Defining the types of breast cancer will help in your quest for knowledge on this subject.
Whether to help you clarify what the doctors are telling you. Or if you are gathering information for a friend. Today I will clarify types of breast cancer to help you make decisions concerning your health.
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)
This diagnosis is given when abnormal cells have been found in the milk ducts. It is considered is pre-cancer. DCIS is non-invasive because it has not spread outside of the milk ducts. .
Invasive Ductile Carcinoma (IDC)
This is when the abnormal cells spread beyond the milk ducts and into the surrounding breast tissue. This is the most common diagnosis. If not detected early, it could spread to other parts in your body..
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC)
Milk-producing glands are known as lobules. This is diagnosed when the lobular glands show a presence of aggressive cancerous cells breaking that barrier and spreading to other parts of the body. According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 10 invasive breast cancers is ILC.
Triple Negative Breast Cancer
This is diagnosed when this cancer cells tests negative to common receptors. These receptors are human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), estrogen receptors (ER), and progesterone receptors (PR). This aggressive cancer does not respond to hormonal therapies used to treat breast cancer. Instead, other traditional therapies are used, like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies are used. Around 12% of all invasive breast cancers are triple-negative as cited by Breastcancer.org.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, IBC occurrence is 1%. It is a rare and aggressive cancer. IBC is hard to detect on a mammogram because it doesn’t cause a lump or tumor. Detection relies on diagnosing symptoms.
Metastatic Breast Cancer
Also known as stage IV breast cancer. This is an invasive cancer that can move (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Common locations are lungs, brain, liver, and bones. The cancerous cells can resurface months to years after your first treatment.
Male Breast Cancer
A rare occurrence. Few than 1% of all breast cancer diagnosed is a male sufferer.
Paget’s Disease of the Breasts
A rare form of breast cancer. This cancer starts in the breast ducts and spreads to the nipple, then to the dark circle around the nipple (areola).