An Overview of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) in Women's Breast Cancer

Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) is the most common type of breast cancer, primarily affecting women in the United States and across the world. This review summarizes key concepts related to IDC causes, treatment approaches, and the identification of biological markers for specific prognoses. Furthermore, we reviewed many studies, including those involving patients with IDC and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) that progressed to IDC. We reported various studies on the causes of IDC, including mutations on BRCA1 and BRCA2, different levels of expression of specific genes in signaling pathways, menopause status, alcohol consumption, aging, and hormone imbalances that cause IDC while p-SMAD4 expressions, DNA methylation, regulations of hub genes, and underestimation of IDC affecting prognoses. Prompt IDC diagnosis and early intervention have been reported to demonstrate a greater probability of eradicating IDC and preventing further recurrence in the future. It is crucial for physicians and researchers to equip patients with the best information possible to proactively manage their health, whether it be for IDC prevention or treatment. Overall, our review provided a comprehensive understanding of IDC that enables patients to grasp the nature of the disease with the hope of mitigating IDC risk, decrease the anxiety of a cancer diagnosis, and encourage patients to become more involved in making informed decisions for their healthcare.