UPMC Hillman Cancer Center introduces DCISionRT, a precision medicine tool that helps patients with non-invasive breast cancer decide whether radiotherapy is necessary.
Women in Croatia diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a non-invasive form of breast cancer, now have access to a new test that can help them avoid unnecessary radiation. UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Croatia has introduced DCISionRT, a precision medicine diagnostic tool that assesses the individual risk of disease recurrence and the expected benefit of radiotherapy after surgery.
According to data reported by RHZK Krapina, DCIS accounts for approximately 20 to 25 percent of all breast cancers detected through screening mammograms. The test combines tumor biology with clinical factors to give doctors and patients a clearer picture of how beneficial radiotherapy would be in a specific case.
Breast cancer remains the most common malignant tumor among women in Croatia. The Croatian Institute of Public Health records more than 3,000 new cases each year, and nearly 700 women lose their battle with the disease annually. Breast cancer is responsible for approximately a quarter of all newly diagnosed oncological diseases in women.
It is precisely because of these numbers that experts emphasize the importance of early detection and therapy tailored to each patient. DCISionRT comes as an answer to the frequently asked question after surgery for non-invasive cancer confined to the milk ducts: does additional radiotherapy provide enough benefit to justify its side effects?
Radiotherapy can reduce the risk of disease recurrence in some patients, but it is not equally beneficial for everyone. DCISionRT provides a personalized assessment of the risk of local recurrence and the expected benefit of radiation, allowing the decision to be made jointly, taking into account the specifics of the disease and the woman's life situation.
"Each person's diagnosis is unique, and treatment decisions should reflect that. DCISionRT provides additional information that can help us better understand individual risk and the potential benefit of radiotherapy, thereby offering patients even more precise and personalized treatment," said Marko Bebek, MD, Medical Director at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Croatia and a specialist in oncology and radiotherapy.
Patients diagnosed with DCIS who want more information about testing can contact the center via email at [email protected].
The introduction of DCISionRT is a continuation of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center's efforts to bring the latest diagnostic and therapeutic solutions to Croatian patients. The center continuously introduces innovations in precision medicine that respect the individual characteristics of the disease as well as the patient's quality of life.
This year, UPMC, in collaboration with the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO), enabled public funding for certain diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, making advanced oncological care more accessible to patients across the country. Additionally, veterans from Krapina-Zagorje County have been provided with free treatment using conventional radiation at the center in Zabok.
"Our goal is to provide patients in Croatia with access to the same advanced diagnostic tools and personalized treatment approaches available in leading global oncology centers. For many women, the decision about radiotherapy after DCIS treatment is not simple. This test provides additional confidence in decision-making and helps ensure that each patient receives the therapy that best suits her disease and life situation," added Dr. Bebek.
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Croatia is part of the international non-profit network of one of the leading American oncology centers, offering Croatian patients diagnostics, radiotherapy, and personalized oncological care according to the highest international standards.
