Diagnosis of Microinvasive Breast Carcinoma
Microinvasive breast carcinoma is a subcategory of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) tumor, and it has a good prognosis. It is less likely to metastasize, and typically it responds well to treatment.
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What is DCIS?
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The language surrounding breast cancer can be confusing. A straight DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) tumor means it is confined exclusively to the milk duct tissue. It has not spread (invaded) outside.
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Microinvasive
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Microinvasive breast carcinoma is known by multiple abbreviations. Microinvasive breast carcinoma is known by multiple acronyms, including MIC, MICB, and DCISM. "Microinvasive" indicates the size (less than 1.0 mm) and the fact that 10 percent or less has left the duct tissue (the original tumor site).
Treatment
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Treatment is individual. Treatment is individual based on tumor typing and staging, and on collaboration between doctor and patient. However, Drs. Mattia Intra and Stefano Zurrida say sentinel lymph node biopsy should be considered standard (2002).
Outcome Influences
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Many factors influence outcome. Age at diagnosis, family history, size of tumor, spread, condition of lymph nodes, and other health issues influence the outcome. The treatment protocols chosen can influence the long-term prognosis.
Expert Insight
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Talk to your doctor about prognosis. "MIC as defined has a good prognosis. It has a different biology than T1 invasive carcinoma with 90 percent DCIS, which may progress and cause death. Large tumors with multiple foci of microinvasion may have metastatic potential." (Drs. Ruth Padmor & Barbara Fowble, et. al., 2000)
References
- Intra, Dr. M., Zurrida, Dr. S., et. al. (2002) Sentinel lymph node metastasis in microinvasive breast cancer. Annals of Surgical Oncology.
- Padmore PhD., Dr. R., Fowble, Dr. B, et. al. (2000) Microinvasive breast carcinoma--Clinicopathologic analysis of a single institution experience.
- SusanGKomen.org (2009) Factors that affect treatment options.
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Sue Moore Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of mdid Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Clever Cupcakes Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Jenny Mealing Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Thomas Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Linda Tanner
