Ductal carcinoma is a variety of breast cancer that begins in the ducts that transmit milk from the breast to the nipple. Ductal carcinomas can be difficult to detect but, if caught early, can frequently be treated with radiation and surgery. The symptoms of a ductal carcinoma typically involve just the breast but can lead to problems throughout the body.
Lump
One of the earliest signs of a ductal carcinoma, the Mayo Clinic explains, is an unusual lump found in the breast. The lump is often harder than the surrounding breast tissue and will be less mobile. In most cases, the lump will not be painful and will have irregular edges. Not all breast lumps caused by a ductal carcinoma will be easily felt via a self-exam, so it is important for women to get mammograms as recommended by their doctors. Lumps may also be felt in the armpit if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in this region.
Breast Changes
Ductal carcinomas, particularly those that have become invasive, can also result in changes in the surface or the appearance of the breast. Women may experience irritation, redness or dimpling at the surface of the breast, BreastCancer.org explains. Women with invasive ductal carcinoma may also notice changes in the affected breast's nipple. This can cause the nipple to develop dimples or be inverted. In other cases, the skin around the nipple may become scaly and red. The skin of the nipple or the breast may also become scaly. Another symptom commonly associated with ductal carcinomas is the appearance of a nipple discharge that is not milk.
Types
There are two main types of ductal carcinomas. One form, known as ductal carcinoma in situ, involves cancerous cells that remain confined to a milk duct in the breast. Because this type of ductal carcinoma has not spread beyond the tissue from which it arose, it is considered to be noninvasive and is less likely to cause any symptoms. Over time, however, this type of carcinoma can develop into invasive ductal carcinoma, which means that the cancer cells are gaining access to the surrounding tissues. Invasive ductal carcinomas cause more symptoms and are more likely to spread elsewhere in the body.
Detection
Women who notice changes in their breast or have developed a breast lump may wish to have additional tests done. A mammogram can be used to identify any unusual lumps in the breasts; ductal carcinomas, the Mayo Clinic explains, often have small crystals known as calcifications on their edges. A biopsy may also be performed to be able to distinguish between lumps caused by ductal carcinomas and those that are not cancerous.
Advanced Carcinoma
Sometimes ductal carcinomas will not cause symptoms until they have metastasized. Metastasis is a process in which the ductal carcinoma is able to spread to other parts of the body. The symptoms caused by metastatic ductal carcinoma depend on where the cancer spreads. Sometimes it will result in swelling of the lymph nodes in the armpit. In other cases the cancer can spread to the bones, resulting in chronic bone pain, MedlinePlus explains. This can also weaken the bones and lead to easy fracturing. Patients may also develop swelling of the arm next to the affected breast. Sometimes the metastatic cancer will also lead to sores developing on the skin and unexplained weight loss. Once ductal carcinomas spread throughout the body, they are known as advanced breast cancer.
