Noncalcified Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS): Rate and Predictors of Upgrade to Invasive Carcinoma

Selective omission of sentinel lymph node biopsy in mastectomy for ductal carcinoma in situ: identifying eligible candidates

BACKGROUND

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is recommended for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) undergoing mastectomy, given the concerns regarding upstaging and technical difficulties of post-mastectomy SLNB. However, this may lead to potential overtreatment, considering favorable prognosis and de-escalation trends in DCIS. Data regarding upstaging and axillary lymph node metastasis among these patients remain limited.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients with DCIS who underwent mastectomy with SLNB or axillary lymph node dissection at Gangnam Severance Hospital between January 2010 and December 2021. To explore the feasibility of omitting SLNB, we assessed the rates of DCIS upgraded to invasive carcinoma and axillary lymph node metastasis. Binary Cox regression analysis was performed to identify clinicopathologic factors associated with upstaging and axillary lymph node metastasis.

RESULTS

Among 385 patients, 164 (42.6%) experienced an invasive carcinoma upgrade: microinvasion, pT1, and pT2 were confirmed in 53 (13.8%), 97 (25.2%), and 14 (3.6%) patients, respectively. Seventeen (4.4%) patients had axillary lymph node metastasis. Multivariable analysis identified age ≤ 50 years (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 12.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-137.51; p = 0.036) and suspicious axillary lymph nodes on radiologic evaluation (adjusted OR, 9.31; 95% CI, 2.06-41.99; p = 0.004) as independent factors associated with axillary lymph node metastasis. Among patients aged > 50 years and/or no suspicious axillary lymph nodes, only 1.7-2.3%) experienced axillary lymph node metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Although underestimation of the invasive component was relatively high among patients with DCIS undergoing mastectomy, axillary lymph node metastasis was rare. Our findings suggest that omitting SLNB may be feasible for patients over 50 and/or without suspicious axillary lymph nodes on radiologic evaluation.

Prediction of Surgical Upstaging Risk of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Using Machine Learning Models

Objective

The purpose of this study was to build machine learning models to predict surgical upstaging risk of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to invasive cancer and to compare model performance to eligibility criteria used by the Comparison of Operative versus Monitoring and Endocrine Therapy (COMET) active surveillance trial.

Methods

Medical records were retrospectively reviewed of all women with DCIS at core-needle biopsy who underwent surgery from 2007 to 2016 at an academic medical center. Multivariable regression and machine learning models were developed to evaluate upstaging-related features and their performance was compared with that achieved using the COMET trial eligibility criteria.

Results

Of 1387 women (mean age, 57 years; range, 27-89 years), the upstaging rate of DCIS was 17% (235/1387). On multivariable analysis, upstaging-associated features were presentation of DCIS as a palpable area of concern, imaging finding of a mass, and nuclear grades 2 or 3 at biopsy (P < 0.05). If COMET trial eligibility criteria were applied to our study cohort, then 496 women (42%, 496/1175) would have been eligible for the trial, with an upstaging rate of 12% (61/496). Of the machine learning models, none had a significantly lower upstaging rate than 12%. However, if using the models to determine eligibility, then a significantly larger proportion of women (56%-87%) would have been eligible for active surveillance.

Conclusion

Use of machine learning models to determine eligibility for the COMET trial identified a larger proportion of women eligible for surveillance compared with current eligibility criteria while maintaining similar upstaging rates.

Ipsilateral tumor recurrence risk in women with ductal carcinoma in situ: application of the Van Nuys Prognostic Index and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center nomogram

PURPOSE

To apply the Van Nuys Prognostic Index (VNPI) and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) nomogram to DCIS patients with known long-term outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of consecutive patients diagnosed with DCIS from 2007 to 2014. Included patients underwent breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and were followed with imaging for at least five years. For each patient, the VNPI and MSKCC nomogram risk estimates were determined. In addition, variables used in both models were compared between women with and without recurrences using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the Pearson's chi-squared test.

RESULTS

Over the eight-year period, 456 women (average age 57 years, range 30-87) underwent BCS for DCIS. Thirty-one (6.8%) experienced an ipsilateral recurrence. The average VNPI scores were 7 (range 5-9) and 7 (range 4-10) for women with and without a recurrence (p = 0.14), respectively, with 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12 being the low, moderate, and high-risk groups, respectively. Per the MSKCC nomogram, the average five-year recurrence risks were 5% (range 1-12%) and 4% (range 1-38%) for women with and without a recurrence (p = 0.09), respectively. The recurrence risk-related variables were younger patient age, need for one or more re-excision surgeries, and use of endocrine therapy for 0 to less than five years after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Ipsilateral tumor recurrence risk estimates based on the VNPI and MSKCC nomogram are similar between women with DCIS who did and did not have a recurrence, suggesting that more robust prognostic models are needed.

Prediction of coexisting invasive carcinoma on ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) lesions by mass spectrometry imaging

Due to limited biopsy samples, ~20% of DCIS lesions confirmed by biopsy are upgraded to invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) upon surgical resection. Avoiding underestimation of IDC when diagnosing DCIS has become an urgent challenge in an era discouraging overtreatment of DCIS. In this study, the metabolic profiles of 284 fresh frozen breast samples, including tumor tissues and adjacent benign tissues (ABTs) and distant surrounding tissues (DSTs), were analyzed using desorption electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) imaging. Metabolomics analysis using DESI-MS data revealed significant differences in metabolite levels, including small-molecule antioxidants, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and phospholipids between pure DCIS and IDC. However, the metabolic profile in DCIS with invasive carcinoma components clearly shifts to be closer to adjacent IDC components. For instance, DCIS with invasive carcinoma components showed lower levels of antioxidants and higher levels of free fatty acids compared to pure DCIS. Furthermore, the accumulation of long-chain PUFAs and the phosphatidylinositols (PIs) containing PUFA residues may also be associated with the progression of DCIS. These distinctive metabolic characteristics may offer valuable indications for investigating the malignant potential of DCIS. By combining DESI-MS data with machine learning (ML) methods, various breast lesions were discriminated. Importantly, the pure DCIS components were successfully distinguished from the DCIS components in samples with invasion in postoperative specimens by a Lasso prediction model, achieving an AUC value of 0.851. In addition, pixel-level prediction based on DESI-MS data enabled automatic visualization of tissue properties across whole tissue sections. Summarily, DESI-MS imaging on histopathological sections can provide abundant metabolic information about breast lesions. By analyzing the spatial metabolic characteristics in tissue sections, this technology has the potential to facilitate accurate diagnosis and individualized treatment of DCIS by inferring the presence of IDC components surrounding DCIS lesions. © 2023 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

The imaging appearances of non-calcified ductal carcinoma in situ: A pictorial essay

Non-calcified ductal carcinoma in situ (NCDCIS) presents as a heterogeneous entity on various imaging modalities, most frequently presenting symptomatically as a palpable lump. The combination of multiple modalities and knowledge of its potential radiological appearances are important in minimising misdiagnosis. Compared to conventional 2D mammography, both sonography and digital breast tomosynthesis show higher diagnostic accuracy in the detection of NCDCIS. Newer modalities of contrast-enhanced digital mammography and MRI have limited data at present, but early results indicate greater sensitivity for the detection of lesions that may be occult on ultrasound or mammography. Here, we present an illustrative study highlighting the varied appearances of NCDCIS on several imaging modalities including a brief review of the literature.

Active Surveillance for Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia and Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

Atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) are relatively common breast lesions on the same spectrum of disease. Atypical ductal hyperblasia is a nonmalignant, high-risk lesion, and DCIS is a noninvasive malignancy. While a benefit of screening mammography is early cancer detection, it also leads to increased biopsy diagnosis of noninvasive lesions. Previously, treatment guidelines for both entities included surgical excision because of the risk of upgrade to invasive cancer after surgery and risk of progression to invasive cancer for DCIS. However, this universal management approach is not optimal for all patients because most lesions are not upgraded after surgery. Furthermore, some DCIS lesions do not progress to clinically significant invasive cancer. Overtreatment of high-risk lesions and DCIS is considered a burden on patients and clinicians and is a strain on the health care system. Extensive research has identified many potential histologic, clinical, and imaging factors that may predict ADH and DCIS upgrade and thereby help clinicians select which patients should undergo surgery and which may be appropriate for active surveillance (AS) with imaging. Additionally, multiple clinical trials are currently underway to evaluate whether AS for DCIS is feasible for a select group of patients. Recent advances in MRI, artificial intelligence, and molecular markers may also have an important role to play in stratifying patients and delineating best management guidelines. This review article discusses the available evidence regarding the feasibility and limitations of AS for ADH and DCIS, as well as recent advances in patient risk stratification.

Does pre-operative breast MRI have an impact on surgical outcomes in high-grade DCIS?

OBJECTIVES

High-grade DCIS (HG DCIS) is associated with upgrade to invasive disease but few studies evaluate the role of MRI in this subset of DCIS. This study compared surgical outcomes of females with HG DCIS on biopsy who had pre-operative MRI with those that proceeded directly to surgery.

METHODS

This single-centre retrospective, observational study identified patients with pure HG DCIS on pre-operative biopsy from the pathology database. Surgical outcomes, clinicopathological and radiological features were obtained for all patients.

RESULTS

From August 2015 to February 2020, 217 patients had HG DCIS on biopsy. Pre-operative MRI was performed in 40 (MRI group) and not in 88 (No MRI group) patients. Initial mastectomy was performed in 25/40 (63%) women in the MRI group and 20/88 (23%) women in the no MRI group (p < 0.0001). No difference was observed in re-operation rate between the two groups, 15% in MRI group vs 22% in No MRI group (p = 0.4749). Mean tumour size on histology was larger in mastectomy cases in the MRI group (73.4 mm, range 6-140 mm), than the total MRI group, (58.3 mm, range 0-140 mm) or no MRI group (30.7 mm, range 0-130 mm) (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-operative MRI in HG DCIS is associated with higher mastectomy rates, possibly due to patient selection for MRI, as tumours on final histology were significantly larger. Fewer re-operations were observed in the MRI group although this was not significant.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

Breast MRI performed pre-operatively in HG DCIS is associated with higher mastectomy rates and fewer re-operation rates.

Clinicopathological Features of 166 Cases of Invasive Ductal Breast Carcinoma and Effect of Primary Tumor Location on Prognosis after Modified Radical Mastectomy

Objective

To investigate the clinicopathological features of 166 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast and to analyze the effect of the location of the primary tumor on the prognosis of modified radical mastectomy.

Materials and Methods

The clinical data of 166 patients with IDC who underwent modified radical mastectomy in our hospital from May 2015 to May 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinicopathological features of IDC patients were recorded. Univariate analysis and the multivariate logistic regression model were used to analyze the relationship between the location of the primary tumor and the prognosis of IDC patients after modified radical surgery. The effect of primary tumor location on the prognosis of modified radical resection was used with Survival curve analysis.

Results

Among the patients in the central region, 13.33% had tumors >5 cm in diameter, which was higher than those in the other four groups. Among the patients in the upper inner quadrant, 59.38% received hormone therapy after operation, which was higher than those in the other four groups (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in age, menopause, histological grading, molecular typing, lymph node metastasis, vascular invasion, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy among different groups (P > 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that molecular typing, lymph node metastasis, vascular invasion, and location of the primary tumor were all related to the prognosis of IDC patients after modified radical surgery, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that molecular typing, lymph node metastasis, vascular invasion, and primary tumor location were all independent influencing factors for prognosis of IDC patients after modified radical surgery (P < 0.05). As of 31 May 2021, there were 11 patients with recurrence and metastasis and 20 patients with death. The median survival time in the outer upper quadrant group was 80 months, which was higher than that in the outer lower quadrant group by 72 months, the median survival time in the central region group by 71 months, the median survival time in the inner upper quadrant group by 67 months, and the median survival time in the inner lower quadrant group by 61 months. The log-rank test showed all P < 0.001.

Conclusion

Patients with primary tumors located in the central area have larger tumor diameters. Patients located in the central area, upper inner quadrant, and lower inner quadrant are more likely to have lymphatic metastasis, have a more serious condition, and have a shorter prognosis survival time. Unluminal type, multiple lymph node metastases, vascular invasion, and the location of the primary tumor in the inner quadrant are all independent risk factors for prognosis in patients after modified radical surgery for IDC.

Is conservative management of ductal carcinoma in situ risky?

Nonsurgical management of ductal carcinoma in situ is controversial and little is known about the long-term consequences of this approach. In this study, we aimed to determine the risk of (a) upstaging to invasive carcinoma at excision and (b) ipsilateral breast cancer events in patients who might have been eligible for nonsurgical management of DCIS trials. Data from women aged 20 years or older with a biopsy diagnosis of DCIS between January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014 were collated. The women underwent biopsy and surgical resection (lumpectomy or mastectomy) and were treated with radiation or endocrine therapy as per treating physicians’ choice. The development of ipsilateral breast cancer events (IBEs) was analyzed in patients with at least 5 years of follow-up after standard of care therapy for DCIS. Subset-analysis was undertaken to identify the incidence of IBEs in patients eligible for nonsurgical management trials. The study population consisted of 378 patients with matched cases of biopsy and surgical excision. The overall upstaging rate to IBC was 14.3 and 12.9% for COMET, 8.8% for LORIS, and 10.7% for LORD trial “eligible” patients. At 5 years of follow-up, ~11.5% of overall and trial eligible patients developed IBEs of which approximately half were invasive IBEs. In conclusion, women with DCIS who would have been eligible for nonsurgical management trials have a significantly high risk of developing ipsilateral breast events within 5 years of diagnosis. Better selection criteria are needed to identify DCIS patients who are at very low risk for the development of IBC.

Imaging and pathologic features of non-calcified ductal carcinoma in situ: can sonography predict upgrade?

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the imaging and pathologic features and upgrade rate of non-calcified ductal carcinoma in situ (NCDCIS). The study tested the hypothesis that lesions with sonographic findings have higher upgrade rate compared to lesions seen on mammography or MRI only.

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) diagnosed by image-guided core breast biopsy from December 2009 to April 2018. Patients with microcalcifications on mammography or concurrent ipsilateral cancer on core biopsy were excluded. An upgrade was defined as surgical pathology showing microinvasive or invasive cancer.

RESULTS

A total of 71 lesions constituted the study cohort. 62% of cases (44/71) had a mammographic finding, and 38% (27/71) of mammographically occult lesions had findings on either ultrasound, MRI, or both. Of the 67 cases that underwent sonography, a mass was noted in 56/67 (83.6%) cases and no sonographic correlate was identified in 11/67 (16.4%) cases. 21% (15/71) of lesions were upgraded on final surgical pathology. The upgrade rate of patients with sonographic correlate was 27% (15/56) vs with mammographic findings only was 0% (0/11).

CONCLUSION

DCIS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of architectural distortion, asymmetries, focal asymmetries, and masses, even in the absence of microcalcifications. NCDCIS diagnosed by ultrasound may be an independent risk factor for upgrade.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

Radiologists must be aware of imaging features of DCIS and consider increased upgrade rate when NCDCIS is diagnosed by ultrasound.

OUP accepted manuscript

Background

Axillary lymph node status remains the most powerful prognostic indicator in invasive breast cancer. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a non-invasive disease and does not spread to axillary lymph nodes. The presence of an invasive component to DCIS mandates nodal evaluation through sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). Quantification of the necessity of upfront SLNB for DCIS requires investigation. The aim was to establish the likelihood of having a positive SLNB (SLNB+) for DCIS and to establish parameters predictive of SLNB+.

Methods

A systematic review was performed as per the PRISMA guidelines. Prospective studies only were included. Characteristics predictive of SLNB+ were expressed as dichotomous variables and pooled as odds ratios (o.r.) and associated 95 per cent confidence intervals (c.i.) using the Mantel–Haenszel method.

Results

Overall, 16 studies including 4388 patients were included (mean patient age 54.8 (range 24 to 92) years). Of these, 72.5 per cent of patients underwent SLNB (3156 of 4356 patients) and 4.9 per cent had SLNB+ (153 of 3153 patients). The likelihood of having SLNB+ for DCIS was less than 1 per cent (o.r. <0.01, 95 per cent c.i. 0.00 to 0.01; P < 0.001, I² = 93 per cent). Palpable DCIS (o.r. 2.01, 95 per cent c.i. 0.64 to 6.24; P = 0.230, I² = 0 per cent), tumour necrosis (o.r. 3.84, 95 per cent c.i. 0.85 to 17.44; P = 0.080, I² = 83 per cent), and grade 3 DCIS (o.r. 1.34, 95 per cent c.i. 0.80 to 2.23; P = 0.270, I² = 0 per cent) all trended towards significance in predicting SLNB+.

Conclusion

While aggressive clinicopathological parameters may guide SLNB for patients with DCIS, the absolute and relative risk of SLNB+ for DCIS is less than 5 per cent and 1 per cent, respectively. Well-designed randomized controlled trials are required to establish fully the necessity of SLNB for patients diagnosed with DCIS.

Registration number

CRD42021284194 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/)

Contralateral breast cancer after curative-intent treatment for ductal carcinoma in situ: Rate and associated clinicopathological and imaging risk factors

PURPOSE

Patients who have ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) are undergoing bilateral mastectomy at increasing rates. One of the reasons is to minimize contralateral breast cancer (CBC) risk. The purpose of this study is to determine the rate of and risk factors associated with CBC in women treated for DCIS.

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed of women with DCIS at surgery from 2007 to 2014 who had at least five-year follow-up. Patient attributes, imaging findings, histopathology results, and surgical and long-term outcomes were collected. Features associated with a CBC were assessed with multivariable logistic regression models.

RESULTS

613 women (mean 56 years, range 30-87) with DCIS underwent breast-conserving surgery (BCS) (n = 426), unilateral mastectomy (n = 101), or bilateral mastectomy (n = 86), with mean follow-up of 7.9 years. Of the 527 women who had BCS or unilateral mastectomy, 7.4% (n = 39) developed a CBC (DCIS in 12 and invasive cancer in 27). 4.1% (5/122) of women treated with adjuvant endocrine therapy developed a CBC, compared to 8.4% (34/405) who were not treated (p = .11). Features associated with CBC risk were younger age at menarche (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] of 0.76, p = .03) and low nuclear grade of DCIS (aOR of 5.43 for grade 1 versus 3, p = .01).

CONCLUSION

In women treated for DCIS, the overall rate of CBC was low at 7.4%. Younger age at menarche and low nuclear grade of DCIS had significant associations with higher CBC risk.

Revisit the practice of lymph node biopsy in patients diagnosed as ductal carcinoma in situ before operation: a retrospective analysis of 682 cases and evaluation of the role of breast MRI

Background

The optimal axillary lymph node (ALN) management strategy in patients diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) preoperatively remains controversial. The value of breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to predict ALN metastasis pre-operative DCIS patients was evaluated.

Methods

Patients with primary DCIS with or without pre-operative breast MRI evaluation and underwent breast surgery were recruited from single institution. The value of breast MRI for ALN evaluation, predictors of breast and ALN surgeries, upgrade from DCIS to invasive cancer, and ALN metastasis were analyzed.

Results

A total of 682 cases with pre-operative diagnosis of DCIS were enrolled in current study. The rate of upgrade to invasive cancer were found in 34.2% of specimen, and this upgrade rate is 23% for patients who received breast conserving surgery and 40.7% for mastectomy (p < 0.01). Large pre-operative imaging tumor size and post-operative invasive component were risk factors to ALN metastasis. Breast MRI had 53.8% sensitivity, 77.8% specificity, 14.9% positive predictive value, 95.9% negative predictive value (NPV), and 76.2% accuracy to predict ALN metastasis in pre-OP DCIS patients. In MRI node-negative breast cancer patients with MRI tumor size < 3 cm, the NPV was 96.4%, and all these false-negative cases were N1. Pre-OP diagnosed DCIS patients with MRI tumor size < 3 cm and node negative suitable for BCS could safely omit SLNB if whole breast radiotherapy is to be performed.

Conclusion

Breast MRI had high NPV to predict ALN metastasis in pre-OP DCIS patients, which is useful and could be provided as shared decision-making reference.

The role of MRI and clinicopathologic features in predicting the invasive component of biopsy-confirmed ductal carcinoma in situ

Background

The upgrade rate of biopsy-confirmed ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to invasive carcinoma is up to 50% on final pathology. We investigated MRI and clinicopathologic predictors of the invasive components of DCIS diagnosed by preoperative biopsy and then compared MRI features between patients with DCIS, microinvasive ductal carcinoma (mIDC), and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) diagnosed on final pathology.

Methods

Two hundred and one patients with 206 biopsy-confirmed DCIS lesions were enrolled. MRI and clinicopathologic features were used to predict either mIDC or IDC via a cumulative logistic regression analysis. For the lesions detected on MRI, morphologic and kinetic analyses were performed using the Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and Kruskal-Wallis tests.

Results

Of all the lesions, 112 (54.4%) were diagnosed as DCIS, 50 (24.3%) were upgraded to mIDC, and 44 (21.4%) to IDC. The detection on MRI as mass (Odds ratio (OR) = 8.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.05–74.04, P = 0.045) or non-mass enhancement (NME; OR = 11.17, 95% CI = 1.35–92.36, P = 0.025), negative progesterone receptor (PR; OR = 2.40, 95% CI = 1.29–4.44, P = 0.006), and high Ki-67 level (OR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.30–4.50, P = 0.005) were significant independent predictors of histologic upgrade. On MRI, 87 (42.2%) lesions appeared as mass and 107 (51.9%) as NME. Irregularly shaped, not-circumscribed, heterogeneous, or rim-enhancing masses with intratumoral high signal intensity or peritumoral edema, clumped or clustered ring-enhancing NMEs, and high peak enhancement were significantly associated with histologic upgrade (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

MRI detection, negative PR, and high Ki-67 levels are associated with a histologic upgrade in patients with biopsy-confirmed DCIS. Suspicious MRI features are more frequent in such patients.

Ductal carcinoma in situ on digital mammography versus digital breast tomosynthesis: rates and predictors of pathologic upgrade

OBJECTIVES

To compare upgrade rates of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) on digital mammography (DM) versus digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and identify patient, imaging, and pathological features associated with upgrade risk.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of 318 women (mean 59 years, range 37-89) with screening-detected DCIS from 2007 to 2011 (DM group) and from 2013 to 2016 (DBT group). Comparisons made between DM and DBT groups using the unpaired t test and chi-square test include detection rates of DCIS, upgrade rates to invasive cancer, and pathological features of DCIS and upgraded cases. Patient, imaging, and pathological features associated with upgrade were also determined. P values < 0.05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in detection rates of DCIS between DM and DBT groups (0.9 versus 1.0 per 1000 examinations, p = 0.45). Upgrade rates of DCIS to invasive cancer in DM and DBT groups were similar (17.3% versus 16.8%, p = 0.90), despite significant differences in pathological features of DCIS between DM and DBT groups (including nuclear grade, comedonecrosis, and progesterone receptor status [p ≤ 0.01]). Among upgraded cases, a higher proportion were high-grade invasive cancers with DBT (36.7% versus 9.5%, p = 0.03). In both groups, ultrasound-guided (versus stereotactic) biopsy was associated with higher upgrade risk (p ≤ 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

There was no significant difference in detection rates or upgrade rates of DCIS on DM versus DBT; however, upgraded cases were more likely to be high grade with DBT, suggesting possible differences in tumor biology between cancers with DM and DBT. In both DM and DBT groups, biopsy modality was associated with upgrade risk.

KEY POINTS

• Detection rates and upgrade rates of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) on digital mammography (DM) versus digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) are similar. • A higher proportion of upgraded cases were high-grade invasive cancers with DBT than DM, suggesting possible differences in tumor biology between cancers that are detected with DM and DBT. • With both DM and DBT, ultrasound-guided biopsy (versus stereotactic biopsy) was associated with a higher risk of upgrade.