Types of breast cancer
There are many different types of breast cancer. They are determined by the particular cells that are affected in different parts of the breasts. The doctors needs to determine two things before any specific diagnosis of the disease that is –
- whether the disease has spread beyond breasts or not.
- The tissue where it all began first.
Broadly breast cancers are divided into two, namely:
- Non Invasive
- Invasive
Non-invasive breast cancer
Non-invasive breast cancers occurs in milk duct or lobules (milk-producing glands) in the breast. They are contained at one place and do not spread out other parts. They are also known as carcinoma in situ.
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
DCIS is a cancer that starts in milk duct and does not grow into rest of the breast tissue. Hence, it is not deadly but has a risk of developing into a invasive cancer at later stage.
Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
LCIS is a cancer that grows in lobules (milk-producing ducts) and does not spread to other breast tissues. Hence, it is not deadly but possess danger of developing invasive cancer in future.
Invasive breast cancer
This type of cancer spreads outside the duct or lobules of the breast affecting surrounding tissues.
Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC)
IDC is the most common type of breast cancer constituting almost 80% of all the cases. The meaning is simple that the cancer which started from the milk ducts has spread out and affected the surrounding breast tissue. It has the potential to spread to lymph nodes and later to the other parts of the body. Therefore, early detection is of prime importance.
Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC)
It is the second most common breast cancer after IDC. ILC means that the cancer which originated from the lobules of the breast spread past surrounding breast tissues. Over time it can spread to lymph nodes and to other parts of the body.
The US breastcancer.org has more detailed information regarding different kinds of breast cancer.
Paget’s disease of the nipple
It is a rare type of breast cancer and it accounts for only 1% of all the recorded cases. It starts affecting the nipple, you will notice some changes on the skin of nipple or areola (the dark circle around the nipple) . Changes include skin being scaly, red, itchy and irritated. The cells which initiates these changes are known as Paget’s cell. Individual having this disease may also have either DCIS or LCIS breast cancer.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)
IBC starts with swelling and reddening of breasts, no lumps here. It is a rare type of cancer, almost 1% of cases all over the globe. IBC spreads rapidly with symptoms worsening within days or even hours. Prompt treatment and the right advance diagnosis, however, is key in controlling the disease. Like the other kinds of breast cancer IBC also affects men.
Phyllodes tumors of the breast
Phyllodes means “leaf-like” and is a rare disease (less than 1% affected). The culprit cancerous cell grows in a leaf-like pattern. These cells are known as Phylloides. They rarely spread out of the breast but tend to grow at a fast pace. The phyllodes cells are found as benign, malignant and on border-line. Surgery is used to terminate the growth of the cells. The cells can occur at any age and a very rare in case of men.
Metastatic breast cancer
It is known as the stage IV cancer which means that the cancerous cells have escaped the breasts and have affected other organs like liver, lungs or brain. Getting diagnosed with this disease may send shivers down the spine but fortunately advanced medical technology are here to save the deal. Chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, hormonal and targeted therapy are some examples of the diagnosis that are advised by the oncologists. To know more about metastatic breast cancer click here.