Breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer among women globally, leading to approximately 6.7 lakh deaths in 2022 alone. It occurs when cells in the breast start to grow uncontrollably, forming a tumour. However, the progression of breast cancer is more complex than a single event; it typically develops in stages, which describe the extent of the disease's growth and spread.
These stages range from early, where the cancer is confined to the breast, to advanced, where it has spread to other parts of the body. In this article, we discuss stage zero (0) breast cancer, in which the cancer is limited to the inside of the milk duct and is non-invasive. Dr Garvit Chitkara, Senior Consultant - Breast Surgical Oncology, Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mumbai, helps us decode the same and shares why it may be beneficial to detect the cancer at this stage or earlier.
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What Is Stage 0 Breast Cancer?
“Stage 0 breast cancer, also known as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), is a non-invasive form of breast cancer,” says Dr Chitkara, adding that unlike other stages of breast cancer, where the cancer cells have spread beyond the ducts or lobules into surrounding breast tissue, stage 0 is confined to the ducts of the breast. This means the abnormal cells have not yet invaded nearby tissues or spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
While stage 0 breast cancer is not life-threatening, it is considered a precursor to invasive breast cancer. This is why early detection and treatment are integral to preventing the cancer from progressing to a more advanced stage.
Do You Need A Treatment For Stage 0 Breast Cancer?
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), the stage of breast cancer is an important factor in determining treatment options.
In general, the more breast cancer has spread, the more treatment you will likely need, the healthy body notes.
When it comes to stage 0 breast cancer, it generally requires treatment to prevent the condition from advancing to invasive breast cancer, highlights Dr Chitkara.
Treatment options for DCIS typically include surgery, such as a lumpectomy (removal of the abnormal cells and a margin of surrounding tissue) or a mastectomy (removal of one or both breasts). Additionally, radiation therapy is often recommended after a lumpectomy to reduce the risk of recurrence.
In some cases, hormone therapy may be prescribed if the cancer cells are hormone receptor-positive to lower the risk of recurrence by blocking hormones that can fuel the growth of cancer cells, the doctor adds.
Are There Any Potential Risks?
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Any disease is likely to become worse or potentially life-threatening if left untreated and unmanaged.
While stage 0 breast cancer is not immediately life-threatening, if left untreated, DCIS can progress to invasive breast cancer, where cancer cells spread beyond the ducts into surrounding breast tissue and potentially to other parts of the body, warns Dr Chitkara.
“The exact risk of progression varies, and not all cases of DCIS will become invasive, but because it’s difficult to predict which cases will progress, treatment is generally recommended. Additionally, overdiagnosis and overtreatment are potential risks, as some cases of DCIS may never progress to invasive cancer but are still treated aggressively,” he adds.
Also Read: Rare, But Men Can Also Develop Breast Cancer: Expert Shares Who Is At Risk And Warning Signs
How To Detect Stage 0 Breast Cancer Early
According to the doctor, stage 0 breast cancer is usually detected through routine breast cancer screening, particularly mammograms, as it rarely causes noticeable symptoms.
Mammograms can reveal microcalcifications, small deposits of calcium in the breast tissue that can be indicative of DCIS.
In some cases, a biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Since Stage 0 breast cancer does not typically present with a lump or other obvious signs, regular screening is crucial for early detection, the doctor concludes.