Invasive Carcinoma (Invasive Cancer)

Once a lesion (DCIS or LCIS) breaks through the boundary of the duct or the lobule, that individual is said to have invasive ductal carcinoma or invasive lobular carcinoma, and these tumors are characterized under the microscope (see Types of Breast Cancer). Invasive carcinomas (see photo #6) are potentially life-threatening, and even with appropriate treatment not everyone will be cured. Fortunately, the chances for survival of patients with invasive breast carcinoma are improving. This is the result of screening mammography to identify smaller tumors and better therapy options.

Photo #6. Click on the image for a larger view.

There are special types of invasive carcinoma that have a better than average prognosis (chance for complete cure). Some of these are tubular carcinoma, colloid (or mucinous) carcinoma, papillary carcinoma and medullary carcinoma. These are usually treated in a similar manner to the more common variety of invasive duct carcinoma, however the chances for cure are considered higher.

Invasive lobular carcinoma is treated in much the same what as invasive duct carcinoma with regard to surgery and chemotherapy. Invasive lobular carcinomas however are more likely than invasive ductal carcinoma to have positive estrogen/progesterone receptors. Therefore antihormonal therapy (for example Tamoxifen) is often used after surgery for invasive lobular carcinoma.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer accounts for less than 1% of all breast cancers.  This cancer many times presents as a red area on the breast that often looks and feels like an infection or an allergic reaction.  It can have texture that is like an orange peel and it may change color.  These symptoms are due to cancer cells blocking the lymphatic channels of the skin on the breast and may occur with or without pain and discharge from the nipple.  Inflammatory breast cancer is very aggressive; it grows and spreads rapidly.  If symptoms of this nature present and are treated with antibiotics without resolution, a surgeon should be consulted and a skin and/or breast biopsy may be necessary.  Inflammatory breast cancer is usually a stage IIIB (i.e. locally advanced breast cancer).