Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma

infiltrating ductal is a particular type of breast cancer.

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Also known as invasive ductal carcinoma, this tumor is so defined for its ability to cross the boundary of the breast structure to invade other areas of the body. Unfortunately, it is one of the most widespread forms of breast cancer which, in some cases, can also be associated with other types of cancer, such as lobular carcinoma.

The prognosis and therapeutic strategy depend on the degree of aggression and the stage of the carcinoma. However, in general, surgery is almost always necessary.

and other organs (metastases).

There are two different subtypes of infiltrating ductal carcinoma:

• Infiltrating ductal carcinoma not otherwise specified (abbreviated with the "acronym" NAS ");
• The infiltrating ductal carcinoma of a special type.

In the course of the article, however, the aforementioned subtypes will not be detailed, but only the general characteristics of infiltrating ductal carcinoma will be analyzed.

(in this case, located at the level of the breast ducts) which - escaping the cellular control mechanisms - reproduce at high speed, losing their function.

The exact causes that lead to the aforementioned hyperproliferation, unfortunately, are not yet fully known, but - in the development of the disease - it is believed that there is competition from multiple risk factors, including:

• Genetic predisposition and family history (family history of infiltrating ductal carcinoma or other types of breast cancer);
• Older age, the risk of breast cancers such as infiltrating ductal carcinoma progressively increases with advancing age;
• Early menarche, the early onset of the first menstruation may represent a risk factor for the development of infiltrating ductal carcinoma;
• Late menopause, similarly to what has been said above, late menopause can also predispose to the onset of cancer;
• Childbirth, women who have given birth have a temporary increased risk of developing breast cancer such as infiltrating ductal carcinoma;
• Obesity and overweight, in particular, during menopause;
• Diabetes;
• Lifestyle, an unregulated lifestyle characterized by bad habits (unbalanced diet, alcohol consumption, smoking habit, little or no physical activity, etc.) represents a major risk factor for the development of breast cancer and more ;
• Environmental factors (for example, radiation exposure).

or mammography - it has poorly defined or spiculated margins ("star" shape) and may or may not be associated with micro-calcifications (small calcium deposits). In the early stages, this palpable mass - usually hard in texture - is unlikely to cause pain, but may be accompanied by:

• Puckering of the breast skin;
• Swelling and redness
• Nipple discharge
• Increase in the volume of the axillary lymph nodes.

As the development of infiltrating ductal carcinoma continues, the aforementioned lump increases in size and begins to spread to surrounding tissues, lymph nodes, and potentially other organs. Symptoms may occur at this stage, such as:

• Pain in both breasts and axillary lymph nodes;
• Nipple retraction and redness;
• Ulceration of the overlying skin.

Unfortunately, the absence of pain in the early stages of the development of infiltrating ductal carcinoma can lead to a delay in diagnosis.

) about the presence of symptoms or any familiarity - will use suitable diagnostic tests, such as:

• Bilateral mammography: radiographic examination that allows the detection, even early, of breast diseases such as infiltrating ductal carcinoma.
• Cytological examination by fine needle aspiration: this is an examination that is carried out following mammography in the event that this has shown the presence of abnormal formations or masses in one or both breasts. The technique consists in aspirating a part of the lesion through a very thin needle. The aspirated material is then subjected to cytological examination in order to identify the presence of malignant tumor cells.
• Cytological examination of secretions emerging from the nipple.
• Biopsy: this is a more invasive method than "fine needle aspiration," it consists in performing a small surgery during which a part of the suspected malignant lesion is removed which will then be subjected to histological examination.

In some cases, the doctor may also decide to resort to "performing" a breast ultrasound which, however, does not always prove useful from a diagnostic point of view.

, lungs and bones) and / or occurs in association with other malignant tumors, the prognosis may be particularly poor.

The prognosis, therefore, can vary greatly from patient to patient.

(also intra-operative) and / or anticancer chemotherapy.

Conservative Surgical Treatment

Conservative surgical treatment can be carried out:

• By removing only the tumor mass;
• By removing the quadrant of the breast in which the carcinoma in question is present, thus also removing part of the surrounding tissue (in this case, we speak more precisely of quadrantectomy or large breast resection).

The aim of conservative surgical treatment, therefore, is to remove the tumor while preserving the affected breast as much as possible.

Partial mastectomy

Partial or segmental mastectomy involves the removal of more than one quadrant of the breast, but even in this case, the breast is not removed entirely.

Total mastectomy

Total mastectomy, on the other hand, involves the total removal of the breast affected by the infiltrating ductal carcinoma. In some cases, the doctor may decide to also remove the sentinel lymph node and possibly some or all of the axillary lymph nodes. In severe cases, it may also be necessary to remove part of the pectoral muscle and the overlying skin. Fortunately, in many cases it is possible to safeguard the areola and the nipple.