[ PRINT ] [ Printing FAQ ] About OncoLink Editorial Board Sponsors Help See Today's OncoTip Usage Statistics Virtual Classroom Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute "Confronting Cancer Through Art" is an exhibition by people whose lives have been touched by cancer. This week we are featuring artwork by: Jacqueline Kniewasser Pontypool, Ontario Visit the Children's Art Gallery This week's artwork was donated by a pediatric cancer patient who received treatment for cancer at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

OncoLink FAQ: Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Versus Ductal Carcinoma In-Situ Last Revision Date: Sunday, 14-Feb-1999 13:54:29 EST Copyright © 1994-1999, The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania This is a response to a question about the differences between invasive ductal carcinoma and DCIS (ductal carcinoma in-situ) of the breast. Question: Dear OncoLink, I am trying to research the differences between invasive ductal carcinoma and DCIS (ductal carcinoma in-situ) to determine which form of breast cancer from which our client is suffering. I know that she has cancer in 12 of 21 lymph nodes and that the cancer is invasive. Please provide me with any information you may have to help in my determination. Many thanks, S. C. John Han-Chih Chang, MD, OncoLink Editorial Assistant, responds: Dear S. C. Thank you for your interest and question. You have inadvertently answered you own question by saying the cancer has spread to 12 of 21 nodes. Ductal carcinoma in-situ (DCIS) is a noninvasive disease/cancer. Also, having lymph nodes involved really points to an invasive cancer. "Invasive" implies that the tumor itself has spread through the cell's membrane and this has access to the regional lymphatic tissue. DCIS in many studies has demonstrated no metastasis into lymph nodes. The frequency of DCIS metastasizing into the patient's lymph nodes is less than 1%. The other issue is whether this invasive cancer you speak of is ductal, lobular or another type that may have spread (metastasized) from another site to the breast (which is uncommon). The most common type is ductal carcinoma, but lobular is also seen. Both are treated similarly. Please see our Breast Cancer menu for further information on the various types of breast cancer.

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