Recurrence after breast ablation for ductal carcinoma in situ.

Three patients are described having locally recurrent invasive breast cancer after breast ablation for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). All had initially extensive type ductal carcinoma in situ without evidence of invasion in adequately sampled microscopical studies. One patient developed a scar recurrence and lung metastases 2 years after surgery; one patient showed a scar recurrence 3 years after operation and one patient had a recurrence in the chest wall 27 years after surgery. Although generally stated that ablative therapy offers a 100% cure in case of DCIS, these cases illustrate that local recurrence may occur. Possible causes and preventions are discussed.