To Cancer : Complementary and Integrative Therapies of Cancer.

There are different types of breast cancer. They are usually named after the types of cells from which it is thought the cancer has developed. Most breast cancers start in the cells lining the ducts (the channels in the breast that carry milk to the nipple) and spread into the surrounding breast tissue. This is known as invasive ductal breast cancer. There are other, less common types of breast cancer. Knowing the exact type of cancer helps the doctors to decide on the most appropriate treatment.

Learn more about these types and related conditions, including how they are diagnosed and treated, below:

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)

DCIS is a condition in which breast cancer cells have developed within some of the breast ducts (the channels in the breast that carry milk to the nipple). The abnormal cells are completely contained within the ducts and have not spread into the surrounding breast tissue. Because the cancer cells have not spread outside of the ducts, DCIS is sometimes referred to as pre-cancerous, pre-invasive, non-invasive, or intraductal cancer.

Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)

LCIS means that there are changes to the cells lining the lobules (where milk is produced) of the breast. It is not cancer, but it means there is a small increase in the risk of developing breast cancer later. Most women with LCIS will never develop breast cancer or need treatment, but doctors usually will recommend regular breast examinations so that any changes can be recognised early if they do occur.

Invasive breast cancer

If cancer cells have spread beyond the lining of the ducts or lobules into the surrounding breast tissue, it is called invasive breast cancer.

HER2 positive breast cancer

If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, a sample of breast tissue will be tested for the protein HER2. HER2 is a growth factor receptor, found on the surface of normal breast cells, and helps cells grow and divide. Some breast cancer cells have an abnormally high number of HER2 receptors – these cancers are described as being HER2 positive (HER2+). Between 15–25% women with breast cancer have HER2+ cancers. Effective treatments called biological or targeted therapies, have been developed to treat HER2+ breast cancer. The drug most commonly used is trastuzumab

Invasive ductal breast cancer

Invasive ductal breast cancer occurs when the cells that line the duct have become cancerous and have spread into the surrounding breast tissue. It is the most common type of breast cancer; between 70-80% (7 to 8 out of every 10) of all breast cancers are this type.

Invasive lobular breast cancer

Invasive lobular breast cancer develops from the cells that line the lobes of the breast. They have a different appearance to ductal cancers and have a particular pattern of spread in the surrounding breast tissue. Approximately 10% (1 in 10) of breast cancers are this type.

Inflammatory breast cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare type of breast cancer in which the cancer cells block the tiny channels (lymph vessels) in the skin and tissues of the breast. This causes the breast to become swollen, red and inflamed. The breast may also feel warm and tender to the touch. Chemotherapy is usually the first treatment, often followed by a combination of radiotherapy, hormonal therapy and surgery. About 1 to 2% (1 to 2 in every 100) of all breast cancers are inflammatory breast cancer.

Triple negative breast cancer

If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, a sample of breast tissue will be tested for receptors for the hormones oestrogen and progesterone and the protein HER2. triple negative breast cancer don’t have any of these receptors. About 15-20% of women with breast cancer have this type of breast cancer. It is often treated with a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Paget’s disease of the breast

pagets disease of the breast | is a change in the skin of the nipple that usually first appears as a scaly, red rash. Some women may notice an itching or burning sensation, and there may be oozing or bleeding from the nipple or the darker area surrounding it (areola). About 9 in 10 women with Paget’s disease of the breast will have an underlying breast cancer. Treatment will depend on whether or not cancer is present, the type of tumour and how much of the breast is affected.

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