UPMC Hillman Cancer Center has officially launched a new diagnostic tool called DCISionRT. This innovative precision medicine test represents a significant step forward in the personalised approach to treating certain types of breast tumours.
This specific test is intended exclusively for women previously diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ, known by the acronym DCIS. It is important to note that DCIS represents a non-invasive form of breast cancer, meaning that cancer cells have not yet invaded surrounding healthy breast tissue.
Statistically, this form of the disease accounts for a significant proportion of newly diagnosed cases. Indeed, DCIS accounts for approximately 20 to 25 per cent of all breast cancers detected through screening mammograms. Due to its prevalence, accurate risk profiling for these patients is crucial for effective health management.
The primary purpose of introducing DCISionRT is to provide additional, deeper information that was previously unavailable through standard methods. These more detailed data enable doctors to better understand the specifics of each case.
Through the use of this tool, medical staff and patients can together make more informed and individualised decisions about the further course of treatment. This avoids a "one size fits all" approach in favour of therapies tailored to the specific needs of the patient.
