Invasive verses noninvasive

Some cancer cells have broken through the breast ducts and has invaded surrounding tissue. Non-invasive means that while there are cancer cells in the tumour, it has NOT broken through the ducts to invade surrounding tissues. It doesn't mean that it has spread throughout your breast but in the spot where there is a tumour. Invasive is any stage from one to 4. Non-invasive means stage 0. So, if you have invasive ductal cancer, its stage (not stage 0) will be determined by several factors..size, node involvement, and grades vary from 1 to 3 depending on what the invasive cells look like under a microscope. You could still have a stage 1 ductal carcinoma in situ (stage 0) with grade 3 characteristics or a stage 4 (metastatic) with grade 1 characteristics. Hormones, whether positive or negative, and Her2+ or - will factor into treatment plans as well. So, you do have a breast cancer that is invading surrounding tissue and further tests will reveal how much and other prognostic factors mentioned. Your stage and grade are to be determined but do not assume they are going to be high. Let us know how you are doing and what has been found. This IS the hardest time you are going through. (((HUGS))))

I also wanted to stress that "invasive" does not mean "metastasized". I had IDC too but my sentinel lymph node was clear so the cancer is confined to the breast.

SuiteLisa, that term "invasive" is enough to send anyone howling for the hills. As others have said, it just means that cancer cells have escaped the duct. The vast majority of breast cancers are diagnosed early while they are still contained in the breast (stages I-III). It is *possible* to be at stage IV at initial diagnosis (cancer outside the breast), however it is much less likely.

One step at a time, girly. See what the surgeon advises. Try not to think too far into the future. Keep your hands busy--busy hands steady the mind.

Hi SuiteLisa. As others have said, this is the hardest part in some respects and do try to take it one step at a time. For some of us surgery meant missing only 2-3 days of work, for example. So ask your doctor lots of questions but try to be optimistic too. All best wishes.

SuiteLisa- the wait is the worst, and we tend to jump to conclusions while we wait. Get yourself a notebook, or padfolio, and write out your questions for Friday. You can ask what days your surgeon operates on, know in advance the days you'll be out of work. Anything to ease your mind, ask. Best wishes on Friday.