How long does it take DCIS to develop?
Some forms of DCIS are present for years in the breast without changing. Some forms of DCIS are associated with subsequent invasive growth after 4 to 8 years. There are instances in which there is a small area of microcalcification, which had been thought to be benign and was followed for 5 or 6 years. And then, all of a sudden, something changes. Little spiculations grow out of it. Spiculations are markings with little spikes on them. These indicate the presence of the cancer. So, we can document, in retrospect, that this cancer was present as an in situ cancer for 5 or 6 years, and then invasive cancer developed from it.
