What is Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)?

Nov 26, 2015 5:30:00 PM Posted by Iowa Radiology

cancer mammography

IDC

Invasive or infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) is the most common type of breast cancer, making up about 80% of all breast cancers.[1] According to the American Cancer Society, more than 180,000 women in the United States find out they have invasive breast cancer each year, about two-thirds of whom are age 55 or older.[2]

DCIS – ductal carcinoma in situ – refers to a cancer that is still contained in a milk duct of the breast and has not invaded any other area. IDC, on the other hand, refers to a cancer that began in the milk ducts but has already spread into the surrounding breast tissues. It is vital to treat it before it spreads to the lymph nodes and other areas of the body. There are a number of specific kinds of IDC, including tubular, medullary, mucinous, papillary, and cribriform; if it does not have particular differentiating characteristics, it is considered “NST” (“no special type”).[3]

 

Symptoms

In some cases, you or your doctor might feel a lump or mass in your breast. According to the American Cancer Society, any of the following unusual changes in the breast are warning signs that might indicate IDC:[4]

  • swelling of all or part of the breast
  • skin irritation or dimpling
  • new focal pain in one breast
  • nipple pain or the nipple turning inward
  • redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin
  • a nipple discharge other than breast milk
  • a lump in the underarm area 

 

Detection 

You may not have any symptoms of IDC. Many times, a routine mammogram shows an abnormality, and IDC is detected through further testing. This is why regular screening mammograms are so important: to detect cancers that otherwise might go unnoticed until they have spread and advanced.

If your mammogram shows an abnormality, your provider may recommend you undergo additional testing. These tests can include an ultrasound, traditional or 3-D mammogram, or breast MRI. Your doctor may also schedule a biopsy.

 

Determining the Stage of IDC

The “stage” of a cancer is a delineation of how far it has spread from its original location. The stage of the cancer is based on:

  • the size of the tumor
  • whether the cancer has spread to any lymph nodes, and if so, how many
  • whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body

Invasive ductal carcinoma is described on a scale from stage I (the earliest stage) through stage IV (the most advanced stage).[5] The earlier cancer is detected, the better the chances of successful treatment and the more options that will be available.

 

Treatment Options 

Like ductal carcinoma in situ, there are numerous treatment options for IDC. These may include localized treatment like surgery and radiation, or systemic treatments like hormone therapy or chemotherapy. New targeted treatment like HER2-targeted therapies may also be appropriate. These involve drugs specifically targeting certain cellular proteins.[6] Treatment options will be different based on the type of IDC, its stage, and other medical considerations.

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The information contained in the Iowa Radiology website is presented as public service information only. It is not intended to be nor is it a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider if you think you may have a medical problem before starting any new treatment, or if you have any questions regarding your medical condition. Iowa Radiology occasionally supplies links to other web sites as a service to its readers and is not in any way responsible for information provided by other organizations.

 

Sources 

[1] “IDC – Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.” BreastCancer.org. n.p., 2015. Web. 9 Nov 2015.

[2] Ibid.

[3] “Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.” HopkinsMedicine.org. The Johns Hopkins University, 2015. Web. 9 Nov 2015.

[4] “Signs and Symptoms of IDC.” BreastCancer.org. n.p., 2015. Web. 9 Nov 2015.

[5] “Tests for Staging IDC.” BreastCancer.org. 2015.

[6] “Systemic Treatments for IDC: Chemotherapy, Hormonal Therapy, Targeted Therapies.” BreastCancer.org. n.p., 2015. Web. 9 Nov 2015.

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The information contained in the Iowa Radiology website is presented as public service information only. It is not intended to be nor is it a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider if you think you may have a medical problem before starting any new treatment, or if you have any questions regarding your medical condition.Iowa Radiology occasionally supplies links to other web sites as a service to its readers and is not in any way responsible for information provided by other organizations.