Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women. It is a disease where cancer cells are found in the tissue of the breast. An individual breast has 15 to 20 sections, known as lobes, which are in turn subdivided into smaller sections called lobules. Cancer occurs when the cells become abnormal and divide without control. This results in too much tissue and a lump forms. This is called a tumour and can be benign or malignant. Narrow tubes called ducts connect the lobes and lobules. The most common of all breast cancer is ductile cancer, found in the duct cells. Cancer starting in the lobes or lobules is called lobular cancer. If detected early breast cancer is treatable – even curable. Most women who are treated in the early stages remain cancer-free five years on.

Tumours

Benign tumours are not cancerous. Once removed, they usually do not reoccur. Cells in benign tumours do not invade the surrounding tissue nor do they spread to other parts of the body. They are not life-threatening
Malignant tumours are cancerous. The cells continue to grow out of control, invading and damaging the surrounding tissue and organs. Often they break away entirely and enter the lymphatic system or even the bloodstream which can lead to secondary cancer.

Types of breast cancer

Adenocarcinoma starts in the glandular tissues. The two main types are ductile carcinomas and lobular carcinomas
Ductile carcinoma or DCIS is the most common type of non-invasive breast cancer. If diagnosed early it can be cured. Usually diagnosed by mammogram.
Invasive ductile carcinoma or IDC starts in the milk duct and has spread to the fatty tissue of the breast. Accounts for around 75% of breast cancer.
Invasive lobular carcinoma or ILC starts in the milk producing glands. Like IDC, this can spread to the fatty tissue and is more difficult to diagnose by mammogram.
Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare form of invasive cancer, accounting for just 1% of all breast cancers. The skin of the breast becomes red, inflamed and pitted in appearance.
Lobular carcinoma in situ or LCIS is a non-invasive cancer of the milk glands that does not break through the lobules. Women with this condition have a higher risk of developing an invasive type of cancer.
Medullary carcinoma is an invasive cancer and accounts for 5% of breast cancers. Women diagnosed with this have a better chance of survival than with other types of invasive cancers.
Mucinous carcinoma also known as Colloid carcinoma. This is a very rare form of invasive breast cancer is formed by mucus-producing cells. Prognosis for recovery is good.
Paget’s disease starts in the ducts and spreads to the nipple before reaching the areola. Often associated with in situ carcinoma but it is not always invasive.
Phyllods tumour is a very rare form of cancer found in the connective tissue of the breast. Phyllodes are usually benign but occasionally may become malignant.
Tubular carcinoma is an unusual type of invasive breast cancer. They have a better than average prognosis than either ductile or lobular carcinomas.

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Breast Cancer