Breast Cancer
Types of Breast Cancer
These are the most common types of breast cancer. It is important to know that there are other types of breast cancer that can develop. Those results should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
- Most common type of breast cancer.
- Invasive type of breast cancer.
- Non-invasive or pre-cancer of the breast.
- In Situ: means “in its original place”.
- This is a unique form of breast cancer which often does not form a lump. This makes it more difficult to detect on screening mammograms, other imaging and breast examination.
- Invasive type of breast cancer.
There are two common types of LCIS:
- Pleomorphic LCIS: a non-invasive or pre-cancer type often treated like DCIS.
- Classic LCIS: this is not a true cancer or pre-cancer, but rather, a marker of increased risk of developing breast cancer.
In Situ: means “in its original place”.
- Cancer cells block the lymphatic vessels in the skin of the breast.
- The breast becomes red and swollen.
- This type of breast cancer tends to grow and spread quickly.
A rare condition that affects the skin of the nipple and areola such as:
- Redness, scaling, flaky or thickened skin around the nipple.
- Discharge which could be yellow in appearance, or, may contain blood.
- Appearance changes such as a flattened or inverted nipple.
- Can cause burning, itching or pain.
It is important to know that these symptoms could look like another skin condition that is not cancer. It is very important to get a proper diagnosis from a doctor and this may require a nipple biopsy.
This type of cancer is usually caused by the milk ducts either from Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) or Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC).
Breast Cancer Cells
Our body is made up of special chemicals called hormones. These help control many things, like how we grow and how our bodies work.
In breast cancer, two important hormones are estrogen and progesterone. These hormones can sometimes cause cancer cells to grow faster.
Receptors are like little “locks” on the surface of the cell. The hormones can fit into these “locks” and “unlock” a message that will tell the cell to grow. Think of it like a key unlocking a door.
Breast cancer can be hormone positive or hormone negative.
It is important to know if your breast cancer cells contain these receptors to help your doctor determine which treatment will be best. In order to determine this, a biopsy must be done.
Hormone Receptor Positive
- Cancer cells have receptors
- Contain hormones like estrogen or progesterone or both
- Helps the cancer grow
Hormone Receptor Negative
- Cancer cells do not have any receptors
- The hormones do not play a role in making the cancer grow
Types of Receptors
- Estrogen Receptor positive (ER positive)
- Breast cancer cells have receptors for estrogen
- Hormone therapy may be part of your treatment plan
- Progesterone Receptor positive (PR positive)
- Breast cancer cells have receptors for progesterone
- Hormone therapy may be part of your treatment plan
- Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 positive (HER2 positive)
- Breast cancer cells are making a more than normal amount of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein
- Targeted therapy may be a part of your treatment plan
- Triple Negative Breast Cancer
- Breast cancer cells do not contain estrogen or progesterone
- Breast cancer cells do not contain HER2 protein
- This type of cancer can be more aggressive, meaning it may grow and spread faster
Breast Cancer Grades & Stages
Cancer cells are provided a “grade” which will tell your doctor what the cancer cells look like and how fast they are growing.
Grade 1 or Low Grade
- these cells look very similar to normal cells
- Other terms: well-differentiated cells
Grade 2 or Moderate Grade
- not as “normal looking” as grade 1 cells but not as “abnormal looking” as grade 3. They may grow a bit faster and spread more easily.
- Other terms: intermediate, moderately differentiated cells
Grade 3 or High Grade
- cells look very different from normal cells. They tend to grow quickly and more likely to spread to other areas.
- Other terms: poorly differentiated cells or undifferentiated cells
Stages
Breast cancers are provided a “stage” to help your doctor figure out how much cancer is present and if it has spread to any other areas of the body. Typically, the staging used is referred to as TNM.
| T (Tumor) | N (Lymph Nodes) | M (Metastasis) |
|---|---|---|
TX Unable able to measure the tumor | NX Unable to determine if the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes | M0 The cancer has not spread to other parts of the body |
Tis (T in situ) The tumor remains in the duct and has not grown into nearby tissue | N0 The cancer is not found in the lymph nodes | M1 The cancer has spread to other locations in the body |
T1 to T4 The tumor is increasing in size 1 to 4 will describe the size of the tumor | N1 to N3 The cancer has spread into the lymph nodes |
