This tumor cells in the breast divide and multiply in an uncontrolled fashion, which could spread or metastasize to other areas of the body through the bloodstream and lymphatic system (lymph nodes).
Incidence increases with age and risk factors include a family history of breast cancer, late menopause, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Initial symptoms may include a small painless lump, thick or dimpled skin, or nipple retraction.
It is one of the most common malignancies in women in the US. Breast cancer is also the second most common type of cancer after lung cancer statistically it is the fifth most common cause of cancer death.
Types of Breast Cancers
There are several types of breast cancer, however, some of them are quite rare. In some cases a single breast tumor can have a combination of these types or have a mixture of invasive and in situ cancer.
Ductal carcinoma in situ also known as intraductal carcinoma. The most common type of non-invasive breast cancer. The cancer cells are contain inside the ducts and have not spread through the surrounding breast tissue.
Lobular carcinoma in situ also called lobular neoplasia. It is sometimes classified as a non-invasive breast cancer. It begins in the milk-producing glands but does not grow through the wall of the lobules.
Invasive (or infiltrating) ductal carcinoma
Starts within a milk passage (duct) of the breast, breaks through the duct, and grows into the fatty tissue of the breast. It may be even spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system and bloodstream. About 80% invasive breast cancers are infiltrating ductal carcinomas.
Invasive (or infiltrating) lobular carcinoma
Also starts in the milk-producing glands (lobules). It can also spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. About 1% invasive breast cancers is an Invasive (or infiltrating) lobular carcinoma. Invasive lobular carcinoma may be harder to detect by a mammogram than invasive ductal carcinoma.
Less common types of breast cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer, an uncommon type of invasive breast cancer. About 1 to 3 out of 10 of all breast cancers. There is no single lump or tumor. Instead, it will makes the skin of the breast look red and feel warm. Which also gives the breast skin a thick, pitted appearance that looks similar like an orange peel.
Triple-negative breast cancer breast cancers (usually invasive ductal carcinomas) whose cells lack estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors, and do not have an excess of the HER2 protein on their surfaces. It grow and spread more quickly than most other types of breast cancer. Because the tumor cells lack these certain receptors.
Medullary carcinoma, a special type of infiltrating breast cancer. It has a rather well-defined boundary between tumor tissue and normal tissue. Its special features include the large size of the cancer cells and the presence of immune system cells at the edges of the tumor. Medullary carcinoma accounts for about 3% to 5% of breast cancers.
Mixed tumors contain a variety of cell types, such as invasive ductal cancer combined with invasive lobular breast cancer.
Metaplastic carcinoma also known as carcinoma with metaplasia. It is a very rare type of invasive ductal cancer. These tumors cells that are normally not found in the breast, such as cells that look like skin cells (squamous cells) or cells that make bone.
Paget disease of the nipple This type of breast cancer starts in the breast ducts and spreads to the skin of the nipple and then to the areola, the dark circle around the nipple. Accounting to only about 1% of all cases of breast cancer. The skin of the nipple and areola often appears crusted, scaly, and red, with areas of bleeding or oozing. The woman may notice burning or itching.
Mucinous carcinoma known as colloid carcinoma, a rare type of invasive breast cancer is formed by mucus-producing cancer cells.
Tubular carcinoma is another special type of invasive ductal breast carcinoma. They are called tubular because of the way the cells are arranged when seen under the microscope. Tubular carcinomas account for about 2% of all breast cancers.
Adenoid cystic carcinoma (adenocystic carcinoma). These cancers have both glandular (adenoid) and cylinder-like (cystic) features when seen under the microscope. They make up less than 1% of breast cancers.
Papillary carcinoma these cancers tend to be arranged in small, finger-like projections when viewed under the microscope. These tumors can be separated into non-invasive and invasive types. Make up no more than 1% or 2% of all breast cancers.
Phyllodes tumor very rare breast tumor develops in the stroma (connective tissue) of the breast, in contrast to carcinomas, which develop in the ducts or lobules. Other names for these tumors include phylloides tumor and cystosarcoma phyllodes.
Angiosarcoma a form of cancer that starts from cells that line blood vessels or lymph vessels. It rarely occurs in the breasts. When it does, it usually develops as a complication of previous radiation treatments. This is an extremely rare complication of breast radiation therapy that can develop about 5 to 10 years after radiation.
Learn What Breast Cancer is and How to Deal with It.
No comments:
Post a Comment