Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)

How is invasive ductal carcinoma diagnosed?

• Several tests can help your doctor identify and diagnose IDC, including:

  • Physical exam. A manual examination of your breasts by your doctor can detect lumps and other changes. If your doctor feels a lump or thickening, he or she may recommend further tests to rule out IDC.

  • Digital mammography is an improved method of breast imaging that is performed much like a regular mammogram. However, it is better than conventional mammography in detecting cancer in younger patients and those with dense breast tissue. Electronic images can be enhanced with computer-aided detection systems to spot masses, calcifications, and abnormalities associated with cancer.

  • Breast ultrasound uses sound waves to examine the breast tissue and gauge blood flow. It is safe for examining pregnant patients and does not use radiation.

  • Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a large magnet, radio waves, and a computer that can detect small breast lesions and may be especially useful in examining patients with a high risk of breast cancer, such as those with BRCA1, BRCA2, or other gene mutations associated with cancer.

  • Schedule Your Mammogram

  • Biopsy. A breast biopsy involves taking a sample of breast tissue from a suspicious area and sending it to a laboratory for microscopic examination by a pathologist, a doctor who specializes in identifying signs of disease. A biopsy can confirm or rule out the presence of cancer and, if cancer is present, reveal its characteristics.