Cancer Stories

Types of Breast Cancer

January 25th, 2006

Breast Cancer
Types of Breast Cancer
There are several types of breast cancer. The aggressiveness of the cancer and the likelihood that the cancerous cells will spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body depends on the type of cancer involved.

Breast Cancers
Common Breast Cancers
The most common types of breast cancer are: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). A cancer that is contained, and thus does not yet have the ability to spread beyond the immediate area, is said to be in situ . Ductal cancer in situ (DCIS) is confined to the ducts of the milk-producing glands and has not invaded the surrounding tissues of the breast, although, if neglected, it might eventually do so. For the time being, however, it doesn’t have access to the blood vessels or lymphatic channels that exist in the fatty tissue outside the glands, and it cannot spread to other organs in the body. DCIS is a breast cancer at its earliest stage (Stage 0), still confined to the ducts. Nearly 100% of women with cancer at this stage can be cured. In screening centers, 20–30% of the new breast cancers diagnosed are DCIS and 70–80% are invasive. On a mammogram, DCIS in the majority of patients looks like a cluster of calcifications (tiny white spots or little grains of sand) without a mass. In about 15% of patients, there’s also a lump, and in the remaining 10% of women, a mass is found without calcifications. Invasive (infiltrating) ductal carcinoma (IDC). This is the most common form of breast cancer —70–80% of invasive breast carcinomas are IDC. This cancer begins in a duct, breaks through the duct wall, and invades the fatty tissue of the breast. From there it can spread to other parts of the body via the lymphatic channels or bloodstream. Invasive (infiltrating) lobular carcinoma. Between 10–15% of invasive breast cancers are this type. The cancer cells have grown through the wall of the lobule and can spread to other parts of the body by way of the lymphatic channels or bloodstream.


Breast Cancers
Less Common Breast Cancers
There are several less common forms of breast cancer. Medullary carcinoma. This invasive cancer is the pink color of brain tissue (the medulla) and has a relatively well defined, distinct boundary between tumor and normal breast tissue. About 6% of all breast cancers are of this type, and its prognosis is better than for invasive lobular or invasive ductal carcinomas. It can exhibit different degrees of aggressiveness. Tubular carcinoma. This accounts for 1–2% of breast cancers, and its cells look like little tubes (hence the name). It is an invasive cancer but it spreads beyond the breast only infrequently, and therefore has a better prognosis than invasive ductal or lobular carcinomas. Colloid or mucinous carcinoma. Also rare, this is an infiltrating ductal cancer that is formed by mucus-producing cancer cells. Papillary carcinoma. Extremely rare, the cells of this particular breast cancer stick out like little papules, or finger-like projections. This form of cancer can be either invasive or noninvasive. Inflammatory breast cancer. This advanced form of breast cancer starts with breast swelling and skin that looks red and feels warm. Usually there’s not a distinct lump, and the first impression is that of infection. Infections either get better or worse, so if the inflammation doesn’t clear up or gets worse after 10 days to two weeks of antibiotics, you should see a breast surgeon, who will probably order a mammogram and then perform a biopsy of the skin. This is an unusual type of breast cancer, and it’s an aggressive one. The skin is red because cancer cells are congesting the lymphatic channels, thus blocking fluid drainage from the lymph vessels of the skin.

Entry Filed under: Survival Stories