What Is Invasive Cancer? What You Need to Know

What Is Invasive Cancer?

Invasive cancer grows in and beyond the tissues or cells where it first developed and spreads to surrounding healthy tissues. It is cancer that invades by definition.

According to the US National Cancer Institute, the term infiltrating cancer, meaning “penetrating insidiously,” is also used instead of invasive. When cancer cells reach this point, they secrete a substance that breaks down cellular junctions and allows the cancer to leave its starting point. Research describes this insidious penetration as the first step in metastasis.

When cancer metastasizes, cancer-related mortality also increases.

The Concepts of Invasive Cancer and Metastatic Cancer

When cancer begins to invade surrounding tissues, its ability to cross membranes allows cancer cells to spread through the lymphatic circulatory system. The lymphatic circulatory system is part of the circulatory system. It maintains healthy fluid levels by collecting excess fluid, and uses lymph nodes to filter the blood.

After spreading, cancer cells attach to a site outside the original tumor area and form metastatic tumor deposits.

Many cancers can become invasive. Let us examine a few:

• Bladder cancer
• Skin cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Breast cancer

Bladder Cancer

Invasive bladder cancer spreads from the bladder lining (inner layer), where it often begins, into the bladder muscles.

Invasive bladder cancer is the third most common cancer type in men. Approximately 12,250 new bladder cancers are diagnosed in Turkey each year. About 25% of all bladder cancers are invasive and progress into the muscle surrounding the bladder.

Symptoms of Bladder Cancer

According to the American Urological Association, some symptoms are:

• Lower back pain
• Blood in the urine (hematuria) – The most common symptom, which should not be ignored.
• Pain when urinating
• Pain in the lower abdomen
• A frequent need to urinate

Treatment Options for Bladder Cancer

Treatment may involve one or more options. The American Urological Association lists the most common treatments as:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Removal of all or part of the bladder
• Combination treatments

- Related topic: The Combination of Immunotherapy and Chemotherapy Opens a New Chapter in Bladder Cancer Treatment

Survival Rates for Bladder Cancer

Survival rates for bladder cancer vary with the stage after diagnosis and the person's general health. According to the American Cancer Society, average five-year survival rates for bladder cancer are:

• If localized, 69%
• If regionally spread, 37%
• If spread to distant sites, 6%

Skin Cancer

The Skin Cancer Foundation states that skin cancer is the most common cancer in the US. Approximately 1 in every 5 people is said to develop some form of skin cancer by age 70.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, approximately 207,000 cases of melanoma (an aggressive type of skin cancer) are diagnosed in the US each year. About 106,000 of these are non-invasive and affect only the top layer of the body. In Turkey, 1,750 people receive a melanoma diagnosis each year.

Symptoms of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer often has no obvious symptoms in its early stages. However, cancerous cells on a person's skin are visible to the eye. According to the American Cancer Society, lesions should be checked for:

• Having an irregular border
• Being asymmetrical in color or shape
• Changing over time
• Usually being smaller than other spots on the skin

Treatment Options for Skin Cancer

Skin cancer treatment often involves removing the cancer. The specific treatments used vary according to the type of cancer and its stage at diagnosis. According to the National Cancer Institute, the most common treatment options are:

• Radiation therapy
• Surgery
• Chemical peeling
• Chemotherapy
• Photodynamic therapy
• Targeted therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Other drug treatments

Survival Rates for Skin Cancer

The earlier skin cancer is diagnosed, the better the outcome generally is. The exact survival rate varies with the person's type of skin cancer. For example, according to the American Cancer Society, the average 5-year survival rate is:

• If regionally spread, 66%
• If spread to distant regions or metastasized, 27%

Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer affects part of the male reproductive system. According to the American Cancer Society, there are several types of testicular cancer depending on where it first develops in the testicle. More than 90% of all cases begin in germ cells, which are sperm-producing cells. There are two main types: seminomas and non-seminomas. Seminomas generally grow and spread more slowly; non-seminomas tend to grow and spread faster than seminomas.

Invasive testicular cancer accounts for less than 5% of all cases. In invasive testicular tumors, cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. It may also have spread to distant organs such as the liver.

According to the American Cancer Society, testicular cancer is not a common cancer. The society projects approximately 9,400 new cases and about 440 deaths in the US in 2021. In Turkey, 1,605 men were diagnosed with testicular tumors in 2020.

Symptoms of Testicular Cancer

Symptoms of invasive testicular cancer are generally very few. People usually notice a painless lump in their testicle. If the cancer grows rapidly, however, the lump may also be painful. Other symptoms include:

• Mild lower back pain
• Abdominal pain
• Chest pain or shortness of breath if the cancer has spread to the lungs
• GI problems if the cancer has spread to the gastrointestinal (GI) system

- Related topic: What Are the Symptoms of Lung Cancer Metastasis?

Treatment Options for Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer treatment varies with the individual as well as the cancer's stage. According to the American Cancer Society, common treatments are:

• Radiation
• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• High-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation

Survival Rates for Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer has a relatively high survival rate. According to the American Cancer Society, approximate 5-year survival rates are:

• If localized, 99%
• If regionally spread, 96%
• If spread to distant regions, 73%

Breast Cancer

Breast cancers often begin in the milk ducts or milk-producing lobules. Invasive breast cancer occurs when cancer spreads to other parts of the breast or surrounding tissue.

In Turkey, 24,175 new breast cancers were diagnosed in 2020

• Related topic: NOT One in Every 8 Women Has Breast Cancer!

Symptoms of Breast Cancer

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms of breast cancer include:

• Pain around the nipple
• A new painful or painless lump in the breast or armpit
• Edema or swelling of breast skin resembling orange peel
• Dimpling and irritation of breast skin
• Redness and flaking of the skin around the nipple or elsewhere
• Any change in breast shape or size
• Nipple discharge other than breast milk

Treatment Options for Breast Cancer

The treatment a person receives for breast cancer varies with its type and severity. According to the American Cancer Society, common treatment options are:

• Surgery
• Radiation
• Hormone therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• Immunotherapy

Survival Rates for Breast Cancer

Breast cancer survival rates may vary with the individual, cancer stage and type. According to the American Cancer Society, average 5-year survival rates are:

• If localized, 99%
• If regionally spread, 86%
• If spread to distant regions, 28%

When to See a Doctor

People should attend regular routine health checks even if they have not been diagnosed with cancer. These checks should include the screenings needed to look for early signs of potential cancer.

A person diagnosed with non-invasive cancer should attend more frequent follow-ups so that progression or recurrence can be checked. A person being treated for invasive cancer should decide with their doctor how often to make appointments. They should also see a doctor if they notice any side effects during treatment.

Conclusion

Invasive cancer occurs when cancer leaves the tissue where it first developed. Initially, invasive cancer locally invades healthy tissue and lymph nodes. If it cannot be treated or does not respond to treatment, the cancer may metastasize and spread to other parts of the body. Treatment, symptoms, quality of life and survival rates vary widely according to factors including the type of cancer, age, stage and general health.