How Many Different Types Of Breast Cancer Are There

Other Types Of Breast Cancer

There are some other less common types of invasive breast cancer.

Invasive lobular breast cancer

About 1 in 10 invasive breast cancers start in the lobes of the breast. This type can sometimes be difficult to diagnose on a mammogrambecause of the way it grows. Some women may need an MRI scan.

Inflammatory breast cancer

This is when cancer cells grow along and block the tiny channels in the skin of the breast. The breast then becomes inflamed and swollen. Inflammatory breast cancer is rare.

Pagets disease of the breast

This is a condition that causes a red, scaly rash on the skin of the nipple. Women with Pagets disease of the breast may have DCIS or invasive breast cancer.

Special Invasive Breast Cancers And Carcinoma In Situ

Inflammatory breast cancer is an aggressive locally advanced breast cancer.

The main symptoms of IBC are swelling and redness in the breast. Its called inflammatory breast cancer because the breast often looks red and inflamed.

About 1-5 percent of breast cancers are IBC .

Learn more about IBC.

Paget disease of the breast is a rare carcinoma in situ in the skin of the nipple or in the skin closely surrounding the nipple. Its usually found with an underlying breast cancer.

About 1-4 percent of breast cancers also involve Paget disease of the breast .

Less Common Types Of Breast Cancer

• Pagets disease of the nipple usually begins in the nipple ducts and spreads to the nipple and areola, causing redness and irritation. According to breastcancer.org, 97 percent of women with Pagets disease have another form of cancer somewhere else in the breast.
• Inflammatory breast cancer is an aggressive type of breast cancer in which the breast swells and reddens it can be mistaken for less serious breast conditions like mastitis or cellulitis.
• Angiosarcoma of the breast originates in cells that line the blood or lymph vessels. It often develops after previous radiation treatment in that area, according to the American Cancer Society.

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Phyllodes Tumors Of The Breast

A phyllodes tumor is a very rare type of breast cancer that accounts for less than

75 percent of cases, phyllodes tumors arent cancerous, so they usually dont spread beyond the breast. But they can grow quickly and some can be considered borderline, which means they have properties that could make them cancerous at a later stage.

Phyllodes tumors form in the connective tissue of the breast. The most common symptoms include:

• a smooth lump in or around the breast
• a lump that grows quickly and stretches the skin
• breast skin that looks red and feels warm

What Are The Treatment Options For Breast Cancer

Below are some common treatment options to combat breast cancer:

• Lumpectomy is when the doctor removes the tumor while leaving the breast intact.
• Mastectomy is when the doctor surgically removes all the breast tissue including the tumor and connecting tissue and the lymph nodes.
• Chemotherapy is the most common cancer treatment, and it involves the use of anticancer drugs. These drugs interfere with the ability of the cells to reproduce.
• Radiation uses X-rays to treat cancer directly.
• Hormone and targeted therapy can be used when either genes or hormones play a part in the growth of cancer cells. The therapy targets a specific protein on the tumor cells.

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Certain Benign Changes In The Breast

Some changes in the breast seem to increase risk of breast cancer. They include

• Changes in the breast that required a biopsy to rule out cancer

• Conditions that change the structure, increase the number of cells, or cause lumps or other abnormalities in breast tissue, such as complex fibroadenoma Fibroadenomas of the Breast Fibroadenomas of the breast are small, smooth, solid, rounded noncancerous lumps composed of fibrous and glandular tissue. Fibroadenomas… read more , hyperplasia , atypical hyperplasia in the milk ducts or milk-producing glands, sclerosing adenosis , or papilloma

• Dense breast tissue, seen on a mammogram

Having dense breast tissue also makes it harder for doctors to identify breast cancer.

For women with such changes, the risk of breast cancer is increased only slightly unless abnormal tissue structure is detected during a biopsy or they have a family history of breast cancer.

Angiosarcoma Of The Breast

Angiosarcoma is a rare form of cancer that begins in the endothelial cells, that line the blood and lymph vessels. There are two forms of angiosarcoma of the breast:

Primary angiosarcoma: This occurs in women who have never been treated for breast cancer before.

Secondary angiosarcoma: Thisoccurs in women who have already been treated for breast cancer.

In angiosarcoma, there can be necrosis, as well as hemorrhage.

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Kinds Of Breast Cancer

The most common kinds of breast cancer are

• Invasive ductal carcinoma. The cancer cells begin in the ducts and then grow outside the ducts into other parts of the breast tissue. Invasive cancer cells can also spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body.
• Invasive lobular carcinoma. Cancer cells begin in the lobules and then spread from the lobules to the breast tissues that are close by. These invasive cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body.

Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations For Men

Screening for breast cancer in men has not been sufficiently studied to determine efficacy. A breast exam could be a useful screening tool for men with BRCA mutations or a strong family history of breast cancer. Men who are at high risk for breast cancer should discuss options with their healthcare provider.

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What Is Metaplastic Carcinoma

Also known as metaplastic breast cancer, metaplastic carcinoma is a rare type of invasive breast cancer with a unique characteristic: It contains a mix of two or more types of breast cancer cells, usually carcinoma combined with sarcoma. Metaplastic means that one form is turning into another. Various leading-edge techniques are used to analyze the exact genetics and biology of these confused cancers to find out if the tumor is more similar to carcinoma or sarcoma, since these two types of cancer have very different treatments.

How Can I Protect Myself From Breast Cancer

Follow these three steps for early detection:

• Get a mammogram. The American Cancer Society recommends having a baseline mammogram at age 35, and a screening mammogram every year after age 40. Mammograms are an important part of your health history. Recently, the US Preventive Services Task Force came out with new recommendations regarding when and how often one should have mammograms. These include starting at age 50 and having them every two years. We do not agree with this, but we are in agreement with the American Cancer Society and have not changed our guidelines, which recommend yearly mammograms starting at age 40.
• Examine your breasts each month after age 20. You will become familiar with the contours and feel of your breasts and will be more alert to changes.
• Have your breast examined by a healthcare provider at least once every three years after age 20, and every year after age 40. Clinical breast exams can detect lumps that may not be detected by mammogram.

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Breast Examination After Treatment For Breast Cancer

After surgery

The incision line may be thick, raised, red and possibly tender for several months after surgery. Remember to examine the entire incision line.

If there is redness in areas away from the scar, contact your physician. It is not unusual to experience brief discomforts and sensations in the breast or nipple area .

At first, you may not know how to interpret what you feel, but soon you will become familiar with what is now normal for you.

After breast reconstruction

Following breast reconstruction, breast examination for the reconstructed breast is done exactly the same way as for the natural breast. If an implant was used for the reconstruction, press firmly inward at the edges of the implant to feel the ribs beneath. If your own tissue was used for the reconstruction, understand that you may feel some numbness and tightness in your breast. In time, some feeling in your breasts may return.

After radiation therapy

After radiation therapy, you may notice some changes in the breast tissue. The breast may look red or sunburned and may become irritated or inflamed. Once therapy is stopped, the redness will disappear and the breast will become less inflamed or irritated. At times, the skin can become more inflamed for a few days after treatment and then gradually improve after a few weeks. The pores in the skin over the breast also may become larger than usual.

What to do

Rare Forms Of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

While invasive ductal carcinoma is generally common, below are four types of invasive ductal carcinoma that are less common:

Medullary ductal carcinoma: This type of cancer is rare and accounts for 3 percent to 5 percent of breast cancers. It is called medullary because, under a microscope, it resembles part of the brain called the medulla. Medullary carcinoma may occur at any age, but it typically affects women in their late 40s and early 50s. Medullary carcinoma is more common in women who have a BRCA1 gene mutation. Medullary tumors are often triple-negative, which means they test negative for estrogen and progesterone receptors and for the HER2 protein. Medullary tumors are less likely to involve the lymph nodes, are more responsive to treatment, and may have a better prognosis than more common types of invasive ductal cancer.

Surgery is typically the first-line treatment for medullary ductal carcinoma. A lumpectomy or mastectomy may be performed, depending on the location of the tumor. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for breast cancer may also be used.

Surgery is typically recommended to treat mucinous ductal carcinoma. A lumpectomy or mastectomy may be performed, depending on the size and location of the tumor. Adjuvant therapy, such as radiation therapy, hormonal therapy and chemotherapy, may also be required. Because most mucinous carcinomas test negative for receptors for the protein HER2, they arent typically treated with trastuzumab .

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Types Of Breast Cancer And Related Conditions

Read about the different types of breast cancer and conditions related to breast cancer.

Paget’s disease is a rare skin condition of the nipple that is associated with some breast cancers. Find out what it is and how it is diagnosed and treated.

Questions about cancer? Call freephone 9 to 5 Monday to Friday or email us

Who Gets Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women other than skin cancer. Increasing age is the most common risk factor for developing breast cancer, with 66% of breast cancer patients being diagnosed after the age of 55.

In the US, breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer, and it’s the leading cause of cancer death among women ages 35 to 54. Only 5 to 10% of breast cancers occur in women with a clearly defined genetic predisposition for the disease. The majority of breast cancer cases are “sporadic, meaning there is no definitive gene mutation.

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Stages Of Breast Cancer

When cancer is diagnosed, a stage is assigned to it, based on how advanced it is. The stage helps doctors determine the most appropriate treatment and the prognosis. Stages of breast cancer may be described generally as in situ or invasive. Stages may be described in detail and designated by a number .

Human Antimicrobial Protein Hcap18/ll

Human cathelicidin antimicrobial protein, hCAP18, and its C-terminal peptide LL-37 is a multifunctional protein. In addition to being important in antimicrobial defense, it induces chemotaxis, stimulates an giogenesis and promotes tissue repair. We previously showed that human breast cancer cells express high amounts of hCAP18, and hypothesised that hCAP18/LL-37 may be involved in tumor progression.

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What To Know About Breast Cancer Symptoms

The symptoms of breast cancer can vary widely and some types of breast cancer may not have any noticeable symptoms.

Sometimes a lump may be too small to be felt or to cause any changes to your breast or surrounding area. In these cases, cancerous cells are often first detected through screening techniques like a mammogram.

When there are symptoms, they can include:

• a lump or thickening of breast tissue that you can feel with your fingers
• breast swelling or changes to your breast size or shape
• changes to the skin on your breast, such as dimpling, redness, or skin irritation
• the nipple turning inward or nipple pain
• a lump in your underarm area
• nipple discharge other than breast milk

Its important to be familiar with how your breasts usually look and feel. This will help you notice any changes and to follow up with your healthcare professional promptly if anything looks or feels different.

Noninvasive breast cancer develops in the cells of a duct or lobule and remains in that location. Its also referred to as in situ which means in the original place.

There are two types of noninvasive breast cancer:

• ductal carcinoma in situ
• lobular carcinoma in situ

Lets take a closer look at each type.

Lobular Carcinoma In Situ

LCIS occurs when cells within the lobules of the breast are abnormal but they do not grow through the walls of the lobules. Although LCIS is not considered cancer, it increases the risk of developing breast cancer. Therefore, women with LCIS will usually have regular check-ups such as mammograms or other scans.

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Less Commonly Occurring Breast Cancer

Medullary carcinoma: Medullary carcinoma is an invasive breast cancer that forms a distinct boundary between tumor tissue and normal tissue. Only 5% of breast cancers are medullary carcinoma.

Mutinous carcinoma: Also called colloid carcinoma, mutinous carcinoma is a rare breast cancer formed by the mucus-producing cancer cells. Women with mutinous carcinoma generally have a better prognosis than women with more common types of invasive carcinoma.

Tubular carcinoma: Tubular carcinomas are a special type of infiltrating breast carcinoma. Women with tubular carcinoma generally have a better prognosis than women with more common types of invasive carcinoma. Tubular carcinomas account for around 2% of breast cancer diagnoses.

Treatment Of Locally Advanced Cancer

For breast cancers that have spread to more lymph nodes, the following may be done:

• Before surgery, drugs, usually chemotherapy, to shrink the tumor

• Breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy if the drug given before surgery makes removing the tumor possible

• After surgery, usually radiation therapy

• After surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or both

Whether radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy or other drugs are used after surgery depends on many factors, such as the following:

• How large the tumor is

• Whether menopause has occurred

• Whether the tumor has receptors for hormones

• How many lymph nodes contain cancer cells

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Understanding Your Breast Cancer Treatment Options

There are two main categories of treatments for breast cancer and other types of cancer: local treatments and systemic treatments.

• Local treatments, like surgery and radiation therapy, focus on removing or attacking the tumor directly.
• Systemic treatments, like chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, fight cancer throughout the body.

Breast cancer treatment usually consists of a combination of local and systemic treatments. Most women with breast cancer have surgery to remove a tumor. But the other treatments used largely depend on factors like:

• The unique biology of the cancer
• The cancers stage

What Does Hypoechoic Nodule Mean

Generally, a hyperechoic thyroid nodule is benign, while hypoechogenicity can lead to suspicion of a malignant lesion. The presence of vascularization also indicates that the lump is nourished by the blood vessels, so it can grow in size. This is the case of the hypoechoic vascularized thyroid nodule.

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Removal Of The Breast Without Cancer

Certain women with breast cancer have a high risk of developing breast cancer in their other breast . Doctors may suggest that these women have that breast removed before cancer develops. This procedure is called contralateral prophylactic mastectomy. This preventive surgery may be appropriate for women with any of the following:

• An inherited genetic mutation that increases the risk of developing breast cancer

• At least two close, usually first-degree relatives who have had breast or ovarian cancer

• Radiation therapy directed at the chest when women were under 30 years old

• Lobular carcinoma in situ

In women with lobular carcinoma in situ in one breast, invasive cancer is equally likely to develop in either breast. Thus, the only way to eliminate the risk of breast cancer for these women is to remove both breasts. Some women, particularly those who are at high risk of developing invasive breast cancer, choose this option.

Advantages of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy include the following:

• Longer survival for women with breast cancer and a genetic mutation that increases risk and possibly for women who are under 50 years old when they are diagnosed with breast cancer

• For some women, decreased anxiety

Disadvantages of this procedure include the following:

• Twice the risk of complications

Instead of having a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy, some women may choose to have their doctor monitor the breast closely for cancerfor example with imaging tests.