There are several different types of breast cancer. On this page we will discuss and outline some of the most common types of breast cancer and describe their main characteristics.
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) also known as intraductal carcinoma
- Non-invasive breast cancer
- Abnormal cells have not spread through the ducts into surrounding breast tissue
- Has not yet spread outside of breast
- May become invasive breast cancer
Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS) also called lobular neoplasia
- Abnormal cell growth starts in the lobules of the breast
- Not considered a true cancer because it is not likely to spread to surrounding tissues
- LCIS is an indicator that a woman may be more likely to develop invasive cancer in either breast
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) also known as infiltrating ductal carcinoma
- The most common type of breast cancer
- Starts in the ducts of the breast then grows into fatty breast tissue
- May also spread to other parts of the body through the lymph system and bloodstream
- Approximately 8 out of 10 invasive breast cancers are invasive ductal carcinomas
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC) also known as infiltrating lobular carcinoma
- Starts in the lobules of the breast
- Can spread to other parts of the body
- May be harder to detect with a mammogram
- Approximately 1 in 10 invasive breast cancers are invasive lobular carcinomas
Inflammatory Breast Cancer is an uncommon type of invasive breast cancer
- Approximately accounts for 1% to 3% of all breast cancers
- A lump or tumor is not always detected
- Cancer cells block lymph vessels in the skin and cause skin irritation
- Symptoms may consist of: Inflammation, redness, pitted appearance, itchiness, or tenderness
Paget Disease is a rare type of breast cancer
- Approximately accounts for 1% of all breast cancers
- Cancer starts in the breast ducts, then spreads to the skin of the nipple, and areola
- Usually associated with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC)
- Symptoms may consist of the nipple and areola being: Crusted, scaly, red, bleeding, oozing, burning, or itching
