What You Need To Know About Breast Cancer

The particular part of the breast where a cancer originates categorizes that type of breast cancer.

*Ductal Carcinoma: The beginnings of this type of cancer is in the cells which line the ducts of the breast, the ducts that supply milk to the nipple; just underneath the nipple and the areola. If the cancer is in situ, that is, it is contained and not invasive out it is called Ductal Carcinoma IN Situ (DCIS). Treatment of such a type of cancer is largely successful and can be typically removed by a lumpectomy. In case the margins of the tumor are devoid of cancer, radiation might be a form of follow-up treatment. If it has become invasive - spread into nearby tissue a mastectomy may be required coupled with chemotherapy.

*Lobular Carcinoma: This variety of breast cancer, as it is named, starts at the lobes (glands) that are located under the ducts far more deeper inside the breasts. These lobes produce milk. If the cancer has not spread and is contained, then it is called Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS). Depending on whether the cancer is contained or has spread, either lumpectomy perhaps followed by radiation or mastectomy followed by chemotherapy may be the line of treatment.

The next common type of breast cancer are those that have invaded adjacent tissue. They include:

*Invasive (Infiltrating) Cancer of the Breast: These are the cancers that have the potential to spread out from the site of the original tumor and infiltrate into the whole of the breast or even into other parts of the body. Invasive breast cancer come in several different types and subtypes.

*Inflammatory Breast Cancer: A very rare kind of breast cancer but a very aggressive kind. Instead of the typical form of other breast cancers that appear in the form of lumps, this variety takes the form or sheets or nests. It can appear under the skin or in the skin. Unlike the above mentioned two types of cancers, this kind is first treated with chemotherapy followed by surgery. If the cancer id detected early, then the prognosis is good and the rate of survival is gradually increasing.

*Paget's Disease: This type of breast cancer was discovered by Sir James Paget and is so named after him. He was the one who noticed the relationship between the physiological changes of the nipple and the underlying cancer. Typically, the cancer has the appearance of a skin rash or an eczema on the nipple or there is a hardening of the nipple. There may be accompanying itchiness. This itchiness and the dislodging of scabs when scratched are the symptoms of the breast cancer festering under the skin.