The Van Nuys DCIS Prognostic Index →The Silverstein DCIS Prognostic Index.

Abstract

After 60 years of surgical service and the creation/development of three breast centers at the Van Nuys Breast Center, the University of Southern California (USC), and the Hoag Family Cancer Institute, Dr. Melvin J. Silverstein has announced his retirement. Dr. Silverstein founded the first free-standing breast center in America, authored the first book devoted solely to ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and was a pioneer in oncoplastic breast-conservation surgery. One of his many contributions to the field of breast cancer care was the development of the Van Nuys DCIS Prognostic Index (VPNI). The VNPI has been used and refined around the world to estimate the likelihood of local recurrence of DCIS after breast-conservation therapy. Always the modest professional, Dr. Silverstein named the classification after the breast clinic he built rather than himself. We propose a commemoration of Dr. Silverstein's retirement and legacy by suggesting that the Van Nuys DCIS Prognostic Index also be named the Silverstein DCIS Prognostic Index, after the physician who brought this system to medical science.