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Types of Breast Cancer 

Breast cancer is not just one disease.

It is multiple diseases under one umbrella. The breast is composed of multiple tissues such as the ducts, lobules, fatty tissue, nipple, lymph nodes etc. All of these can develop cancer. The presentation, progress and treatment are different for the different types

The most common types are:

 

Ductal carcinoma:  Most common.

 

  • Forms in the cells of the milk ducts, which carry milk to the nipples.

  • Can be invasive or non-invasive (ductal carcinoma or DCIS). About one in five cases are DCIS. (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

  • Treatment is highly Successful for DCIS

 

Lobular carcinoma: Second most common.

 

  • Forms in the lobules, which are the milk-producing glands.

    • Can be invasive or non-invasive (in situ or LCIS, lobular neoplasia) 1 in 10 cases are invasive lobular cancer.

    • LCIS will rarely becomes invasive cancer.

    • However, having LCIS in one breast increases the risk of developing breast cancer in either breast.

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Inflammatory breast cancer  or IBC, is a rare, aggressive form

  • Affects the dermal lymphatic system.

  •  No lump is present. IBC tumors grow in flat sheets that cannot be felt in a breast exam.

  • Skin changes are found.

 

 Breast cancer may be of a single type or combination.  It may invasive and noninvasive (in situ) cancer or a be a mixture of the 2.

 

Recurrent  or Metastatic breast cancer

  • Cancer that has returned after being undetected for a time.

  • Location: In the remaining breast tissue or at other sites such as the lungs, liver, bones, or brain

  •  Even though these tumors are in new locations, they still are called breast cancer

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