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Invasive Breast Cancer: Symptoms, Treatments, Prognosis
Breast cancer can happen to anyone. It is not bound by age, gender, or ethnic group. But among women, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer.
Women in the U.S. have a one in eight chance of developing invasive breast cancer. And the American Cancer Society estimates that more than 1 million women in the U.S. have breast cancer and don't know it.
There are effective treatments for invasive breast cancer. It's important to recognize the signs of invasive breast cancer and to work closely with your doctor. Here's information you can use to help you have the best outcome with invasive breast cancer.
How does the anatomy of the breast relate to breast cancer?
The female breast consists of:
- fat
- fibrous or connective tissue
- glands
- 15 to 20 lobes and smaller lobules
- tiny ducts
After a pregnancy, milk is produced in tiny glands and then flows through miniscule tubes or ducts to the nipple.
The breast also contains lymph vessels and lymph nodes. The lymph nodes serve to keep the body well. They do that by trapping cancer cells, bacteria, and other harmful substances.
Some breast cancers begin in the glands. Most breast cancers, though, begin in the breast ducts or tubes that connect the lobules to the nipple. Other cancers start in the breast tissues.
What is invasive breast cancer?
Invasive breast cancer is cancer that spreads outside the membrane of the lobule or duct into the breast tissue. The cancer can then spread into the lymph nodes in the armpit or beyond to the brain, bones, liver, or lungs.
When breast cancer cells are found in other parts of the body, the cancer is called metastatic breast cancer.
There are several types of invasive breast cancer, including:
- Invasiveductal carcinoma (IDC). With IDC, cancer cells start in a milk duct, break through the duct walls, and then invade fatty breast tissue. IDC can remain localized, which means it stays near the site where the tumor originated. Or the cancer cells may enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system and metastasize -- spread -- anywhere in the body. Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common type of invasive breast cancer. It accounts for 80% of invasive cancers.
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). This cancer is ductal carcinoma in its earliest stage -- stage 0. In situ means the breast cancer hasn't spread beyond its point of origin. That means the cancer is confined to the milk ducts and has not invaded nearby breast tissue. If it is left untreated, though, it can become invasive cancer.
- Infiltrating (invasive) lobular carcinoma (ILC). This cancer accounts for about 10% to 15% of invasive breast cancers. ILC starts in the lobules or milk glands. It then spreads in a way similar to IDC. With ILC, most women feel a mass or thickening instead of a breast lump.
WebMD Medical Reference
Breast Cancer Guide
VIVELLE-DOT (estradiol transdermal system) IS AVAILABLE BY PRESCRPTION ONLY.
INDICATION
Vivelle-Dot is used after menopause to: reduce moderate to severe hot flashes; treat moderate to severe dryness, itching and burning in or around the vagina; help reduce your chances of getting osteoporosis (thin weak bones); and treat certain conditions in which a young woman's ovaries do not produce enough estrogens naturally. Vivelle-Dot 0.025 mg/day is only used to prevent osteoporosis from menopause. If you use Vivelle-Dot only to treat your dryness, itching, and burning in and around your vagina or if you use Vivelle-Dot only to prevent osteoporosis from menopause, talk with your healthcare professional about whether a different treatment or medicine without estrogens might be better for you.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Estrogens increase the chances of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are taking estrogens. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb).
Do not use estrogens with or without progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots. Using estrogens with progestins may increase your risk of dementia (decline in memory and thinking skills).
Vivelle-Dot should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding; currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus; had a stroke or heart attack in the recent past (for example, in the past year); currently have or have had blood clots; currently have or have had liver problems; or think you may be, or know that you are, pregnant.
The most common side effects that may occur with Vivelle-Dot are headache, breast tenderness, and back pain.
You and your healthcare professional should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with Vivelle-Dot.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Full Prescribing Information for Vivelle-Dot.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and a new study reveals why a high number of women with the disease still prefer to have the entire breast surgically removed instead of just the tumor. It's not always because doctors recommend it.
