Breast Disease » Common Breast Cancers
Common Breast Cancers
Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)
DCIS is a non-invasive form of breast cancer which is confined to the ducts of the breast. DCIS can be found at any age but appears to be most common in 50-59 years of age.
Usually it is not found as a lump or any other breast change. Most cases of DCIS are found during routine screening mammography. It often appears as micro-calcifications (small flecks of calcium) on the mammogram.
Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS)
In LCIS abnormal cells are contained within the breast lobules and do not spread to other parts of the breast or body. It is therefore not an invasive breast cancer
Usually LCIS is not found as a lump or any other breast change. Most cases of LCIS are found when a woman has a breast biopsy for some other reason.
Early Breast Cancer
This is an invasive breast cancer contained within the breast. It may also have spread to the lymph nodes of the breast or axilla. Some cancer cells may have spread beyond the breast and axilla but remain undetected.
For More Information on Early Breast Cancer
Paget’s Disease of the Nipple
Paget’s disease is a rare form of invasive breast cancer affecting the nipple and its surrounding area, the areola. Many women with Paget’s disease also have another breast cancer elsewhere in the same breast. This second breast cancer can also be an invasive breast cancer or pre-invasive breast cancer such as DCIS.
For More Information on Paget's Disease
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare invasive breast cancer which affects the blood vessels in the skin, and causes the breast to become red and swollen. Inflammatory breast cancer spreads along the lymphatic vessels in the skin and blocks them.
For More Information on Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Secondary Breast Cancer
Secondary breast cancer is an invasive form of breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body. This usually called metastatic or advanced breast cancer. The cancer cells spread to other parts of the body in blood and lymphatic vessels and form new cancer deposits. This would typically spread to the bones, lungs, liver and the brain. Having secondary breast cancer does not mean the cancer has spread to all these sites.