Ductal Carcinoma in Situ of the Breast

Definition

Low and intermediate grade DCIS require cytologic, architectural and size criteria to be met
High grade DCIS requires only cytologic criteria
Link below to separate pages for each grade for complete criteria or select Grading at left for summary
- Low grade
  - Round, regular to mildly irregular nuclei up to 2-3x the size of a RBC
  - No comedo necrosis
- Intermediate grade
  - Round, regular to mildly irregular nuclei up to 2-3x the size of a RBC
  - Substantial comedo necrosis
- High grade
  - Pleomorphic nuclei >3x the size of a RBC
  - Substantial comedo necrosis usually present, not required
Usual architectural types (see detailed descriptions on the various grades, links above)
- Useful for recognition and description but grade is more clinically useful
- Cribriform
- Micropapillary
- Solid (mosaic, microacinar)
- Comedo
Special types
Criteria for minimal stromal invasion

Richard L Kempson MD
Department of Pathology
Stanford University School of Medicine
Stanford CA 94305-5342

Original posting:: October 14, 2006