Ductile carcinomas are cancers arising from the epithelial cells that make up duct tissue. These cells generally form tube structures that carry fluids and chemicals to tissues within an organ, or carry substances to neighboring organs. Ductile cancer most commonly occurs in the mammary glands--the breasts, or within the series ducts in and around the pancreas. These cancers are classified according to their location in the body and their ability to invade other tissues.
Breast Ductile Carcinoma In Situ
One type of mammary gland ductile carcinoma is ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS. DCIS is considered a relatively mild form of breast cancer, since DCIS tumor cells have not yet begun to invade other tissues within the breast, and is the most common form of non-invasive breast cancer, according to BreastCancer.org. Patients with DCIS may develop a cancerous lump affecting one region of the breast. The lump may be palpable during an exam, and is typically visible on a mammogram. Following a breast biopsy to confirm the presence of DCIS, doctors can treat the cancer with surgery, drug therapy or radiation.
Breast Infiltrating Ductile Carcinoma
A more severe ductal carcinoma of the breast is infiltrating ductile carcinoma, or IDC. Unlike DCIS, which remains localized within one region of the breast, IDC cells have gained the ability to invade other tissues. As a result, patients with IDC may develop a breast lump involving multiple breast ducts, as well as cancer spreading to structures outside the breast, such as the lymph nodes. The Network of Strength indicates that IDC often feels like a very hard lump within the breast, which may be accompanied by a change in the appearance of the breast, such as a retraction of the nipple. Patients with IDC typically undergo breast cancer surgery to excise the cancer, as well as radiation or chemotherapy.
Pancreatic Ductile Carcinoma
Some ductile carcinomas develop within the ducts of the pancreas, called intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms. Ductile pancreatic cancer growth is characterized by the presence of thick mucus secreted by the cancer cells. Johns Hopkins explains that pancreatic ductile cancer commonly begins as a benign tumor that, if left undetected, eventually turns into malignant cancer. The cancer growth can affect any of the ducts within the pancreas, and lead to the development of several symptoms including nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In severe cases, a blockage of the pancreatic ducts can cause pancreatic fluids and salts to leak into the bloodstream, causing a yellowing of the skin, called jaundice. Once diagnosed, pancreatic ductile cancer is most commonly treated with surgery to remove the tumor.
