Types of Breast Cancer

Coming into breast cancer awareness month we here at the Surgery Group of Los Angeles would like to key you in on the different types of breast cancer you may face:

Early Stage Cancers

Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) is a noninvasive form of breast cancer. DCIS occurs when abnormal cells begin to form and multiply around the breast’s milk duct. 

Region: Milk Duct

Non-invasive

Highly treatable at early stages

Potential symptoms:

• Usually, no symptoms but can include:
  • A breast lump
  • Bloody nipple discharge

Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS) is very similar to DCIS but the abnormal cells begin to form and multiply in lobules or milk glands of the breast. 

Region: Lobular (aka Milk glands)

Noninvasive but can spread to both breasts

Highly treatable at early stages

Potential symptoms:

• Usually, no symptoms but can include:
  • A breast lump
  • Bloody nipple discharge

Triple Negative Breast Cancer is a form of cancer tumor that does not contain the three most common receptors hormones – breast cancer growth estrogen, progesterone, and Her 2/Neu Gene. 

Because of this TNBC does not respond to common triple hormone therapy.

Region: Varies

Makes up 10 – 15% of cases

Chemotherapy may be the preferred treatment

Breast Cancer during Pregnancy, while not a unique form of cancer, pregnancy brings serious complications to any breast cancer case. 

The traumatic implications this creates might make soon-to-be mothers lose hope, but doctors are working every day to ensure that any treatment plan for pregnant women will also ensure the protection of the unborn child.

Invasive forms of Breast Cancer

Medullary Carcinoma is a rare type of breast ductal cancer but it is very invasive, leading to 3-5 percent of breast cancer cases. Despite its aggressive characteristics, Medullary Carcinoma is less likely to affect the lymph nodes and has a better prognosis than other invasive cancer.

Region: Breast Ducts

Invasive

Likely to require surgery and radiation

Potential symptoms:

• Can cause breast tissue to feel spongey

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) happens when abnormal cells that have formed about the breast ducts begin to aggressively grow beyond the ducts into other parts of breast tissue.

Region: Starts in the breast ducts but can move into other areas of the breast, and even beyond the breast

Makes up 70 – 80% of breast cancer cases

Most common breast cancer for men

Inflammatory Breast Cancer is an especially fast and aggressive breast cancer that affects the skin and lymph nodes of the breast. Symptoms are often unusual compared to other breast cancers.

Region: Skin and Lymph nodes of breast

IBC require urgent treatment, usually with chemotherapy and surgery.

Potential Symptoms:

• Constant itching and rashes
• Small irritations similar to bug bites
• Skin changes like orange indentations
• Nipple changes

Metastatic Breast Cancer, also known as Stage 4 breast cancer, means that cancer has spread into other parts of the body including the liver, lungs, bones, and brain.

Depending on the regions that cancer has traveled to symptoms will vary greatly. However metastatic cancer usually causes great pain and weakness in the area it has spread.

You are not alone. There are many different types of breast cancer, and each one has its own story. A cancer diagnosis can be a traumatic and stressful time, but doctors are here to help, if you have any questions about breast cancer and potential symptoms, speak to a doctor right away.