Fundamentals Of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
In Invasive ductal carcinoma the abnormal cell that began forming in the milk ducts( milk ducts are tasked for carrying and transporting milk from the milk-producing lobules to the nipple for lactation and breastfeeding) further spread outside of the milk ducts into other parts of the breast tissue. At this point, it may be able to spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body through the lymph system and bloodstream. That is why IDC is sometimes described as “infiltrating” when it becomes more widespread.
IDC is also a type of breast cancer that most commonly affects men.
Less Common Types Of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Medullary Ductal Carcinoma
It is called “medullary” because, under a microscope, it resembles part of the brain called the medulla.Medullary tumors are less likely to involve the lymph nodes, are more responsive to treatment, and may have a better prognosis than more common types of invasive ductal cancer.
- This cancer is also rare, accounting for fewer than 1 percent of invasive breast cancers.
- In most cases, these types of tumors are diagnosed in older, postmenopausal women.
- Medullary carcinoma is more common in women who have a BRCA1 gene mutation. Medullary tumors are often “triple-negative,” which means they test negative for estrogen and progesterone receptors and for the HER2 protein.
Mucinous Ductal Carcinoma
Like other types of invasive ductal cancer, mucinous ductal carcinoma begins in the milk duct of the breast before spreading to the tissues around the duct. Sometimes called colloid carcinoma, this cancer tends to affect women who have gone through menopause.
- This type of breast cancer accounts for fewer than 2 percent of breast cancers.
- Microscopic evaluations reveal that these cancer cells are surrounded by mucus.
- Mucinous cells are typically positive for estrogen and/or progesterone receptors and negative for the HER2 receptor.
Papillary ductal carcinoma
It is a type of breast cancer that, similar to other invasive ductal cancers, begins in the milk duct before extending into the surrounding tissues. The cancer cells form finger-like projections known as papillae. These papillae have a distinct structure, and the cancer is characterized by the presence of these finger-like growths. The cells in papillary ductal carcinoma may have a well-defined organization, making it a recognizable subtype within the spectrum of invasive ductal carcinomas.
- This cancer is also rare, accounting for fewer than 1 percent of invasive breast cancers.
- In most cases, these types of tumors are diagnosed in older, postmenopausal women.
- Under a microscope, these cells resemble tiny fingers or papules.
- Papillary breast cancers are typically small, and test positive for the estrogen and/or progesterone receptors and negative for the HER2 receptor.
- Most papillary carcinomas are invasive and are treated like invasive ductal carcinoma.
Tubular ductal carcinoma
Like other types of invasive ductal cancer, tubular breast cancer originates in the milk duct, then spreads to tissues around the duct. Tubular ductal carcinoma cells form tube-shaped structures.
- It is a rare type of IDC and makes up fewer than 2 percent of breast cancer diagnoses.
- Tubular ductal carcinoma is more common in women older than 50.
- Tubular breast cancers typically test positive for the estrogen and/or progesterone receptors and negative for the HER2 receptor.
“Invasive ductal carcinoma is quite curable, especially when detected and treated early.”
“Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Insights and Care”
- Both Men and women have the possibility of Developing Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.
- Invasive ductal carcinoma is a type of breast cancer that can develop at any age,
but it is more commonly diagnosed in people over the age of 55. - Trans Women have a higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to cisgender men.
When doctors diagnose invasive ductal carcinoma, they give it a stage between 0 and 4. The lowest stage describes early and small tumors, while the higher stages categorize cancers that have progressed and spread. This information helps the care team determine how to approach treatment.
Following are the five stages of ductal carcinoma:
- Stage 0: This stage is also known as non-invasive ductal carcinoma in situ as the cancer is localized to your milk ducts.
- Stage 1: There are two categories in stage 1
- The cancer has spread outside of your milk ducts to the breast tissue, but it hasn’t spread to your lymph nodes.
- The cancer may have spread to your lymph nodes, but not to your surrounding breast tissue.
- Stage 2: There are two categories in stage 2
- The tumor is small and has spread to one to three of your lymph nodes.
- The tumor is larger, but hasn’t spread to any of your lymph nodes.
- Stage 3:
- Stage 3A: The tumor can be any size, but it has spread to four to nine axillary (armpit) lymph nodes or to internal mammary lymph nodes without going to distant areas. If the tumor is bigger than 50 mm, it might have spread to one to three axillary lymph nodes.
- Stage 3B: Tumors in this stage have spread to the chest area, caused swelling in the breasts, or are classified as inflammatory breast cancer. They may have spread to up to nine nearby axillary (armpit) or internal mammary lymph nodes but haven’t gone to distant sites.
- Stage 3C: Tumors of any size in this stage have spread to 10 or more axillary (armpit) lymph nodes, the internal mammary lymph nodes, or the nodes under the collarbone. However, the cancer hasn’t spread to distant areas of the body.
Stage 4: The cancer has spread to your other organs, which may include your bones, liver, lungs, brain, chest wall or distant lymph nodes.
Invasive ductal carcinoma may not cause any obvious symptoms if it is in its early stages.
Here are some signs of invasive ductal carcinoma that people might experience :-
- A new lump in the breast.
- Swelling of the breast.
- Breast pain (Breast pain is a natural part of a woman’s menstrual cycle, often occurring about a week before you get your period)
- Nipple pain.
- Dimpling (development of small, visible indentations or dimples on the skin)
- Skin irritation.
- Redness or scaliness.
- A lump near the armpit.
- Inverted nipple.
- Thickening of the breast skin or nipple.
- Discharge from the nipple that isn’t breast milk.
Regular screening plays an important role in invasive ductal carcinoma as in most cases the cancer is found during routine mammograms.
Following are the potential steps undertaken by the healthcare provider for diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma:
- A physical examination to check for lumps in your breast and also they might check for swollen lymph nodes in your underarm area.
- If a healthcare provider suspects cancer, they might conduct additional tests which include:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This imaging test uses radio waves and magnets to produce detailed pictures of your breast tissue.
- Ultrasound. Using high-frequency sound waves, an ultrasound provides clear images of your internal organs and other tissues.
Biopsy. Your healthcare provider takes a small sample of your breast tissue with a needle. The sample is then sent to a pathology lab for further testing.
Specific treatment depends on the size and location of your tumor, your healing capacity, and your personal preferences. There are several approaches that can be used in treating this type of breast cancer, and some potential treatments are listed below.
- Breast cancer surgery. A surgeon removes the tumor and confirms whether or not the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. Some people may only have the tumor removed (lumpectomy), while others may have some or all of their breast tissue removed (mastectomy).
- Chemotherapy. For people with invasive ductal carcinoma, chemotherapy may be given before surgery to shrink the tumor or after surgery to reduce the chance of cancer returning. Chemotherapy may also be recommended as the main treatment for people with metastatic breast cancer.
- Radiation therapy. In most breast cancer cases, radiation therapy is used after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells. Occasionally, it may be used to shrink a tumor before surgery. Radiation therapy may also be recommended when a tumor can’t be surgically removed due to the size or location.
- Targeted therapy. This treatment uses drugs to target certain characteristics of cancer cells. For example, if there’s a protein in your body that causes abnormal cells to multiply, your provider might give you drugs that target that specific protein.
- Anti-hormone therapy. Sometimes called endocrine therapy, this treatment lowers the amount of estrogen in your body. This blocks estrogen from causing breast cancer cells to grow.
- Immunotherapy. Used in combination with chemotherapy, this treatment uses the power of your immune system to fight cancer cells.
Side effects invasive ductal carcinoma treatment depend on how advanced your tumor is, where it’s located and what type of treatment you undergo.
Below is the list of side effects which you might experience after your treatment.
- People who have breast cancer surgery may experience infection, blood clots or complications from anesthesia.
- People who undergo chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy may have:
- Fatigue.
- Fever.
- Diarrhea.
- Muscle aches.
- Hair loss.
- Mood changes.
- Skin reactions.
- Mouth sores.
- Weight changes.
- Fertility problems.
- For patients receiving anti-hormone therapy, the most common side effects are hot flashes, joint pain, weight changes, mood changes, vaginal dryness or discharge and decrease of sexual desire.