What Are the Treatments for Invasive Ductal Cancer?

Invasive ductal carcinoma, abbreviated IDC, is the most common form of cancer affecting the breast. The American Cancer Society reports it represents approximately 80 percent of all breast cancers that are invasive.

Definition

Cancer originating in the breast's milk duct is called ductal carcinoma. Invasive means cancerous cells have spread beyond the duct to other parts of the breast or body.

Stage I

Stage I cancer remains small and in the breast. Treatments include removing the tumor, removing part or all of the breast, radiation therapy following surgery and adjuvant systemic therapy (combination of drugs and/or procedures like chemotherapy after surgery to destroy undetected lingering cancer).

Stage II

Stage II cancer is larger and/or has spread to closer lymph nodes. Treatments include Stage I procedures and neoadjuvant therapy (similar to adjuvant, but administered before surgery to decrease tumor size).

Stage III

Stage III cancer is even larger and/or has spread to the breast's skin or distant lymph nodes. Treatments include Stage II procedures, although patients with more advanced IDC often receive chemotherapy before surgery.

Stage IV

Stage IV cancer has spread to other areas of the body. Since local procedures like surgery are ineffective cures, treatment primarily involves systemic therapy to reach cancer throughout the body via the bloodstream.

References

• Treatment of Invasive Breast Cancer by Stage
• Types of Breast Cancer
• What Is Breast Cancer?

Resources

• BreastCancer.org