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What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that starts from cells of the breast. Breast cancer can occur in both males and females.

A female breast is made up of glands that produce breast milk (lobules), ducts (small tubes that carry milk from the lobules to the nipple), fatty and connective tissue, blood vessels, and lymph vessels. Most breast cancers begin in the cells that line the ducts (ductal cancer), some begin in the lobules (lobular cancer), and the rest in other tissues.

Symptoms in males are similar to that in females. If you notice any persistent changes to your breasts, you should contact your doctor. Here are some signs to watch for:

• A lump felt in the breast
• Nipple pain
• An inverted nipple
• Nipple discharge (clear or bloody)
• Sores on the nipple and areola (the small ring of color around the center of the nipple)
• Enlarged lymph nodes under the arm

Types of Breast Cancer:

Carcinoma in situ (CIS) - This term is used for early stage cancer, when it is confined to the place where it started. In breast cancer, it means that the cancer is confined to the ducts or the lobules and has not gone into the tissues in the breast nor spread to other organs in the body.

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) - This is the most common type of noninvasive breast cancer. DCIS means that the cancer is confined to the ducts. It has not spread through the walls of the ducts into the tissue of the breast. Nearly all women with cancer at this stage can be cured. The best way to find DCIS early is with a mammogram.

Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) - This condition begins in the milk-producing glands but does not go through the wall of the lobules. Although not a true cancer, having LCIS increases a woman's risk of getting cancer later. For this reason, it's important that women with LCIS to follow the screening guidelines for breast cancer.

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) - is an especially aggressive type of breast cancer that can occur in women of any age (and, although extremely rarely, in men). It is unique because it often does not present with a lump and therefore often is not detected by mammography or ultrasound. It presents with the signs and symptoms of a breast infection such as mastitis.
IBC or Inflammatory Breast Cancer causes breast changes in the nipple and surrounding areas. IBC starts out looking like a bug bite or some sort of a sore. And it is not detectable in mammograms.

There is a very short window of opportunity to treat IBC. Many women, young and old, are embarassed to mention or show the sore to their spouse, partner, parent or doctor and often are not diagnosed until the disease is tragically advanced. The importance of open communication between family members and patients with their doctors cannot be stressed enough. More information on IBC can be found here: http://www.ibchelp.org/

Invasive (infiltrating) ductal carcinoma (IDC) - This is the most common breast cancer. It starts in a milk passage or duct, breaks through the wall of the duct, and invades the tissue of the breast. From there it can spread to other parts of the body. It accounts for about 80% of invasive breast cancers.

Invasive (infiltrating) lobular carcinoma (ILC) - This cancer starts in the milk glands or lobules. It can spread to other parts of the body. About 10% of invasive breast cancers are of this type.


Visit OBGYN.net Breast Care for even more information:

• Breast Care FAQ - The Breast Health Forum FAQ has been created with the help of our own expert, Dr. Hannah Brooks to help educate women about their breasts. Search the Breast Care FAQs by topic:

• • Breast Size, Shape and Appearance
  • Breast Pain, Itching, Lumps, Bumps and Discharge
  • Mammograms
  • Diagnosis,Treatment and Procedures

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