Early detection saves lives!
The different types of breast cancer The term “breast cancer” does not describe a single type of cancer, but rather several forms of a disease that can develop in areas of the breast. The American Cancer Society says breast cancer type is determined by the specific cells in the breast that become cancerous. There are many different types of breast cancer, and the medical community’s understanding of the disease is based on decades of research and millions of patients treated. In 2001, Dr. Charles Perou first classified breast cancer into subtypes based on genomic patterns. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation says breast cancer is broadly divided into two types: non-invasive
breast cancers and invasive breast cancers. Non-invasive breast cancers are called Stage 0 breast cancers or carcinomas in situ. These are thought to be the precursors to breast cancer, says the BCRF. While non-invasive breast cancers are not initially life-threatening, if left untreated, they can develop into invasive breast cancers, which can be fatal. Here is a look at some of the different types of breast cancer. • Invasive ductal carcinoma: This is the most common type of breast cancer, advises the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.®. Invasive ductal carcinoma accounts for 70 to 80 percent of all
breast cancer diagnoses
more commonly grow in
says Breast Cancer Now,
treatments like hormone
in women and men. This
lines in the breast rather
a research and support
therapy and drugs that
cancer forms in the milk
than in lumps, so they
charity.
target these receptors are
ducts and spreads beyond.
present differently on a
• Invasive lobular
mammogram.
• Tripe-negative breast
ineffective. Chemotherapy
cancer: The NBCF says a
is still an option.
carcinoma: This is the
• Inflammatory breast
diagnosis of triple-negative
• Metastatic breast
second most common
cancer: Inflammatory
breast cancer means the
cancer: This type of
type of breast cancer,
breast cancer is a rare,
three most common types
breast cancer is also
accounting for 10 to 15
fast-growing type of breast
of receptors known to
known as Stage IV breast
percent of diagnoses,
cancer. The inflammatory
cause most breast cancer
cancer. Metastatic breast
says the BCRF. Invasive
name comes from the
growths are not present in
cancer originates in an
lobular carcinoma
appearance of the skin of
the cancer tumor. These
area of the breast, but
originates in the milk-
the breast. It looks red and
receptors are estrogen,
spreads (metastasizes) to
producing glands of the
inflamed, which is caused
progesterone and the
another part of the body,
breast known as lobules.
by breast cancer cells
HER2/neu gene. Since the
most commonly the bones,
Tumors that form due to
blocking lymph channels
tumor cells lack necessary
lungs, brain, or liver,
invasive lobular carcinoma
in the breast and skin,
receptors, certain
indicates BreastCancer.org.