Breast cancer is now one of the most common types of cancers. Thousands of women across the globe are affected by it. However, the breast cancer can be of various types. The variety of the breast cancer is often determined by the area from where they start as well as by the nature of the cancer cells.
There are two most common types of the breast cancers that are named after the areas in the breast from where the start.
Ductal Carcinoma
This type of cancer starts in the cells that line the ducts in the breast beneath the areola and nipple. The ducts carry the milk from the glands to the nipple. Almost 90% of the breast cancers start in these ducts. However, if the cancer is Ductal carcinoma in situ, the chances of success with proper treatment is very high. Generally, the tumor is removed during lumpectomy. Sometimes, additional treatments like radiation, chemotherapy or mastectomy are required.
Lobular Carcinoma
This is another very common type of breast cancer that starts in the lobs or glands that produce the milk. These glands are situated in deeper in the breast below the ducts. Around 8% of the breast cancers are of this type. In lobular carcinoma in situ, the cancer does not spread beyond the lobe. This too can be removed in lumpectomy. Some of the cases require chemotherapy, mastectomy, or radiation.
Apart from these two types of cancers, there are some cancers that are more aggressive. They tend to invade in the surrounding tissues and thereby spread the cancer quickly.
Invasive Breast Cancer
Also known as the infiltrating breast cancer, it is the second most common type of cancer and it has the capability of spreading beyond the original tumor and infiltrate other parts of the body. This cancer can be of different types and subtypes. This type of cancer can start in ducts or lobs.
Less known types of breast cancers
There are some types of breast cancers that are rare. However, some of them are extremely aggressive and dangerous.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
This is the rarest types of breast cancer and at the same time, this is the most aggressive type as well. It takes the form of nests instead of the lumps that are common. It can appear on the skin or just beneath it. The primary treatment for this type of cancer is chemotherapy. It can be manageable if caught at the early stages.
Paget’s disease
Another rare instance is the cancer in the nipple. This is called Paget’s disease after famous doctor Sir James Paget. The cancer generally looks like a rough skin or rash. Sometimes, it can be itchy as well. It is generally treated with mastectomy.
Apart from that, there are some types of breast cancers that are extremely rare. For instance, there are the triple negative breast cancers and the mixed tumors. There is also the medullary carcinoma, metaplastic carcinoma, mucinous carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma and other special types of breast cancers.
