Introduction

Types of Breast Cancer

There are two major types of breast cancer: noninvasive (in situ) and invasive (spreading).

• Noninvasive Breast Cancer (in situ)

  • Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) also called intraductal carcinoma - It is often now referred to as ductal intraepithelial neoplasia to emphasize its non-life threatening nature.

    • confined to the ducts
    • best diagnosed by a mammogram
    • nearly 100% cure rate

  • Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) and Atypical lobular hyperplasia

    • not a true cancer, but increases the risk for cancer developing later

• Invasive (spreading) Breast Cancer - Stromal invasion and metastasis to regional lymph nodes or distant organs are the hallmarks of fully developed breast carcinomas.

  • Infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC)

    • starts in the duct and invades the fatty tissue of the breast and other parts of the body
    • most common type of breast cancer (nearly 80% of cases)

  • Infiltrating lobular carcinoma (ILC)

    • starts in the lobules and can spread to other parts of the body
    • accounts for 10-15% of breast cancers