Understanding Breast Cancer and its Types

Cancer is a life-threatening condition that happens as a result of the uncontrolled growth of harmful cells in the body. These cells grow in a particular body part and form a lump called a tumour. When the harmful cells grow in any part of the breast and form a malignant tumour, it causes breast cancer. The condition can show some initial signs and symptoms, such as breast pain and tenderness, changes in the breast and nipple, and unusual nipple discharge. There are different kinds of breast cancer, and most of them are carcinomas. Here, we will talk about the types of invasive and non-invasive breast cancer in detail.

What is breast cancer?

A breast has three important parts: lobules, connective tissues and ducts. The harmful cancer cells can mutate and grow rapidly in any part of the breast and form a mass of tissue called tumour. If left untreated, these cancer cells can grow into the surrounding tissues and also spread to the nearby organs.

The condition primarily affects individuals over 50 years of age and with weak immune system function. A family history of breast cancer, unhealthy lifestyle habits, hormone therapy medications and genetic mutations can also cause the condition.

Some common symptoms of breast cancer are breast pain, a lump in the breast, changes in the breast and nipple, etc. In certain cases, people may not experience any signs or symptoms in the early stages of the condition. Hence, annual breast screening or mammograms are important for timely diagnosis of the condition, especially for women over 50.

Types of breast cancer

There are two common kinds of breast cancer:

1. Invasive ductal carcinoma

It begins in the ducts responsible for carrying milk from the lobules to the nipples. The cancer gradually spreads outside the ducts to other parts of the breast. In some severe cases, the cancer spreads to the tissues and organs outside the breast.

2. Invasive lobular carcinoma

This type of carcinoma starts in the lobules, the part where breast milk is made, and spreads to the nearby breast tissues. If left untreated, invasive lobular carcinoma can also spread to other organs near the breast.

The less common types of breast carcinoma are:

1. Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC)

This is an aggressive type of cancer that starts in the ducts or lobules of the breast. It spreads faster than other kinds of breast cancer and requires immediate medical attention. The early signs of inflammatory breast carcinoma are redness and swelling on a part of the breast.

2. Paget’s disease

This condition starts in skin of the nipple and the surrounding areola and creates tumour cells called Paget cells.

3. Angiosarcoma

This rare type of cancer starts in the lining of lymph nodes or blood vessels. The cancer cells divide rapidly, and the condition may not be diagnosed until the malignant cells have spread to nearby body parts. Angiosarcoma is more common in people over 70 years of age.

4. Phyllodes tumours

This is yet another rare type of breast cancer. It develops in connective tissues of the breast and forms a lump. Most phyllodes tumours are benign, and only a few are malignant or cancerous.

5. Triple-negative breast cancer

This is an aggressive variant of invasive breast cancer that can be difficult to treat. The condition tests negative for three important markers associated with other types of breast cancer – oestrogen receptors, progesterone receptors and HER2 gene or protein; hence the name triple-negative. This is a rare type of carcinoma and is more likely to recur.

6. Metastatic breast cancer

This invasive cancer is also called stage IV breast cancer. It starts in the breast and spreads to other body parts, such as the liver, lungs, bones and brain.

7. Recurrent breast cancer

This variant of breast cancer comes back a few months or years after the treatment.

Some breast cancers are non-invasive (in situ) in nature. This means they start in a part of the breast and do not spread to the surrounding tissues and organs.

The two main types of non-invasive breast cancers are:

1. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)

This starts in the milk duct and stays there. However, if left untreated, the tumour may increase in mass and spread to the nearby fat and breast tissues.

2. Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)

LCIS is not strictly cancer but can increase the risk of invasive breast cancer. A breast contains many lobules that produce breast milk. In LCIS, cells resembling cancer cells grow inside the breast lobules and remain there. Since LCIS can lead to invasive breast cancer, it is important to opt for timely treatment.