Invasive cancer is a term doctors use to describe cancer that has grown past the original tissue or cells where it developed, and spread to otherwise healthy surrounding tissue
According to the
If cancer metastasizes, the mortality rate from the cancer generally increases.
Keep reading to learn more about invasive cancer, the general outlook, and insight into some of the various forms of invasive cancer.
Once the cancer has started to invade surrounding tissues, its ability to pass through membranes allows the cancer cells to spread via the lymphatic circulatory system. The lymphatic circulatory system is part of the circulatory system. It maintains healthy fluid levels throughout the body by collecting excess fluids and filters the blood through lymph nodes.
Ultimately, after cancer cells spread, they will attach somewhere other than the original tumor area and form a secondary tumor.
Here are some types of cancer that may become invasive:
Invasive bladder cancer has spread from the lining of the bladder, where it typically starts, to the muscles of the bladder.
Prevalence
Invasive bladder cancer is the third most common cancer in males. Each year, doctors diagnose about 83,000 new cases.
About 25% of all bladder cancers are invasive and have moved into the surrounding muscle of the bladder.
Symptoms
A person may experience no symptoms at all. According to the American Urological Association, some symptoms include:
- back pain
- blood in the urine (hematuria). This is the most common symptom that a person should not ignore
- pain during urination
- pain in the lower abdomen
- a frequent need to urinate
Treatment
Treatment may involve one or more options. The American Urological Association states that common treatments include:
- chemotherapy
- radiation
- full or partial bladder removal
- a combination of the three approaches
Outlook
Bladder cancer outlook will vary based on the stage and person’s overall health following diagnosis. According to the
- Localized: 69%
- Regional: 37%
- Distant: 6%
The Skin Cancer Foundation states that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States of America. Around 1 out of every 5 Americans will develop a form of skin cancer by the time they are 70 years old.
Prevalence
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, doctors diagnose about 207,000 cases of melanoma each year. Of these, around 106,000 will be non-invasive and only affect the top layer of skin.
Symptoms
In the early stages, skin cancer does not typically present with noticeable symptoms. However, a person can visually see cancerous spots on their skin. The
- have an irregular border
- are asymmetrical in color or shape
- change over time
- are generally smaller than other spots on the skin
Treatment
Skin cancer treatment typically involves the removal of the cancer. The exact treatments used will vary based on the type of skin cancer a person has, as well as what stage the cancer is at when discovered. According to the
- radiation therapy
- surgery
- chemical peel
- chemotherapy
- photodynamic therapy
- targeted therapy
- immunotherapy
- other drug therapy
Outlook
The earlier skin cancer is caught, the better the overall outcome will likely be. The exact outlook will vary for people based on the exact type of skin cancer a person has. For example, according to the
Testicular cancer affects a part of the male reproductive system. According to the
The two main types are seminomas, which are generally slower growing and spreading, and non-seminomas, which have four main subtypes and tend to spread and grow faster than seminomas.
Invasive testicular cancer accounts for less than
Prevalence
According to the
Less than 5% of all testicular cancer cases are invasive.
Symptoms
Symptoms are often minimal for invasive testicular cancer. A person most likely will notice a painless lump on their teste.
Johns Hopkins Medicine states that a person may feel pain if the cancer is rapidly growing. Other symptoms can include:
- lower back pain
- abdominal mass
- chest pain or shortness of breath if the cancer has spread to the lungs
- gastrointestinal issues if the cancer has spread to the GI tract
Treatment
Treatment for testicular cancer will vary based on the stage as well as the person. According to the
- radiation
- surgery
- chemotherapy
- high-dose chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant
A person should talk to their doctor about the best treatment for them.
Outlook
Testicular cancer has a relatively high survival rate. According to the
- Localized – 99% (non-invasive)
- Regional – 96%
- Distant -73%
Breast cancers typically start in either the milk ducts or the lobules that produce milk. Invasive breast cancer occurs when the cancer spreads into other areas of the breast or surrounding tissue.
Prevalence
According to BreastCancer.org, in 2021, doctors will diagnose about 281,550 new invasive breast cancer cases. In addition, about 1 out of 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime.
Symptoms
According to the
- pain around the nipple
- a new lump in the breast or underarm
- swelling of the breasts
- pain anywhere on the breast
- dimpling or irritation of the skin on the breast
- red, flaky skin around the nipples or other areas of the breast
- any change in the shape or size of the breast
- nipple discharge other than breast milk
Treatment
The exact treatment a person will undergo for breast cancer will vary based on the type and severity of the breast cancer. According to the
- surgery
- radiation
- hormone therapy
- chemotherapy
- targeted drug therapy
- immunotherapy
A person should talk to their doctor about the best treatment options based on the exact type of cancer they have.
Outlook
Breast cancer survival rates can vary based on the person, the stage the cancer was at diagnosis, and the subtype of cancer they have. According to the
- Localized: 99%
- Regional: 86%
- Distant: 28%
A person not diagnosed with cancer should see a doctor regularly for routine health checks. This can include cancer screenings to check for early signs of potential cancer.
A person diagnosed with non-invasive cancer should see a doctor more frequently for checks. A doctor can check to see if the cancer has progressed or come back.
A person in treatment for invasive cancer should work with a doctor to determine how often they need medical appointments. They should do their best to keep all appointments and follow treatments as prescribed.
A person should contact a doctor if they notice any side effects from treatment. A doctor may be able to help them cope with the side effects.
Invasive cancer occurs when a cancer has spread past the original tissue in which it developed.
Initially, invasive cancer invades local healthy tissue and lymph nodes. If left untreated or if treatments do not work, the cancer can metastasize and spread to other areas of the body.
People’s treatment, symptoms, quality of life, and outlook will vary greatly based on several factors, including the type of cancer they have as well as their age, the stage of the cancer, and their overall health.