What is Stage Zero Breast Cancer?
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/ Updated July 7th, 2023

What is Stage Zero Breast Cancer?

Medical Source: Dr. Elizabeth Comen
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
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In order to reduce the fear around the very earliest stage breast cancer we want you to understand the definition and the debate around treatment.

Stage zero breast cancer, also known as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), refers to cancer that's confined to the breast milk duct. There are two important facts about DCIS breast cancer:

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1. It doesn’t spread to other parts of the body.

2. The risk of death is essentially zero.

As we said, among breast cancer doctors there is some debate about how to treat DCIS.  Some doctors don’t even consider it a cancer, but rather a collection of abnormal cells or a pre-cancer, which is why some women opt for a watch and wait approach. Others may recommend the surgery route which usually involves a lumpectomy and potentially radiation as well. This somewhat more aggressive treatment (which is the standard protocol at major cancer centers) does have side effects, and potentially, long term effects. You should ask your doctor about the very large study going on which is comparing outcomes and long-term impact for treatment vs. watchful waiting in stage zero breast cancer.

Less commonly, doctors and their patients will decide on more aggressive approaches depending on the amount of DCIS in the breast and a woman’s specific risk factors for a future breast cancer. One reason some doctors may want to remove DCIS is if a biopsy reveals any evidence that a more invasive breast cancer could be present.

The good news about DCIS: it's usually always treated successfully (many oncologists do use the word cure in this situation), and you can take some time to digest the options, and then make a decision that's right for you.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

Dr. Elizabeth Comen serves as a medical advisor to SurvivorNet. She is a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Read More

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