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The need for epidemiologic studies of in-situ carcinoma of the breast.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Millikan, R; Dressler, L; Geradts, J; Graham, M
Published in: Breast Cancer Res Treat
July 1995

The purpose of this paper is to present background information on carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the breast and to provide a theoretical framework for planning epidemiologic studies which may further our understanding of breast cancer. Two types of epidemiologic studies are needed which incorporate CIS of the breast: (i) case-control studies, in which in-situ lesions serve as disease outcomes (endpoints), and (ii) cohort studies and clinical trials, in which diagnosis of in-situ carcinoma serves as a starting point for patient treatment and follow-up. Case-control studies focusing on the causes of CIS have distinct advantages: if risk factors for cancer contribute to pathways involving some intermediate stages but not others (e.g. comedo-type but not non-comedo-type DCIS; LCIS versus DCIS), the use of precursor lesions may more clearly reveal risk factor associations than studies of invasive breast cancer alone; epidemiologic studies of precursor lesions are conducted closer in time to the exposures suspected to be causes and may reduce recall bias or other forms of misclassification; genetic alterations in early lesions are more likely to represent causal events in development of the malignant phenotype. Population-based case-control studies of CIS may thus prove useful in understanding breast cancer etiology and designing preventive strategies. CIS patients identified for case-control studies may be followed up over time as a cohort. Cohort studies (and clinical trials) of CIS aim to elucidate mechanisms influencing progression of CIS to invasive cancer as well as to evaluate effectiveness of specific treatment modalities. Although the majority of CIS lesions of the breast are ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), epidemiologic studies which also include patients with lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) address potential differences between DCIS and LCIS with respect to both etiology and progression.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Breast Cancer Res Treat

DOI

ISSN

0167-6806

Publication Date

July 1995

Volume

35

Issue

1

Start / End Page

65 / 77

Location

Netherlands

Related Subject Headings

  • Risk Factors
  • Research
  • Oncology & Carcinogenesis
  • Humans
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Female
  • Disease Progression
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Carcinoma in Situ
  • Breast Neoplasms
 

Citation

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ICMJE
MLA
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Millikan, R., Dressler, L., Geradts, J., & Graham, M. (1995). The need for epidemiologic studies of in-situ carcinoma of the breast. Breast Cancer Res Treat, 35(1), 65–77. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00694747
Millikan, R., L. Dressler, J. Geradts, and M. Graham. “The need for epidemiologic studies of in-situ carcinoma of the breast.Breast Cancer Res Treat 35, no. 1 (July 1995): 65–77. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00694747.
Millikan R, Dressler L, Geradts J, Graham M. The need for epidemiologic studies of in-situ carcinoma of the breast. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 1995 Jul;35(1):65–77.
Millikan, R., et al. “The need for epidemiologic studies of in-situ carcinoma of the breast.Breast Cancer Res Treat, vol. 35, no. 1, July 1995, pp. 65–77. Pubmed, doi:10.1007/BF00694747.
Millikan R, Dressler L, Geradts J, Graham M. The need for epidemiologic studies of in-situ carcinoma of the breast. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 1995 Jul;35(1):65–77.
Journal cover image

Published In

Breast Cancer Res Treat

DOI

ISSN

0167-6806

Publication Date

July 1995

Volume

35

Issue

1

Start / End Page

65 / 77

Location

Netherlands

Related Subject Headings

  • Risk Factors
  • Research
  • Oncology & Carcinogenesis
  • Humans
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Female
  • Disease Progression
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Carcinoma in Situ
  • Breast Neoplasms