Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer among women in the United States. The high rates of breast cancer can be overwhelming to confront, especially if you have a genetic predisposition to the disease, like BRCA1 or BRCA2. Fortunately, learning about the different types of breast cancer, and ensuring frequent scans for you and your loved ones, can help prevent the progression of breast cancer and its negative effects. Here’s a list of the types of breast cancers to help with education and early detection.
Breast Cancer Types
1. Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) is referred to as stage 0 cancer, meaning it’s non-invasive. In these patients, cancer is contained alongside the milk duct. This type of pre-invasive cancer makes up about 20% of breast cancers and offers an excellent survival rate and can be treated with a lumpectomy followed by radiation. A person with DCIS might also undergo a mastectomy, though that’s usually reserved for cases where there’s a large amount of tumors. Chemotherapy usually isn’t needed for this type of breast cancer, though each person will have their own treatment plan.
2. Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS)
Unlike DCIS, Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS) is rare, and it’s not a definitive cancer diagnosis. Rather, LCIS means a doctor has detected abnormal cells in the milk-producing glands in your breasts (lobules). It also means you have a greater risk of developing breast cancer than those who don’t have these kinds of abnormal cells. While this type of cancer can be managed with regular checkups, a biopsy, and chemo prevention, someone with a family history of breast cancer may choose to have a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy, meaning the removal of both breasts as a preventative measure.
3. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)
Unlike invasive breast cancer, IDC begins in the milk ducts, meaning the cancer cells are contained there. However, it is possible for IDC to develop into invasive cancer and spread to the breast tissue, lymph nodes, and other areas of the body. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma comprises eight out of ten breast cancer cases. As the most common type of breast cancer, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) has a high survival rate when detected early. In fact, it has a five-year survival rate of nearly 100% when detected early, according to The Cleveland Clinic.
4. Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer (ILC)
When abnormal cells form in one part of the breast and spread to other parts of the breast, it’s called invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). It is the second most common type of breast cancer after IDC, comprising 10% to 15% of all breast cancer cases in the United States. The main differentiator from invasive ductal carcinoma is that invasive lobular breast cancer forms as a mass or lump, rather than a cell pattern. ILC is most often diagnosed after age sixty and is a more slow-growing type of cancer. Being diagnosed with LCIS can increase the risk of developing ILC, as can the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after breast cancer.
5. Triple negative breast cancer
Affecting 10-15% of people with breast cancer, Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is a more aggressive form of cancer that spreads faster and is harder to treat. This cancer is called triple-negative because it tests negative for the three common tests, which assess levels of estrogen, progesterone, and HER2. This type of cancer is most common among women under age 40, Black women, and women with the BRCA1 mutation. While this type of breast cancer has a worse prognosis than most, researchers at The Cleveland Clinic are currently testing a vaccine for Triple Negative Breast Cancer.
6. Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Both rare and aggressive, Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) develops rapidly. It accounts for 5% or less of all breast cancers and more commonly affects women under 40. IBC leads to breast inflammation, including swelling, redness, skin changes, swelling of the lymph nodes, and more. Feelings of warmth, itching, and tenderness can also be a sign. Imaging tests and biopsies help determine if this cancer is present. People with inflammatory breast cancer may receive a mix of radiation, chemotherapy, or therapy via other drugs, but it’s important to understand that each person’s treatment will be unique based on their needs.
7. Angiosarcoma of the Breast
Angiosarcoma is a rare breast cancer that develops and spreads rapidly, starting in the cells alongside blood vessels (or lymph vessels). This type of breast cancer can occur on its own, which is called primary angiosarcoma and usually affects women aged 30 to 40. But it can also be a result of prior breast radiation due to cancer treatment (it tends to occur around a decade after radiation), among women older than 50. Due to the rare nature of this type of breast cancer, there isn’t a set kind of treatment, and therapy will depend on the patient’s history and prognosis. Next up: 50+ Breast Cancer Tattoos
Sources
“Breast Cancer Statistics.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.“Ductal Carcinoma in Situ.” Johns Hopkins Medicine.“Invasive (Infiltrating) Carcinoma.” Cleveland Clinic.“Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer.” Cedars Sinai.
