| The following information was borrowed from: breastbiopsy.com |
|
Types of Breast Cancer The term "breast cancer" actually describes a variety of cancers that occur within the breast. The different breast cancer types are generally categorized by two factors - where the cancerous cells are located and whether the cancer is prone to spreading. Cancer that occurs in the milk ducts of the breast is called ductal carcinoma [DUK-tal kar-sin-OE-ma]. The cancer that forms in the lobules where breast milk is made is called lobular carcinoma [LOB-u-lar kar-sin-OE-ma]. Carcinomas that do not spread outside of the duct or lobule are called in situ [in SY-too] cancers, which mean "in place." If ductal or lobular carcinoma spreads into nearby tissue, it is said to be invasive, or infiltrating. Understanding the breast cancer type, size and spread will help you and your doctor select a treatment that is appropriate for you. Ductal carcinoma is the most common form of breast cancer. It develops in the ducts that carry the milk from the lobules (milk glands) to the nipple. Ductal carcinomas can be either in situ or invasive breast cancer. Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) In DCIS, cancer cells are present inside the milk ducts but they have not yet spread through the walls of the ducts into the fatty tissue of the breast. For this reason, nearly 100% of women diagnosed at an early stage can be cured. The best way to monitor and prevent getting DCIS is with a yearly mammogram. Left unchecked, it may develop into invasive breast cancer. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) IDC accounts for nearly 80% of breast cancers. It also begins in a milk duct, but unlike DCIS, it invades the fatty tissue of the breast. This invasive carcinoma has the potential to metastasize [meh-TAS-ti-size], or spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. It is important to detect and treat IDC before it has had time to metastasize and spread to other organs. Lobular Carcinoma Lobular carcinoma is found in the milk-producing glands of the breast. It is far less common than ductal carcinoma, but it can present itself in both breasts more often than other types of breast cancer. Lobular carcinoma can be either in situ or invasive breast cancer. Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS) Technically, LCIS is not even a cancer. Sometimes called lobular neoplasia [LOB-u-lar nee-o-play-zee-uh], it is classified as pre-cancerous growth that begins in the milk-producing glands. LCIS does not penetrate through the wall of the lobules, and most researchers believe it does not usually become an invasive breast cancer. However, women who develop LCIS have a higher future risk of developing invasive breast cancer in the same or opposite breast. If you have been treated for an LCIS, you will want to have a physical exam two or three times a year, in addition to an annual mammogram. Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC) Similar to invasive ductal carcinoma, ILC has the potential to metastasize and spread to other parts of the body. It begins in the milk-producing glands, where it extends into the fatty tissue of the breast. About 10% to 15% of breast cancers are invasive lobular carcinomas. ILC also can be more difficult to detect by mammogram than LCIS, making it important to have mammograms annually. Inflammatory Breast Cancer This rare type of invasive breast cancer accounts for about 1% of all breast cancers. Inflammatory breast cancer makes the skin of the breast look red and feel warm, as if it were infected. The skin develops a thick, pitted appearance that doctors often describe as resembling an orange peel. Sometimes the breast develops ridges and small bumps that look like hives. Cancer cells blocking lymph vessels or channels in the skin over the breast cause these symptoms. Medullary Carcinoma This special type of invasive breast cancer has a relatively well-defined boundary between the tumor tissue and normal tissue. This prevents rapid spreading of the cancer, and it often can be treated more effectively compared to other types of invasive breast cancer. Medullary carcinomas [MED-u-lair-ee kar-sin-OE-ma] account for about 5% of breast cancers. Mucinous Carcinoma Mucinous carcinoma [MYOO-sin-us kar-sin-OE-ma] is another rare type of invasive breast cancer. It is formed in the breast by mucus-producing cancer cells which spread the disease into the surrounding breast tissue. This type of breast cancer is treatable and offers a higher rate of recovery compared with other types of invasive breast cancer. Paget's Disease of the Nipple This type of breast cancer starts in the milk ducts and spreads to the skin of the nipple and areola (the dark circle around the nipple). The nipple and areola will often appear crusted, scaly and red. The patient may experience burning, itching or notice some bloody discharge from the nipple. Paget's Disease is a rare form of breast cancer, occurring in only 1% of all cases. It can be associated with in situ carcinoma as well as invasive carcinoma. If no lump can be felt in the breast tissue and the biopsy shows the growth to be in situ and not invasive, treatment for Paget's Disease is very effective. Phyllodes Tumor This rare breast tumor forms from the stroma [STROM-ah] (connective tissue) of the breast, in contrast to carcinomas which develop in the ducts or lobules. Phyllodes [FI-lodes] tumors are usually benign, but on rare occasions have been found to be malignant (cancerous with the potential to metastasize). These occurrences are extremely rare, with fewer than 10 women dying each year as a result of this breast cancer. Phyllodes tumors do not respond to hormonal therapy and are less likely to respond to other breast cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. As a result, benign phyllodes tumors are treated by removing the mass and a narrow margin of the surrounding breast tissue. Malignant phyllodes tumors are removed in the same manner with a wider margin of breast tissue, or by mastectomy. Tubular Carcinoma Tubular carcinoma [TOOB-u-lar kar-sin-OE-ma] is similar to invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and accounts for approximately 2% of all breast cancers. However, the treatment for tubular carcinoma is more effective than that of other invasive breast cancers. |
|
Breast Cancer Treatments Before you begin any treatment, your doctor will review your pathology report and discuss the available breast cancer treatments. The type of breast cancer treatment or treatments that are recommended will be based on the following factors:
• Where the tumor is found in the breast • If the tumor is invasive or in situ • If cancer is present in the lymph nodes • If cancer is found in other parts of the body Lumpectomy In a lumpectomy, the surgeon removes the breast cancer and some normal tissue around it. Often, some of the lymph nodes under the arm are removed as well. This treatment procedure is usually followed by radiation therapy to destroy any cancer cells that may remain in the area. Partial Mastectomy In a partial mastectomy [MAS-TEC-toe-mee], the surgeon removes the cancer and a larger area of normal breast tissue around it. In many cases, the lymph nodes under the arm also are removed. Occasionally, some of the lining over the chest muscles below the tumor is removed as well. This procedure is usually followed by radiation therapy to destroy any cancer cells that may remain in the area. A partial mastectomy is also referred to as segmental mastectomy or quadrantectomy. Total Mastectomy This type of surgery actually removes the breast. Some of the lymph nodes under the arm may also be removed. A total mastectomy is sometimes referred to as a simple mastectomy. Modified Radical Mastectomy In a modified radical mastectomy, the surgeon removes the breast, most of the lymph nodes under the arm and often the lining over the chest muscles. Radiation Therapy In most cases, breast surgery is followed by radiation therapy. High-energy radiation is used to kill cancer cells that may be present in the remaining breast tissue. The radiation may come from outside the body (external radiation) or from radioactive materials placed directly in the tumor (implant radiation). Chemotherapy and Hormone Therapy If cancer cells are present in the axillary lymph nodes, chemotherapy may be recommended. Chemotherapy drugs are designed to travel throughout the body and kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. For postmenopausal women who have cancer that has spread beyond the breast, hormone therapy is often recommended. Sentinel Node Biopsy Sentinel node biopsy is a technique to determine the status of the axillary lymph nodes without performing a full axillary dissection. The tumor site is injected with a radio-isotope and/or blue dye. This is tracked into the sentinel node, which is the first lymph node in the body to come in contact with cancer cells as they leave the primary tumor. The sentinel node is then removed. If there is no cancer found in the sentinel node, no further nodes may need to be removed. If breast cancer is found, then more lymph nodes will need to be removed. Minimal node removal can save a woman from a condition known as lymphedema, a painful swelling of the arm. Breast Reconstruction After a mastectomy, some women decide to have breast reconstruction. This is done either at the same time as the mastectomy or in a later surgery. It is best to consult with a plastic surgeon before the mastectomy, even if breast reconstruction will be considered at a later date. Either implants or tissue flaps can be used to rebuild the breast. Tissue flaps involve using muscle, fat and skin from another part of the body to reconstruct the breast. The tissue is shaped and inserted in the chest to form a breast.  return to Edi's main page |