Kinds Of Breast Cancer
There are several kinds of breast cancer that have been diagnosed in patients. However, only few occur frequently. Below are some of the most common ones.
Intraductal carcinoma
Intraductal carcinoma also referred to as Ductal carcinoma is the most widely recognized of all kinds of breast cancer. In this type, the cancer cells are still within the duct but have not entered the duct walls of the breast tissues. About 20% of all kinds of breast cancer are cases of Intraductal carcinoma.
The most effective way to detect this kind of cancer at the early stage is through a mammogram. Normally during the diagnosis of intraductal carcinoma (also called DCIS), the pathologist will be looking for tumor necrosis (dying or dead cancer cells). The tumor will more likely be aggressive if there is a necrosis. Comedocarcinoma is a term usually used to describe the presence of a large necrosis in the duct.
Infiltrating ductal carcinoma
This is one of the most popular kinds of breast cancers. It begins at the milk duct and extends beyond the duct walls before growing into a fatty tissue in the breast. This is when it can extend to other areas of the body through the bloodstream and the lymphatic system. This breast cancer is equally among the most deadly of all kinds of breast cancers.
Infiltrating or invasive lobular carcinoma
The infiltrating lobular carcinoma begins at the lobules (the glands responsible for producing milk) and can spread to other areas of the body just like the Invasive ductal carcinoma. However, it is more difficult to detect using a mammogram than the IDC.
Inflammatory breast cancers: These kinds of breast cancer occur in every 2 of every 100 cases of breast cancer. They are very rare and do not have tumor or lump. Its major effect is the appearance of red pigments on the skin of the breast. This may make the affected breast itchy, tender, or firmer. The early stage of these kinds of cancer is usually mistaken for mastitis and treated with antibiotics. These antibiotics will not have any positive effect if the symptom is as a result of cancer. It is always difficult to be detected by a mammogram because of the absence of a lump. These kinds of breast cancer spread rapidly and can make the skin on the breast appear uncomfortable.
Triple-negative breast cancer: This kind of breast cancer spreads rapidly than all other kinds of breast cancer. The cells of this cancer usually lack progesterone receptors and estrogen receptors, and have HER2 protein in excess supply.
This type of cancer is more common among women with African descent. HER2 targeting drugs or hormone therapies are not effective in treating these types of breast cancer because these receptors are not enough in the tumor cells. However, chemotherapy can be helpful in this case.
Paget disease: This kind of cancer is also rare and is present in 1% of all kinds of cancer cases. It begins at the duct of the breast and extends to the nipple and the areola. A patient with this kind of cancer will begin to notice a red, scaly, and crusted appearance on the areola and the nipple. She may also have itchy or burning feelings around that area of the breast.
