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DIAGNOSIS > Types of breast cancer
TYPES OF BREAST CANCER
Not all breast cancers are the same: there are many different types of breast cancer. When there is a diagnosis of breast cancer, it is important to determine the type of breast cancer that is present. Knowing the type helps you and your health care team to select the best treatment options for your condition.
Non-invasive or in situ breast cancer
Non-invasive breast cancer refers to cancer that remains within the milk ducts or lobules of the breast. A woman’s breasts contain sacs (called lobules) that are connected by thin tubes (called ducts). These are parts of the breast that make and secrete milk during breastfeeding.
The two types of non-invasive breast cancer are ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). DCIS can cause a lump in the breast or may be diagnosed by mammography. The treatment for DCIS is usually a lumpectomy, sometimes followed by radiation therapy.
LCIS is thought to indicate an increased risk of future invasive cancer. LCIS rarely causes a lump or mammographic changes. It is usually identified during investigation of other breast change. LCIS on its own may not require treatment, but patients are usually followed closely with regular clinical breast examinations and mammography of both breasts.
LCIS and DCIS are both associated with a higher risk of developing other types of breast cancer that can invade neighbouring tissue and spread.
Invasive breast cancer
Invasive breast cancer refers to cancer that may grow and invade neighbouring tissue and possibly spread to other parts of the body. Invasive cancer may also be referred to as infiltrating carcinoma.
The most common type of invasive breast cancer is invasive ductal carcinoma. This is sometimes referred to as invasive ductal carcinoma of no special type (NST) or invasive breast cancer not otherwise specified (NOS). Other types of invasive breast cancer include invasive lobular carcinoma, invasive mucinous carcinoma, tubular carcinoma, medullary carcinoma and invasive micropapillary carcinoma.
Inflammatory breast cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a relatively uncommon type of breast cancer: only 1-4% of breast cancer cases are IBC. Symptoms include redness and swelling of the breasts, skin that feels warm to the touch, an orange-like skin texture called peau d’orange, a change in the appearance of the nipple, and breast pain.
Inflammatory breast cancer can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to those of a breast infection. The symptoms of IBC are not what people typically associate with breast cancer, which is another reason to report any breast changes to a doctor.
Paget's disease of the nipple
Paget’s disease is another less common type of breast cancer, accounting for only 1% of breast cancer cases. Symptoms include persistent itchiness and scaling of the nipple that gets worse over time, leading to weeping, crusting, and nipple pain. Paget’s is often found on only one nipple. Many people with Paget’s disease of the nipple also have another form of breast cancer somewhere else in the same breast.
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