Quality-of-life issues in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ.
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) as we know it today is a clinical entity that is primarily discovered through the finding of microscopic calcifications on a screening mammogram. Asymptomatic women who are found to have DCIS receive treatments that are similar to women with invasive breast cancer and experience substantial psychological distress in spite of having an excellent prognosis and normal life expectancy. More research is needed to determine the best way to communicate with women about this condition and to match the extent of treatment with the risk of serious future disease. Clinical and research efforts should focus on reducing the anxiety and psychological distress associated with the diagnosis of DCIS.
Division of Cancer Prevention and Control Research, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, 650 Charles Young Dr South, Rm A2-125 CHS, Los Angeles, CA 90095-6900, USA. pganz@ucla.edu
Patricia A
PA
Ganz
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D017281:Cost of Illness; D018450:Disease Progression; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012306:Risk; D012649:Self Concept; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control