There are many different types/forms of breast cancer, not to mention that different illness’s stages will have different treatment, and each woman will have a different outcome. Being aware of various types/kinds of breast cancer will help you make wiser decisions when you combine complementary therapies with traditional medicines or when you choose better foods during treatment.
This article was excerpted from the book named “I wish I could fix it” from the Australian Breast Cancer Network to help you better understand your illness status so that you are less to be pessimistic, negative, and especially, to not use arbitrary folk remedies, traditional medicines or supplemental treatment.
The common types of breast cancer include:
Early breast cancer
This is the type of cancer which starts from mammary ducts or the lobules, and spread into surrounding breast cells. Sometimes, this stage is referred as invasive breast cancer. Early breast cancer can spread into lymph nodes in chest or armpit.
The most common form of breast cancer is invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) which starts in the mammary ducts and spreads into breast cells.
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)
DICS is the breast cancer which is inside the milk ducts. These cancer cells do not spread beyond mammary ducts into normal breast cells. Sometimes, DCIS is also called as Non-invasive breast cancer.
Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS)
LCIS is the breast cancer which is inside the breast lobules. The abnormal cells have not spread beyond the lobules into normal breast cells. Sometimes, LCIS is also called as Non-invasive breast cancer.
The less common types of breast cancer include:
Locally advanced breast cancer
This is the cancer which cancer cells spread into areas surrounding breast tissue like chest, breast skin and breast muscle.
Paget’s disease of the Nipple
Paget’s disease of the Nipple is a rare form of breast cancer in which the cancer cells grow in the nipple or the areola. The nipple and areola usually become scaly, itchy and irritated.
Inflammatory breast cancer
This is also a rare type of breast cancer. This form of cancer affects the blood vessels under the breast skin. The first symptom often starts with the reddening and swelling rather than the lumps and tumors.
Secondary breast cancer
Secondary breast cancer (known as Metastatic breast cancer or advanced breast cancer) occurs when cancer cells spread into other organs of the body such as bone, livers, lungs and brain.
BCNV 12/2013
BCNV strives in our ability to provide the most reliable information for Vietnamese people who are unfortunately diagnosed with breast cancer.
However, BCNV cannot guarantee or be responsible or be held liable for this information’s accuracy or completeness; nor be liable for any loss or damage (if any) from the use of information contained in the article. BCNV welcomes and respects constructive feedback from experts, doctors, patients and interested people, which makes the article have more accurate information to better serve to women with breast cancer and to improve the community’s awareness.
BCNV recommends that patients should talk to their specialist about their decisions during treatment.
