What Breast Cancer Type Do You Have?
Breast cancer is not a dark subject; it encompasses various types according to their area of occurrence and activity. Knowing about all types is necessary for prevention, and even during the course of your treatment, so that you know how to take proper measures and care of yourself.
Breast cancer can either spread to other parts of the body than its original site, or remain confined there. Depending on this, there are two major types of breast cancer. In situ or non-invasive breast cancer is when the cancer does not spread out. Ductal Carcinoma In Situ is the most common In Situ breast cancer. The milk ducts of the breast start developing cancer cells that do not metastasize or spread out, and this type of cancer is called Ductal Carcinoma In Situ. Mastectomy largely cures DCIS, and sometimes is all the treatment that is needed.
Invasive breast cancers are characterized by cancer spreading out to body parts other than the site in which the cancer originates. These cells usually enter the lymph vessels and blood vessels and travel to other body parts, where they develop malignant tumors. The two most common invasive breast cancer types are Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, which is also the commonest breast cancer type, and, Invasive Lobular Carcinoma.
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma accounts for 70% to 80% of all breast cancer cases. Originating in the ducts of the breast, the cancer spreads outside the ductal lining and attacks the breast tissue. There is no certainty if the cancer cells remain confined to the breast or metastasize to other organs. Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, on the other hand, is characterized by cancer cells originating in milk-producing lobules of the breast and then spreading out the same way as in IDC. One typical attribute of ILC is that no distinct lump formation is necessary. The breast usually thickens as a whole.
It is not necessary that all breast cancers originate in ducts or lobes. Sometimes, breast cancer can also originate in the breast tissue, blood and lymphatic vessels in the breast and fibrous connective tissues. Breast cancer can also occur due to metastasis of cancer from other organs. These are uncommon types, and they include Inflammatory breast cancer, Paget’s disease of the breast, angiosarcoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, metaplastic breast cancer and osteosarcoma.
Here is why it is necessary that you know even about the rarer breast cancer types: Inflammatory breast cancer, however uncommon, develops very rapidly, and, within very few days, can reach a very advanced stage; by the time you seek medical advice, it might be too late to fully cure you.
Invasive breast cancers have grading from I to III. This is done by a comparison of the patient’s breast tissue to a normal breast tissue. Grade I cancer is good news, as the tissues are still somewhat normal, and have probably not spread too much. Grade III means the tissues have degraded badly, and have possibly metastasized to other organs.
You should be well-informed about everything related to these cancers, that you know when a symptom suggests you might have breast cancer, when to seek medical advice, that the progress of your treatment is good or not, and all the measures necessary to ensure you stay healthy and get cured.
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