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Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA) provides comprehensive treatment of cancer and blood disorders to patients throughout New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and the Washington, DC, area.
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Treatment in NJ, CT, MA, MD, and the Washington, D.C., Area
Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer. This, and other cancer types are treated at Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA). RCCA is a group of more than 100 medical oncologists and hematologists who treat patients who have solid tumors, blood-based cancers and benign blood disorders at 25 locations throughout New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, and the Washington, DC area. They strive to educate patients while providing innovative care. RCCA offers cutting-edge treatments, including targeted therapy and hormone treatments.
What Is Invasive Ductal Carcinoma?
Breast cancer, also called ductal carcinoma, occurs when cells in the breast start to develop abnormally. While healthy cells reproduce at a controlled rate to replace those that die, cancerous cells multiply quickly. This creates a constantly growing tumorous mass that crowds out normal cells.
Most breast cancer begins in the milk ducts. Over time, however, the cancer cells spread to tissues near the ducts. This can include fatty tissue, lymph nodes and vessels, skin, and even parts of the body beyond the breast. Cancer that has spread outside the milk ducts is called invasive ductal carcinoma.
Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) is the most prevalent kind of breast cancer, with the American Cancer Society stating that about 80% of breast cancers are invasive ductal carcinomas.
Stages of IDC and Patient Outlook
The severity of IDC depends on its stage. Breast cancer stages are used by medical oncologists to describe how large a cancerous tumor is and how far cancer cells have spread. Stages include:
- Stage I: The tumor measures 2 centimeters or less, and only a small number of cancer cells have spread to nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage II: The tumor measures between 2 and 5 centimeters, or the cancer cells have spread to nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage III: The tumor is very large, or the cancer cells have spread to several nearby lymph nodes, distant lymph nodes, or the skin.
- Stage IV: Cancer cells have spread (metastasized) to parts of the body beyond the breast, such as the bones, liver, lungs, or brain.
Most patients diagnosed with Stage I and Stage II breast cancer will have successful treatment. Survival rates decline as cancer progresses. This is why early detection is so important to cancer treatment.
Signs and Symptoms of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Every case of IDC is unique. Some individuals do not experience any symptoms. Others, meanwhile, may notice unexplained changes in their breasts. These signs and symptoms may include:
- A lump in the breast or underarm area
- Swelling of all or part of the breast
- Dimpled skin that looks like an orange peel
- Dry, flaky, or scaly skin around the nipple
- Changes in the breast size or shape
- Changes in the nipple size or shape
- Nipple discharge that is not milk
- Persistent pain in the nipple or breast
Not every change in the breasts is caused by cancer. Breasts can be affected by menstrual cycles, pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight changes, age, and other factors. Many people who experience the symptoms listed above will not have breast cancer. Nonetheless, it is important to consult a physician about these symptoms, particularly if they are pronounced, arose suddenly, or have persisted for an extended period.
Diagnostic Tests for Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Most cases of IDC are detected through routine mammogram screening. The mammogram image will reveal an abnormal mass in the breast tissue. If a mass is detected or if someone visits a doctor regarding breast cancer symptoms, further tests may be requested to confirm a diagnosis:
Diagnostic Mammogram
Mammograms are X-ray devices used to take detailed images of the interior breast structures. Diagnostic mammograms often use higher-quality equipment than routine screenings and take more images of the breast at different angles, allowing for a more thorough analysis.
Ultrasound
Ultrasounds are sometimes used to complement mammogram results. This imaging technology uses sound waves. Unlike mammograms, which take pictures of the whole breast, ultrasounds typically focus on a specific area. This allows more precise assessment of suspicious areas.
Biopsy
Biopsies involve removing a small amount of tissue or fluid from a suspicious area. This sample is evaluated in a laboratory to confirm whether the cells are cancerous. It also determines characteristics such as hormone receptors and the presence of certain proteins to inform possible treatments.
Surgery for Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Many early-stage cases of IDC are treated with surgery. Depending on the size of the tumor and the degree of spread, one of two procedures may be used:
- Lumpectomy: Also called breast-conserving surgery, this procedure removes only the tumor and a small amount of healthy tissue, reducing the aesthetic impact of surgery.
- Mastectomy: This procedure involves removing the entire breast. It is recommended to treat large IDC tumors or to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurring after treatment.
If IDC has spread to the lymph nodes, a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLND) or axillary lymph node dissection may also be performed. These procedures are done to remove cancerous lymph nodes and prevent further spread.
Radiation Treatment for IDC
Radiation therapy is frequently used after surgery to treat IDC. This procedure involves targeting cancer cells with a focused dosage of radiation to kill cancer cells that could not be removed with surgery. Types of radiation treatment for cancer include:
- Radiation therapy: The oncologist directs a high-energy beam at the cancer cells, killing them while avoiding damage to healthy tissue.
- Brachytherapy: A closed source of radiation is implanted inside or near the cancer cells, delivering a higher-power dosage.
Systemic Therapies for Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Systemic therapies are treatments that affect the whole body, not just a focused area. This makes them effective in eliminating cancer cells that may have spread further in the body. They may also be used to shrink a tumor before surgery or radiation therapy, allowing for easier removal. Types include:
- Chemotherapy: This treatment uses strong drugs that attack and kill fast-growing tissues, including invasive breast cancer cells.
- Targeted therapy: This treatment is an option for cancers that test positive for HER2 proteins. It uses drugs that precisely kill cells with HER2.
- Hormone therapy: This is an option for cancers that are HR-positive. It works by blocking the hormones that these cancers use to grow.
- Immunotherapy: This treatment strengthens the patient’s immune system and trains it to identify and destroy cancer cells.
Living With IDC
If cancer progresses to Stage IV, treatment focuses on prolonging and improving quality of life. Palliative care aims to reduce symptoms and enhance comfort for patients living with a long-term illness. Psychology and spiritual services are also available to help patients through the emotional impact of a Stage IV cancer diagnosis, while support groups connect patients with one another to combat loneliness.
Find Comprehensive Breast Cancer Treatment in NJ, CT, MA, MD, and the Washington, D.C., Area
Regional Cancer Care Associates specialists provide care to more than 30,000 new patients and 265,000 established patients each year. RCCA physicians offer patients innovative therapies, including immunotherapies and targeted therapy, cutting-edge diagnostics as well as access to approximately 300 clinical trials in community-based centers close to home. In addition to serving patients who have solid tumors, blood-based cancers, and benign blood disorders, RCCA care centers also provide infusion services to people with a number of non-oncologic conditions — including multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, asthma, iron-deficiency anemia, and rheumatoid arthritis — who take intravenously-administered medications.
Frequently Asked Questions About Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)
What is invasive ductal carcinoma?
Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) is breast cancer that has spread beyond its point of origin in the milk ducts. It is the most common type of breast cancer, accounting for 80% of diagnoses.
What are the symptoms of invasive ductal carcinoma?
The most common symptom of IDC is a new lump in the breast. Other symptoms include:
- Swelling in the breast
- Dimpled or pitted skin
- Dry, flaky or scaly skin
- Changes in the breast size or shape
- Persistent breast or nipple pain
- Nipple discharge
What treatments are available for invasive ductal carcinoma?
Most invasive ductal carcinoma is treated using surgery or radiation therapy. Systemic treatments such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or hormone therapy may also be used to shrink the tumor before surgery.
Join RCCA in the Fight Against Breast Cancer
Breast cancer patients can seek the most comprehensive, patient-centered care that the area has to offer at Regional Cancer Care Associates. Our network of highly experienced doctors works together to deliver the care and support you need for all aspects of your life. Call your local RCCA office to learn more about breast cancer or to schedule an appointment for a consultation today.
Physicians SPECIALIZED IN BREAST CANCER
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