DCIS Accounts for Approximately 20–25% of All Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Cases

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Brings Advanced Precision Medicine Test for Breast Cancer to Croatia

13 August 2026

Zabok, Croatia – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Croatia has introduced DCISionRT, an innovative precision medicine test designed for women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a non-invasive form of breast cancer. DCIS accounts for approximately 20–25% of all newly diagnosed breast cancers detected through screening mammography. The test provides additional information to help physicians and patients make more informed and personalized treatment decisions, particularly when determining the potential need for radiation therapy following surgery.

Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Croatia. According to the Croatian Institute of Public Health, more than 3,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, making it the third leading cause of cancer-related death among women, with nearly 700 deaths annually. Breast cancer also accounts for approximately one-quarter of all newly diagnosed cancers in women, highlighting the importance of early detection and precisely tailored treatment for achieving the best possible outcomes.

For women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) – a non-invasive form of breast cancer confined to the milk ducts – the decision of whether to undergo radiation therapy following surgery is often a complex one. While radiation therapy can significantly reduce the risk of recurrence for some patients, it may not provide the same benefit for everyone. This is precisely why DCISionRT was developed: to enable a more accurate assessment of an individual patient's risk and the potential benefit of radiation therapy.

DCISionRT combines information about the tumor's biology with key clinical factors to generate a personalized assessment of the risk of local recurrence and the expected benefit of radiation therapy. Based on these results, physicians and patients can work together to make treatment decisions that are tailored to the specific characteristics of the disease and the individual needs of each woman.

“Every patient's diagnosis is unique, and treatment decisions should reflect that individuality. DCISionRT provides additional information that helps us better understand a patient's individual risk and the potential benefit of radiation therapy, allowing us to offer even more precise and personalized treatment”, said Marko Bebek, MD, Medical Director of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Croatia and a specialist in medical and radiation oncology. Patients diagnosed with DCIS who would like to learn more about DCISionRT testing can contact UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Croatia by email at info@upmc.hr

The introduction of DCISionRT is part of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Croatia's ongoing commitment to bringing the most advanced diagnostic and treatment solutions closer to patients in Croatia. The Center continues to introduce innovations in precision medicine that support treatment decisions based not only on the biological characteristics of the disease but also on each patient's quality of life.

This latest milestone builds on UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Croatia's recent achievements, including its collaboration with the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO), which this year enabled public reimbursement for selected diagnostic and treatment services provided at the Center. As a result, advanced oncology care has become more accessible to patients throughout Croatia. In addition, this year UPMC provided free conventional radiation therapy to Croatian war veterans from Krapina-Zagorje County at its center in Zabok.

“Our goal is to ensure that patients in Croatia have access to the same advanced diagnostic tools and personalized treatment approaches available at leading cancer centers around the world. For many women, deciding whether to proceed with radiation therapy after DCIS treatment can be challenging. This test provides valuable clarity and helps ensure that every patient receives care that is truly tailored to her disease and personal circumstances”, added Dr. Bebek.

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Croatia is part of the international, non-profit network of one of the leading cancer centers in the United States, providing patients in Croatia with access to state-of-the-art diagnostics, radiation oncology, and personalized cancer care delivered according to the highest international standards.