Types of Breast Cancer

Type of Cancer Determines Breast Cancer Treatment

Sep 17, 2009

Breast cancer treatment depends on what type of breast cancer a patient has. It is important to understand the difference between the various types.

Breast cancer is an umbrella term for many different types of cancer, both invasive and non-invasive, that occur in the breast. For someone that has been diagnosed with breast cancer, it is important to understand the type of breast cancer they have in order to treat it most effectively.

Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

Ductal carcinoma in situ is a non-invasive form of breast cancer that produces a growth within the breast's milk ducts. Some women with DCIS may develop a lump and have nipple discharge, but most women have no symptoms. It is usually found through a routine mammogram and confirmed with a biopsy. In most cases, DCIS is treated with a lumpectomy (removal of a portion of the breast) or mastectomy (removal of the breast). In some cases, breast radiation therapy may be performed.

Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma

Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer. It accounts for about 80 percent of all breast cancers. IDC starts in the milk ducts, then invades the surrounding tissue. Symptoms of IDC include swelling, pain, nipple discharge, redness and lumps. It is usually treated with surgery and radiation. Chemotherapy may be used to kill any remaining cancer cells left in the body.

Infiltrating Lobular Carcinoma

Infiltrating Lobular Carcinoma is an invasive form of cancer that begins in the milk ducts and spreads to the surrounding area. Symptoms of ILC are a thickening of the breast, swelling, nipple changes, and a change in the texture and appearance of the breast. ILC can only be diagnosed with a biopsy. The disease is treated with surgery and may be followed with radiation, chemotherapy and hormone therapy.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare form of breast cancer that doesn't produce a lump. Inflammatory cancer cells grow in the skin and lymph nodes. The breast often becomes red, swollen and inflamed. Lymph nodes may also become swollen. Because there is no detectable mass, inflammatory breast cancer can be difficult to diagnose by mammogram. Chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and hormonal therapy may all be used to treat inflammatory breast cancer. IBC is an aggressive disease and may require more intensive treatment than other types of cancer. Due to the nature of the disease, IBC is more likely to metastasize before it is diagnosed. According to the National Cancer Institute, the 5 year survival rate for patients with IBC is between 25 and 50 percent.

Medullary Carcinoma

Medullary carcinoma is a very rare, invasive form of breast cancer. It is a sub-type of invasive ductal carcinoma that produces a soft, fleshy tumor. Medullary carcinoma cells are slow growing and usually don't spread. Medullary carcinoma many only require surgery to treat it, but some doctors prefer to follow it up with chemotherapy or radiation.

Mucinous Carcinoma (Colloid)

Mucinous carcinoma of the breast is a rare form of invasive cancer. With mucinous carcinoma, mucus surrounds the breast cancer cells. This type of cancer is one of the easiest to treat. A doctor may use a lumpectomy or mastectomy to remove the tumor. Hormone therapy also works well as a treatment for this type of cancer.

Tubular Carcinoma

Tubular carcinoma is a rare form of infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Tubular carcinoma gets its name from the tube-shaped cells that make up this type of tumor. These cells grow slowly and may appear healthy. TC produces a small, hard lump in the breast that may be felt with a physical examination. A biopsy of the tumor must be performed to accurately diagnose TC. It is treated with traditional cancer therapies like a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. How TC is treated depends on the size of the tumor.

Paget's Disease

Paget's disease is a rare form of cancer in the nipple that occurs almost exclusively in women. Most patients with Paget's disease also have ductal carcinoma in situ. Early symptoms of Paget's disease include redness, itching and scaling of the breast. As the disease progresses, there may be pain and discharge. In about half of the cases, a lump forms. Paget's disease usually requires surgery as a treatment. Chemotherapy or hormone therapy is usually recommended after the surgery to prevent a recurrence.

Every woman should perform monthly self breast exams so that cancer can be caught while it is in the early stages. Breast cancer treatment options should be discussed with a doctor as soon as possible after being diagnosed, so that it may be treated most effectively.

The copyright of the article Types of Breast Cancer in Breast Health is owned by Karel Kinnett. Permission to republish Types of Breast Cancer in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.