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What is an Infiltrative Ductal Carcinoma?

Sometimes regenerating breast cells mutate---reasons unknown---and collect in the breast ducts. When the mutated cells stay within the ducts, it is Ductal Carcinoma In-situ, or DCIS; when these atypical cells break out of the ducts invading surrounding tissue, it becomes infiltrating ductal carcinoma, or IDC.

  1. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

    • IDC is the same as invasive ductal carcinoma. The American Cancer Society states that each year more than 180,000 women in the US receive a breast cancer diagnosis, most with IDC.

    DCIS and IDC

    • No one knows when DCIS becomes IDC or why the cancer invades other tissues. Over time, IDC can spread to lymph nodes and beyond.

    Characteristics of IDC

    • IDC is characterized by a lump of cancer cells surrounded by scar tissue. Usually the lump causes no pain and needs to be biopsied to confirm whether it is a carcinoma.

    Treatment of IDC

    • Typical treatment includes surgery such as a lumpectomy or mastectomy, with reconstructive surgery, followed by chemotherapy and/or radiation.

    Complimentary Treatments for IDC

    • Complimentary treatments, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, yoga, music, prayer and massage, can be used with standard treatments. Sometimes called holistic medicine, complimentary medicine addresses how disease affects the whole person: physically, spiritually, emotionally and socially.

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