Breast Cancer Types

Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer among women in the United States. Breast cancer can be a very curable disease, especially if it is detected at its earliest stages. When cancer forms in the breast, it usually grows in the milk ducts and lobules (the glands that make milk). Cancer of the breast damages surrounding tissue and interferes with the normal function of the breast. Even when breast cancer cells spread to other parts of the body, it is still called breast cancer. Here's a list of the most common types of breast cancer:

Invasive ductal carinoma (IDC) - This is the most common type of breast cancer as some 70-80% of all breast cancer is IDC. IDC begins in a duct in the breast and breaks through into the surrounding fatty tissue of the breast. From here IDC can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) - DCIS is a pre-cancerous condition in which abnormal cells are confined to the milk ducts in the breast. These tumors show no evidence of microscopic invasion to the surrounding breast tissues. DCIS is usually found as microscopic calcifications on a mammogram. Since DCIS is a pre-cancerous condition, it can become an invasive cancer if left untreated. This is the most common type of breast cancer.

Lobular carcinoma - Cancer that begins in the lobes or lobules of the breast is called lobular carcinoma and is more often found in both breasts than are other types of breast cancer.

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) - Only about 1 percent of all women diagnosed with breast cancer have inflammatory breast cancer. This rare cancer is very aggressive and progresses rapidly leaving the breast red, swollen, and warm to the touch. The surface of the breast may look pitted like the skin of an orange, as the cancer cells block lymph vessels in the skin.

Many women suspect they have an infection, because the symptoms are similar to inflammatory breast cancer. Most infections will respond to antibiotics while inflammatory breast cancer will not. In addition, women with inflammatory breast cancer may notice swollen lymph nodes, a change in the size or shape of their breasts, or nipple discharge.

IBC occurs more frequently in African Americans and at a younger age than in Causcasians. It too can occur in men, usually at an older age.

Breast Calcifications - Calcifications are deposits of calcium in the breast tissue. They can be seen on a mammogram, but not detected by touch. Some calcifications are not harmful, but a cluster of microcalcifications may be a sign of cancer.

Childhood Breast Cancer - Most breast tumors during childhood are benign fibroadenomas that can be watched for change without having a biopsy. In rare cases, breast tumors will become malignant and grow suddenly and quickly. These are called phyllodes tumors, and require biopsy or surgery to remove them. Other types of breast cancer have been reported in both males and females younger than age 21. Children treated for another cancer with radiation therapy are at an increased lifetime risk for breast cancer.