Breast Cancer Treatment at Emory
Breast cancer can best be described as a type of cancer where cells abnormally divide and grow in the breast tissue. The site where breast cancer originated can typically be found either in the mammary ducts or the lobules. Cancerous tumors usually grow very slowly; by the time a lump is detectable by self examination; it can already be as much as 10 years old. However, it is important to understand the difference between invasive breast cancer and carcinoma in situ. The following is an overview of the various types of carcinoma in situ as well as invasive breast cancer.
Carcinoma in situ is a disease in which abnormal cell growth occurs either in the mammary ducts or the lobules, but has not spread to surrounding breast tissues. The term “in situ” actually means “in place” which is obviously reflects the stationary nature of the abnormal cells. Ductal (DCIS)and lobular(LCIS) carcinoma in situ are the two sub-categories of this disease.
DCIS is a disease where abnormal cells begin growing in the hollow areas of the mammary ducts. These abnormal cells carry a strong resemblance to those of invasive cancer – DCIS can actually become invasive cancer if left untreated. It is because of this reason that it is very important to frequently perform self examinations.
When the abnormal cell growth occurs in the open spaces of the lobules it is called lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). This is different from DCIS because it is in a different area and the cells do not have the potential to grow into invasive cancer. However, it has been proven that women who have LCIS are at higher risk of having invasive cancer.
Invasive cancer is when these abnormal cells/tumor spread into surrounding breast tissues and organs. However, invasive cancer could still only be confined to the breast area. If invasive cancer is detected in its early stage, it can be treated with successful outcomes. But in more advanced stages, where the tumor has grown to affect other organs such as the liver, lungs, and bones treatment have lower success rates.
When a woman finds a lump it is very important to have it checked out; the odds of that lump being invasive cancer is about 20%. She will either need a mammogram or a biopsy. The mammogram will be able to provide more information about the suspicious area. A biopsy will give you and the physician definitive results as to what is causing the lump and whether it is dangerous.
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