Types Of Breast Cancer

seem to fear breast cancer more than any othercancer.
life threatening disease. Research shows womenLobular carcinomas in situ are abnormal cells
are more likely to die from cardiovascular diseasecontained within a lobule of the breast that have
than from all forms of cancer combined. Breastnot invaded the surrounding breast tissue. It has
cancer is rare in men, although it does occur.not yet been determined if lobular carcinoma in
If you are one that fears breast cancer, there issitu is an early form of breast cancer or just a
more reason for optimism today than evermarker for the future development of cancer.
before. Doctors have made great progress inExperts agree if you have lobular carcinoma in situ
diagnosing and treating breast cancer in the lastyou are at a higher risk of developing breast
30 years.cancer in either breast in the future.
Radical mastectomy is rarely performed today.Invasive breast cancers break free of where
There are more and better treatment options.they originate and invade the surrounding tissues
This article addresses the different types ofthat support the ducts and lobules of the breast.
breast cancer.The cancer cells can also travel to other parts of
Breast cancer type is determined from a tissuethe body such as the lymph nodes.
sample (biopsy) sent to the lab for analysis. TheInvasive ductal carcinoma accounts for the
treatment for breast cancer depends upon whatmajority of invasive breast cancers.
type it is.Invasive lobular carcinoma is less common than
The breast’s milk ducts is where theinvasive ductal carcinoma, but acts in a similar
most common types of breast cancer originate.manner. It starts in the milk-producing lobule and
The actual point in origin is determined by theinvades the surrounding breast tissue, and can
microscopic appearance of the cancer cells fromspread to more parts of the body. You might not
a biopsy.be able to detect a breast lump with invasive
When breast cancer cells remain contained withinlobular carcinoma. There may be a general
their place of origin the cancer is called situ breastthickening or sensation in the breast tissue that
cancer. In situ breast cancer the cancer cells havefeels different. Invasive lobular carcinoma is harder
not invaded breast tissue around the duct orto find by touch and less likely to appear on a
lobule.mammogram.
Ductal carcinoma in situ is abnormal cells in theSource: Mayo Clinic, personal knowledge
lining of a milk duct that have not invaded theDisclaimer: The information in this article is not
surrounding breast tissue. In this early-stageintended to replace the medical advice of your
breast cancer some experts consider it to be adoctor or health care provider. Please consult your
“precancerous” condition. Successhealth care provider for advice about specific
of treatment during this stage is high. No evidencemedical concerns.
suggests that ductal carcinoma in situ affects aThis article is FREE to publish with the resource
woman’s life span. If left untreated, itbox. Article written 2-2007.
may eventually develop into invasive breast