My Breakthrough
Types of primary breast cancer
Primary breast cancer refers to cancer that has not spread beyond the breast. This can be described as non-invasive or invasive and the different types are outlined below.
Non-invasive cancer
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
DCIS is one of the earliest changes in the breast that can be identified as cancer. Some specialists refer to it as a pre-cancerous condition. Before screening using mammograms, DCIS was rarely found because it can't normally be felt as a lump and there are often no symptoms.It shows up on a mammogram as small, white specks of calcium (see 'calcifications'). However it is important to realise that most calcifications are not cancer.
DCIS is non-invasive, which means that it has not spread within the breast or outside it, and is confined to the breast duct. However, if DCIS is left untreated over a number of years, in some cases it may spread beyond the ducts (in other words it may have 'become invasive').
DCIS can also be called 'pre-invasive' or 'intra-ductal' (ie it has remained within the ducts). DCIS itself describes a family of breast cancers within the breast duct. You may hear additional terms - such as 'solid', 'cribiform' or 'papillary' - that describe the appearance of this cancer.
DCIS is the most common form of non-invasive breast cancer diagnosed.
Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
LCIS is far less common than DCIS. It is similar in that it too is one of the earliest changes in the breast that can be identified as cancer and is also sometimes described as pre-cancerous.LCIS is non-invasive, which means the cancer hasn't spread, either within the breast or outside it, and is confined to the lobules.
Invasive cancers
Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC)
This is the most common form of invasive breast cancer, accounting for around 85 per cent of all cases. The cancer cells develop in the milk ducts of the breast and are able to penetrate the duct wall and surrounding fatty tissue. This form of breast cancer can also spread to other parts of the body.IDC can also be called 'infiltrating'.
Invasive lobular carcinoma
This form of breast cancer is uncommon, affecting around 15 per cent of all women with the disease. It starts in the milk glands of the breast, and can also spread to other parts of the body.Invasive lobular carcinoma is sometimes found in both breasts at once and as it is not generally found as a hard lump, the tumour can sometimes be larger when detected.
Inflammatory breast cancer
This form of breast cancer is quite rare, affecting only around one per cent of women with the disease. In this cancer, the cancer cells may not grow as a lump but may instead grow in a sheet, blocking the lymph vessels in the skin of the breast.This can cause the breast to look inflamed and become warm, red and swollen. The skin may look ridged, or pitted like orange peel (hence the term 'peau d'orange'). Other more general signs include a lump or thickening in the breast, a pain in the breast or nipple or fluid discharge from the nipple.
These symptoms can appear over a short space of time, and cells are able to spread quickly to other parts of the body. Unlike most types of breast cancer where surgery is usually the first treatment option, chemotherapy or hormonal therapy are usually offered before surgery for this type of breast cancer.
You can find more information on general treatment options in the treatment section of this site.
Paget's Disease
Paget's disease is a rare form of breast cancer affecting the nipple. Overall it accounts for about 1% of female breast cancer. It is characterised by a red scaly rash on the nipple itself, which may spread to the areola (the darker area around the nipple). In 90% of cases where this eczema-like rash is seen, it indicates an underlying cancer in the breast ducts.The skin of the nipple may appear crusted, scaly, red, itchy, bloody or ulcerated and a burning sensation may be felt. A lump may also be detected in about half of all cases. If there is no lump, the prognosis for this type of cancer is better.
This type of cancer can be confused with skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis, making it difficult to diagnose. However the key characteristic here is that the rash usually affects the nipple first and does not go away.
Also within "Diagnosis"
