.National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: female breast cancer.Narod SA, Iqbal J, Giannakeas V, Sopik V.Breast cancer mortality after a diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ.JAMA Oncol.2015;1(7):888-896. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2015.2510McCormick B, Winter K, Hudis C, et al.RTOG 9804: a prospective randomized trial for good-risk ductal carcinoma in situ comparing radiotherapy with observation.J Clin Oncol. 2015;33(7):709-715. doi:10.1200/JCO.2014.57.9029
Barrio AV, Van Zee KJ.Controversies in the treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ.Annu Rev Med. 2017;68:197-211. doi:10.1146/annurev-med-050715-104920
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What are the risk factors for breast cancer?.
American Cancer Society.Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS).
American Cancer Society.Your breast pathology report: ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).
National Cancer Institute.Breast cancer treatment (PDQ)–health professional version.
National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: female breast cancer.
Narod SA, Iqbal J, Giannakeas V, Sopik V.Breast cancer mortality after a diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ.JAMA Oncol.2015;1(7):888-896. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2015.2510
McCormick B, Winter K, Hudis C, et al.RTOG 9804: a prospective randomized trial for good-risk ductal carcinoma in situ comparing radiotherapy with observation.J Clin Oncol. 2015;33(7):709-715. doi:10.1200/JCO.2014.57.9029
Rosso KJ, Weiss A, Thompson AM.Are there alternative strategies for the local management of ductal carcinoma in situ?.Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2018;27(1):69-80. doi:10.1016/j.soc.2017.08.002Toss M, Miligy I, Thompson AM, et al.Current trials to reduce surgical intervention in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast: critical review.Breast. 2017;35:151-156. doi:10.1016/j.breast.2017.07.012
Rosso KJ, Weiss A, Thompson AM.Are there alternative strategies for the local management of ductal carcinoma in situ?.Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2018;27(1):69-80. doi:10.1016/j.soc.2017.08.002
Toss M, Miligy I, Thompson AM, et al.Current trials to reduce surgical intervention in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast: critical review.Breast. 2017;35:151-156. doi:10.1016/j.breast.2017.07.012
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