Types of Breast cancer

The most common types of breast cancer originate in either breast's milk ducts (ductal carcinoma) or lobules (lobular carcinoma).

In situ breast cancer
In situ breast cancer refers to a type of cancer in which the breast cancer haven't invaded breast tissue around the duct or lobule.

  • Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). abnormal cells in the lining of a milk duct . This is early-stage breast cancer.
  • Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). abnormal cells are contained within a lobule of breast.

Invasive breast cancer
Invasive (infiltrating) breast cancers are those that break free of where they originate, invading the surrounding tissues that support the ducts and lobules of your breast. The cancer cells can travel to other parts of your body, such as the lymph nodes.

  • Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). IDC accounts for the majority of invasive breast cancers (78%). If you have IDC, cancer cells form in the lining of milk duct, break free of the ductal wall and invade surrounding breast tissue. The cancer cells may remain localized — staying near the site of origin — or they can spread (metastasize) even farther throughout your body, carried by your bloodstream or lymphatic system.
  • Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). Although less common than IDC (5%), this type of breast cancer acts in a similar manner. ILC starts in the milk-producing lobule and invades the surrounding breast tissue. It can also spread to more distant parts of your body. With ILC, one might not be able to detect a breast lump. One may perceive only a general thickening — or a sensation that your breast tissue feels different. ILC can be harder to detect by touch, and it's also less likely to appear on a mammogram.

Other types of breast cancer

  • Inflammatory breast cancer. This is a rare (1-3%) but aggressive type of breast cancer. The skin on breast becomes red and swollen and may take on a thickened, pitted appearance — similar to an orange peel, giving breast appearance of infection. This results from tumour cells blocking lymph vessels located near the surface of breast.
  • Medullary carcinoma. This is a specific type of invasive breast cancer (5%) in which well defined boundary between tumor and normal tissue; large cancer cells and presence of immune cells along the boundary of the tumor; 90% estrogen and progesterone receptor negative. It has best prognosis among invasive breast cancers.
  • Mucinous (colloid) carcinoma. In this type of invasive breast cancer (1-2%), the cancer cells produce mucus and grow into a jelly-like tumor. The prognosis for mucinous carcinoma is better from others.
  • Paget's disease of the breast. This rare type of breast cancer affects the nipple and the dark area of skin surrounding nipple (areola). It starts in a milk duct, as either an in situ or invasive cancer. If associated with carcinoma in situ, the prognosis is very good.
  • Tubular carcinoma. This rare type of breast cancer gets its name from the appearance of the cancer cells under a microscope. Though it's an invasive breast cancer, the outlook is more favorable than it is for invasive ductal carcinoma or invasive lobular carcinoma.
  • Phylloides tumor. A large, bulky tumor appear as an indication of a phylloides tumor. Phylloides tumors develop in the connective tissue of the breast. The outlook for a phylloides tumor is uncertain. If the tumor can't be removed, it's difficult to treat.
  • Metaplastic carcinoma. Metaplastic carcinoma represents less than 1 percent of all diagnosed breast cancers. This lesion tends to remain localized and contains several different types of cells that are not typically seen in other forms of breast cancer. Prognosis and treatment is the same as for invasive ductal carcinoma.
  • Sarcoma. A sarcoma is a tumor that develops in the connective tissue of the breast. This type of tumor is usually cancerous (malignant).
  • Micropapillary carcinoma. This invasive type of breast cancer tends to be relatively aggressive, often spreading to the lymph nodes even when very small.
  • Adenoid cystic carcinoma. This type of breast cancer is characterized by a large, local tumor. It's an invasive but slow-growing type of breast cancer that's unlikely to spread.
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