There are several different types of breast cancer. They can occur in different parts of the breast.
Apart from skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancerTrusted Source in females in the United States. This is according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
The ACS also states that a female in the U.S. has a 13% chance of developing breast cancer. However, breast cancer can affect people of any sex or gender.
To understand more about the types of breast cancer, a person may find it helpful to learn about the anatomy of the breast.
Learn more about the anatomy of the breast here.
This article will look into the different types of breast cancer, including their symptoms, outlooks, and treatment options. It will also discuss breast cancer screening and when to contact a doctor.
A note about sex and gender
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.
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Ductal carcinoma in situ
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)Trusted Source is a cancer that forms in the milk ducts of the breast.
DCIS itself is a noninvasive cancer, which means that it remains in the tissue it formed in. However, DCIS can develop into an invasive cancer that spreads to other parts of the breast.
The ACS notes that DCIS accounts for around 1 in 5Trusted Source new breast cancers.
Symptoms
A person who has DCIS will generally have no signs or symptoms. However, DCIS can occasionally cause a person to have a lump in their breast or experience discharge from their nipple.
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), doctors diagnose more than 90%Trusted Source of DCIS cases as the result of mammography alone.
Treatments
There are several treatment options available for DCIS. These include:
- Lumpectomy: Also known as breast-conserving surgery, this involves a surgeon removing the DCIS and a small amount of surrounding tissue. Radiation therapy, which reduces the risk of the cancer returning, usually comes next.
- Mastectomy: A mastectomy involves a surgeon removing a person’s entire breast.
- Hormonal therapy following surgery: DCIS tumors can be hormone receptor-positive. Hormone receptor-positive DCIS grows in the presenceTrusted Source of hormones called estrogen or progesterone. After surgery, a person with this form of DCIS can undergo hormone therapy to lower the risk of the cancer returning.
Outlook
DCIS is not typically life threatening. This is because it is noninvasive. However, it can increase the risk of a person developing invasive breast cancer later on.
Those who have undergone a lumpectomy without radiation therapy have a 25–30% chance of DCIS recurring. The chance of DCIS returning is 15% if a person undergoes radiation therapy after surgery.
Most recurrences occur 5–10 years after a person has received the initial diagnosis.
Research from 2015 found that out of 100,000 females with DCIS, around 3.3%Trusted Source died from breast cancer over a span of 20 years.
Invasive ductal carcinoma
Invasive, or infiltrating, ductal carcinoma (IDC) develops in the milk ducts of the breast, then spreads to surrounding breast tissue. In time, IDC can also spread to the lymph nodes and other areas of the body.
IDC accounts for about 50–70%Trusted Source of invasive breast cancers. Additionally, around two-thirds of females who receive an IDC diagnosis are aged 55 years or older. Males can also develop IDC.
There are less common forms of IDC, including:
Tubular carcinoma of the breast
Tubular carcinomas are forms of IDC that usually measure 1 centimeter or under. A tubular carcinoma is made of tubules, which are tube shaped structures.
Tubular carcinomas account for approximately 8–27% of all breast cancers, though this type is rare in males.
Tubular carcinomas respond well to treatment and are a less aggressive form of invasive breast cancer.
Medullary carcinoma of the breast
Medullary carcinoma is a rarer form of IDC, accounting for around 5%Trusted Source of all breast cancer cases. Tumors of medullary carcinomas are soft and fleshy.
Medullary carcinomas usually do not grow quickly or spread outside the breast, so it is generally easier to treat this type than other forms of breast cancer.
Papillary carcinoma of the breast
Papillary carcinomas are another rare form of IDC, accounting for under 1–2% of invasive breast cancers. Cases of papillary carcinomas often occur in postmenopausal females.
A papillary carcinoma is made up of small, finger-like protrusions. Papillary carcinomas have a medium level of growth.
Cribriform carcinoma of the breast
Cribriform carcinomas form in the stroma, or connective tissues, of the breast. Cribriform carcinoma tumors have holes between their cells, giving them a distinctive look.
Cribriform characteristics occur in approximately 5–6% of invasive breast cancer tumors. Cribriform carcinomas are low grade, meaning that their cells grow slowly and behave similarly to healthy cells.
Symptoms
IDC may not cause any symptoms. However, the following symptoms may indicate breast cancer:
- a new lump or mass in the breast
- swelling in part or all of the breast
- skin irritation or dimpling
- breast or nipple pain
- an inverted, or inward turning, nipple
- skin discoloration, thickening, or scaliness on the nipple or breast
- nipple discharge
- a lump in the armpit or surrounding area
Treatments
Treatment for IDC can include:
- lumpectomy
- mastectomy
- removal of the lymph nodes
- chemotherapy
- radiation therapy
- hormonal therapy
- targeted therapy, which are medications that target specific characteristics of cancer cells
Outlook
The ACSTrusted Source lists the following 5-year survival rates for people with invasive breast cancer:
- For cancer that is only in the breast, the survival rate is 99%.
- If the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, the survival rate is 86%.
- If the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, the survival rate is 28%.
Reference and Full Article: Medical News Today – Breast cancer types: Definitions, symptoms, treatments, and more (medicalnewstoday.com)