Invasive breast cancer

What is invasive breast cancer?

Invasive breast cancer means that the cancer cells have grown through the lining of the ducts into the surrounding breast tissue. 

Most invasive breast cancers have no special features and are classed as No Special Type (NST) or not otherwise specified (NOS). Between 70 and 80 out of 100 (between 70 and 80%) breast cancers are this type.

Special type means that when the doctor looks at the cancer cells under a microscope the cells have particular features. Breast cancers that are classed as special types include some rare types of breast cancer.

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)

Invasive breast cancer is different from ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). In invasive cancer, the cells have broken out of the duct and spread into the surrounding breast tissue.

DCIS means that some cells have started to turn into cancer, but these cells are all contained inside the ducts. 

Remember that if your doctor has told you that you have DCIS, you don't have invasive breast cancer.

We have more information about DCIS

Symptoms of invasive breast cancer

Symptoms of invasive breast cancer include:

• a new lump or thickening in your breast or armpit

• a change in size, shape or feel of your breast

• skin changes in the breast such as puckering, dimpling, a rash or redness of the skin

• fluid leaking from the nipple in a woman who isn’t pregnant or breastfeeding

• changes in the position of nipple

Find out more about the symptoms of breast cancer

Diagnosing invasive breast cancer

Your GP may refer you to a breast clinic if you have any symptoms that could be due to invasive breast cancer. You may also be referred to a breast clinic for tests if your screening mammogram shows an abnormal area. 

You usually have a number of tests to check for breast cancer. This includes one or more of the following tests:

• a breast examination

• a ​mammogram​  

• a breast ​ultrasound scan​

• taking a sample (biopsy) of tissue from your breast

It's important to know that most people who attend a breast clinic with symptoms do not have breast cancer. 

Find out more about the tests for breast cancer

Invasive breast cancer treatment

Your doctor will take many different factors into account when deciding which treatment is best for you. This is why your treatment may be different from other people with invasive breast cancer. The factors include:

• the type of cells the cancer started in

• the size of the cancer and whether it has spread (the stage)

• how abnormal the cells look under the microscope (the grade)

• whether the cells have ​receptors​ for particular cancer drugs

• your general health and level of fitness

• whether you have had the ​menopause​  

There are many different types of treatment that you can have. You might have one or more of them.

Drug treatments before surgery

You might have chemotherapy or hormone therapy before surgery. This is called neo adjuvant therapy.

The main aim of neo adjuvant therapy is to shrink the cancer before surgery.

Surgery

You might have breast conserving surgery or a mastectomy. 

Breast conserving surgery removes the area of cancer and a surrounding area of healthy tissue. This operation is also called a wide local excision or lumpectomy.

A mastectomy is an operation to remove the whole breast. If you have a mastectomy, you might be able to have a new breast made (breast reconstruction). You might have this at the same time as the mastectomy or some time afterwards.

You may also have surgery to remove the ​lymph nodes in your armpit. Your surgeon will let you know whether you need this. 

Other treatments

After surgery, you may have other treatments. These include:

• radiotherapy

• chemotherapy

• hormone therapy

• targeted cancer drugs

• drugs that strengthen the bones called bisphosphonates

Find out about treatments for breast cancer

Follow up for invasive breast cancer

You usually have a mammogram every year, for at least 5 years after treatment. 

You might also have regular check ups after treatment for invasive breast cancer. How often you have these depends on your individual situation.

Some hospitals have a system of follow ups where you don't have regular check ups. In this system, you might have regular phone calls with your breast specialist nurse. You can also contact them and arrange an appointment if you have any new symptoms or are worried about anything. This is called supported self management or patient initiated follow up (PIFU). 

It’s important to remember to contact your healthcare team if you notice a new symptom or have questions. You can also speak to your GP.

UK guidelines say that everyone who has had treatment for early breast cancer should have a copy of a written care plan. The care plan has information about tests you will have, and signs and symptoms to look out for. It will also include contact details for specialist staff, such as your breast care nurse.

Read more about breast cancer follow up

Research and clinical trials

Invasive breast cancer is the most common type of breast cancer. So most breast cancer research is looking at this type.

Currently, researchers around the world are looking at:

• the causes and prevention of breast cancer

• screening and diagnosis

• new treatments

• ways to improve existing treatments

• ways to cope with breast cancer and its treatment

Go to Cancer Research UK’s clinical trials database if you are looking for a trial for breast cancer in the UK.

Find a clinical trial

Coping with invasive breast cancer

Coping with invasive breast cancer can be difficult. There is help and support available to you and your family.

Read about what you can do to cope with breast cancer