Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Stages, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Breast Cancer affects many people around the globe, and Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, one of its types, is most commonly reported.

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, also known as Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma, accounts for about 70-80% of all Breast Cancers.

These numbers are high, but early detection can be a way forward for better results.

This article will discuss Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in detail and help you understand the alarming signs and symptoms and how this Breast Cancer can be treated.

What is Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) is a subtype of Invasive Breast Cancer. 

You can understand its meaning from the name itself; let’s break it down.

• Invasive: This term simply means something that has invaded or spread beyond its site of origin. In the case of IDC, it extends into surrounding breast tissues.
• Ductal: It represents the point where the Invasive Ductal Carcinoma starts, the milk ducts. They are the tubes that carry milk from the lobules to the nipple.
• Carcinoma: It refers to any form of Cancer that develops in the skin or other tissues, like breast tissue covering your internal organs.

Thus, IDC is a Breast Cancer that begins in the breast’s milk ducts and spreads to surrounding breast tissue.

Stages of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

The staging of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma depends on where, how big, and how far the Cancer has spread. It is divided into four stages:

• Stage 0: Your milk ducts are the only site of the malignancy. The term Non-Invasive Ductal Carcinoma In Situ also applies to this stage.
• Stage 1: The Cancer has reached the breast tissue outside your milk ducts but has not yet reached your lymph nodes. In certain circumstances, the disease may have invaded your lymph nodes but not the breast tissue around them.
• Stage 2: In this stage, the tiny tumor has affected one to three of your lymph nodes. You may also have a larger tumor that hasn’t affected your lymph nodes.
• Stage 3: Cancer has not yet circulated to other parts of your body but has frequently spread to more than three of your lymph nodes or is inflaming the majority of your breast skin.
• Stage 4: Your other organs, such as your bones, liver, lungs, brain, chest wall, or distant lymph nodes, have been affected by Cancer.

Symptoms of IDC Breast Cancer

In most cases, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma shows little to no symptoms. 

Even if there are some symptoms, it might be difficult to notice them. 

Still, you have to be alert and observant of the below-listed signs and symptoms of IDC Breast Cancer:

• Lump: A lump in your breasts or underarms is a common symptom of Breast Cancers, including Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.
• Swelling of the breast: The swelling may usually occur in one breast. In a study by American Association for Cancer Research, the left breast is more likely to develop cancer than the right.
• Breast dimpling: Breast dimpling means that your breast’s skin has an uneven and pitting texture similar to an orange peel. It can look like a stretch mark.
• Breast pain: You may feel discomfort, tenderness, or pain in the breast or underarm region. This pain is persistent and will not go away after your period.
• Irritation in breasts: You may feel irritation in the breasts and sometimes also notice a rash or redness.
• Nipple inversion: Your nipple may turn inward if you have Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. An inverted nipple is prevalent in 10-20% of the general population.
• Abnormal nipple discharge: Other than the milk discharge, which is normal, you may notice blood or clear discharges. It may come out of only one breast.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma is not only done with a single method. 

It may involve a combination of procedures that includes:

Breast physical examination

A breast physical involves a doctor or health professional who manually checks for any lumps in your breasts.

It can be difficult to notice or feel any lump in your breast, but an experienced health professional can carefully examine and notice the lumps.

Your doctor may call you frequently to check if the lumps are getting bigger or smaller.

Mammogram

Doctors use mammograms to look for early Breast Cancer symptoms. X-ray images of the breast are used in mammograms.

It is the best test available to doctors to detect Breast Cancer early, often up to three years before it can be felt.

During a mammogram, the breast is exposed to a small radiation dose.

Biopsy

A biopsy is said to be the most assured way to confirm whether you have Breast Cancer or not. 

If a doctor suspects that you have Invasive Ductal Carcinoma with the help of a mammogram or physical examination, they may recommend a biopsy.

In a biopsy, a small operation is done to remove tissue from an area of concern in the body and then studied under a microscope.

In the United States, about 20% of women who undergo biopsies have Cancer.

Treatment for Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

There are various treatments for Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. The treatment is given considering factors like age, medical history, stage of Cancer, etc. The treatments may include:

• Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy is almost usually advised following a lumpectomy and may also be recommended following a mastectomy if the Cancer is extensive or if lymph nodes have been affected.
• Surgery: Based on the features of the Cancer, your family’s medical history, and your preferences, your doctor will decide on the sort of surgery that is best for you
• Chemotherapy: You can receive chemotherapy either before or after surgery. Your doctor will determine if chemotherapy is the best course for you depending on the Cancer and your medical history.
• Targeted therapy: Cancer treatments that target particular aspects of Cancer cells, such as a protein that enables its growth quickly or abnormally, are known as targeted therapies.
• Hormone treatment: It is also known as anti-Estrogen therapy or Endocrine therapy. Your doctor will likely advise this treatment if your Breast Cancer cells have receptors for the hormones Estrogen, Progesterone, or both. 
  About 70% of all breast cancers depend on Estrogen or Progesterone for growth.
• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy medications target Cancer cells using your body’s immune system. Immunotherapy may be a treatment option for you, depending on the Cancer’s features.

Takeaway

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma is a common type of Breast Cancer that starts from the breast’s milk ducts and spreads to surrounding breast tissue.

Depending on the severity of IDC, it is divided into four stages, the fourth being the most dangerous.

The symptoms of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma include new lumps, swelling, dimpling, and pain in the breasts. 

Sometimes, breast irritation may also occur due to IDC.

It can be difficult to notice the symptoms, so a careful diagnosis can help in proper IDC detection and early treatment.

Your doctor may give you a combination of treatments, including radiation, hormonal, chemo, immune, and targeted therapies. Moreover, surgery can also be performed.

Frequently Asked Questions

• breastcancer.org
• cancer.gov
• hopkinsmedicine.org