Surgical management of ductal carcinoma in situ in Australia in 1995

Background: In the present paper we describe the presentation and management of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast in women in Australia in 1995. This representative, national data set provides a historical comparator for studies examining DCIS management that follow. Methods: Surgeons identified by population-based cancer registries as having treated a new diagnosis of DCIS between 1 April and 30 September 1995 completed a questionnaire on the presentation and management of each case. Results: Two hundred and five surgeons supplied treatment details on 418 DCIS tumours in 415 women. Half of all tumours were detected at BreastScreen clinics and a further 25% were detected at other mammography centres. Twenty-six percent of tumours were palpable at presentation, 33% were multifocal and 55% were high grade (including comedocarcinoma). Breast conserving therapy (BCT) rather than mastectomy was utilized in 260 (62%) of cases. Tumours that were of low grade, small in size and not multifocal were more likely to be treated by BCT. Surgeons seeing six or more DCIS cases in the 6-month period were more likely to utilize BCT. Of the conservatively treated cases, 22% were referred for a radiation oncology consultation. The most common reasons for treating DCIS with mastectomy were that the tumour was too extensive or multifocal (63%), it extended to margins of the specimen (42%), or patient concerns about recurrence (34%). Conclusions: In 1995 the majority of DCIS was treated with breast conserving surgery alone. Surgeons treating more DCIS cases were more likely to perform conservative surgery than surgeons treating only one DCIS case in the study period.