Types of Breast Cancer
Ductal, Lobular and Inflammatory Breast Cancers
Ductal: in the Milk Ducts, this type of cancer is more common.
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS).
“In Situ” means the cancer hasn’t spread, like it is “sitting” in place. Ductal means it is in the milk ducts of the breast. This is an early type of breast cancer and is very treatable.
Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). This covers a majority of invasive breast cancers. If you have IDC, cancer cells form in the lining of your milk duct, break free of the ductal wall and invade surrounding breast tissue through the lymphatic system or bloodstream.
Lobular: In the Milk Lobes, lobular tumors can lead to a higher risk of disease in the opposite breast.
Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS).
This cancer is also just “sitting” in place, but is contained in the milk lobes of the breast. There is debate about whether this is an indication of cancer developing in the future, or in fact an early cancer.
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC). This is less common than IDC, but is similar in how it operates. ILC starts in the milk-producing lobule and invades the surrounding breast tissue. It can also spread to more distant parts of your body.
Not all types of breast cancer originate in a duct or lobule. A less common types of breast cancer is called Inflammatory Breast Cancer.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC). This is a rare but aggressive type of breast cancer. The skin on your breast looks similar to an orange peel or a rash, where it is red, pitted and skin feels more dense or thick. Lymph vessels located near the surface become blocked and create this unusual appearance. It is not seen on a mammogram.
