New test helps determine suitable treatment for DCIS

BCNA welcomes a new test developed by GenesisCare that can help predict the risk of recurrence or progression of DCIS.

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)is the name for abnormal or unusual changes in the cells that line the milk ducts of the breast. More than 2,000 people are diagnosed with DCIS in Australia each year, most commonly through screening mammograms.

DCIS is a precancerous condition as the cells are contained within the milk ducts of the breast, but does have the potential to become invasive.

Currently, it is not reliably known which women with DCIS will develop invasive breast cancer, which is why surgery, radiotherapy and hormone-blocking therapy may be recommended for those diagnosed with DCIS.

GenesisCare’s new DCISionRT® test is a precision medicine test for women diagnosed with DCIS who have undergone breast conserving surgery. The test assesses the 10-year risk of DCIS returning or progressing to local invasive breast cancer and helps to predict whether radiotherapy is likely to be of benefit in addition to surgery.

New research from the Royal Melbourne Hospital presented at the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) 2021 International Conference on Surgical Cancer Care found that for some women, the test revealed a lower risk of recurrence or progression than originally thought, meaning that radiotherapy may be able to be safely avoided.

For other women diagnosed with DCIS, the test revealed a higher risk of recurrence or progression, indicating that radiotherapy may be of benefit in addition to surgery. In this way, the test may help inform the treatment decision making of women diagnosed with DCIS and their treating teams.

According to the study’s lead physician investigator, Professor Bruce Mann, Specialist Breast Surgeon and Director of Breast Cancer Services for Royal Melbourne and Royal Women’s Hospital and BCNA Board Member, "Historically, doctors have relied on clinical pathology, such as tumour grade and size, to determine treatment plans for patients with DCIS. However, results from our study support the role of DCISionRT in helping to identify those patients who could benefit from radiation therapy."

"DCISionRT provides predictive molecular information from each patient’s tissue sample that allows doctors to identify patients with elevated risk scores who could benefit from radiation therapy. This personalised information also helps doctors identify patients who may not be candidates for radiation therapy, thereby helping them avoid unnecessary treatment."

As Vicki Durston, BCNA’s Director of Policy, Advocacy and Member Support, said: "BCNA welcomes the innovative new test for people with DCIS. While the condition isn’t invasive breast cancer it’s treated in a similar way which can create significant confusion and worry."

"The DCISionRT test allows physicians to assess with confidence their patient’s 10-year risk of recurrence or progression to invasive breast cancer and whether radiotherapy would be likely to be beneficial."

"Often tests such as these are out of reach for many who cannot afford the out-of-pocket costs. We are delighted to support this new innovative test which will be available to patients in many public and private settings across Australia."

DCISionRT® is now available for individuals diagnosed with DCIS in Australia.

If you have been diagnosed with DCIS and are interested in whether the test may be of benefit to you, speak to your treating doctor.

More information about the test is available from GenesisCare.

For more information about DCIS visit My Journey - about DCIS.