What Are The 6 Different Types of Breast Cancer?

 

About 264,000 women and 2,400 men are diagnosed with breast cancer annually in the United States. This cancer is spreading like wildfire, and sadly most people get to know about it at a later stage when it is not treatable. However, if you indulge in regular check-ups, you can prevent breast cancer. There are various types of breast cancer, and you should consult oncologist every time you feel like it. 

 

Types of Breast Cancer

I was never aware of this, but I think you should be. Breast cancer has various types, and each deals with a different part of the organ or shares multiple symptoms. In any case, if you feel any changes in your breast shape or size, inflammation, or color change on your skin, you should consult oncologists as soon as possible. There are several types of breast cancer, and some of them have been enlisted and described below: 

 

1. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most popular in around 70-80% of all cancer cases. It is one of the most common types of cancer. It starts in a milk duct and then spreads toward other breast parts. As time passes, it spreads to other parts of the body. It occurs in the tubes of the breast that carry milk to the nipple.

 

2. Invasive Lobular Carcinoma

A woman with ILC is likely to have both breasts affected in one out of five cases. The second number is the most common type of breast cancer, accounting for 5-10% of breast cancers. As ILC spreads into the nearby breast tissue, it starts in lobules (where breast milk is produced) and may metastasize, as in invasive lobular carcinoma. Compared to IDC, this cancer is difficult to detect on mammograms. 

 

3. Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer spreads relatively at the most faster rate than other types of breast cancer. It is found in the ducts or lobules of the breast. This is relatively less popular as it accounts for 1-5% of breast cancer in the US. The inflammation signs, in this case, like redness on the skin and swelling. Sometimes it is misdiagnosed as a breast infection. In ⅓ cases, it is diagnosed at a very later stage when it has spread to other parts of the body. Hence, this type of cancer has a lower survival rate. 

 

4. Paget’s Disease of the Breast

It is one of the rare cancers on the list of breast cancers. It is also known as Paget’s disease of the nipple. According to the NCI, approximately 1 to 4 percent of patients with breast cancer also suffer from this disease. Nipple and areola skin develops Paget cells, which are unique tumor cells.

 

5. Angiosarcoma of the Breast

This cancer forms in the lining of lymph or blood vessels. This cancer accounts for 1-2% of all sarcomas. It is widespread in people who lie in the age range of 70 or above. It is caused by radiation therapy complications and is likely to occur after 8-10 years of the therapy. This, too, is the kind of cancer that spreads like wildfire and is diagnosed in later stages. 

 

6. Phyllodes Tumors

This tumor is found in the breast's connective tissues and primarily affects women in their 40s. It is more common in people with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, an inherited genetic condition. According to the ACS, about 25 percent of phyllodes tumors are cancerous. Among the rarer types of invasive breast cancer are adenoid cystic carcinoma, low-grade adenosquamous carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, mucinous carcinoma, papillary carcinoma, and tubular carcinoma.

 

Conclusion

Cancer has various stages, types, and branches in the types. Six of the branches of breast cancer have been described here. Among these are invasive ducal carcinoma and invasive lobular carcinoma, which are majorly popular in breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer, Angiosarcoma, and Paget's breast disease are known for spreading quickly. On the other hand, Phyllodes tumor spreads majorly in women aged 40 or above. Consult oncologist if you face any issues in your breast, and for constant follow-ups, you can consult online oncologist. 

For more queries, visit WoW Health or contact us at 844-969-4325.

 

FAQs

Q1. Which is the most common type of breast cancer?

80% of breast cancer diagnoses are invasive ductal carcinomas, also known as infiltrating ductal carcinomas or IDCs.

Q2. What is the most curable type of breast cancer?

One in five newly diagnosed breast cancer patients has ductal carcinoma. It is very curable.