Breast tissue consists of fat and connective tissue, blood vessels and lymph nodes. The breast has a branched morphology made up of specialized cell types. The lobules consist of highly arranged rings of cells, which make and secrete milk, which is then carried to the nipple through a series of ducts. The breasts contain a number of cell types, which can mutate to become cancerous. There are numerous types of invasive breast cancers, which differ in their prevalence and severity.
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Invasive ductal carcinoma is cancer originating from the cells of the breast ducts. According to the American National Cancer Institute, invasive ductal carcinoma accounts for 18% of newly diagnosed breast tumors.
Invasive ductal carcinoma is an aggressive disease, which usually presents as a lump of tissue. Diagnosis usually occurs following a mammography or ultrasound or MRI testing and a tissue biopsy to examine cell morphology. The treatment usually involves radiotherapy or chemotherapy, as well as hormonal and other targeted therapies or surgical methods including mastectomy. Since this form of cancer can prove aggressive, regular follow-up visits will become necessary to monitor the possibility of recurrence.
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma
Invasive lobular carcinoma originates in the milk-producing lobules of the breast. Unlike other forms of cancer, invasive lobular carcinoma does not usually present as a lump corresponding to the tumor, but instead appears as thickened regions of lobular tissue inside the breast, or swelling of the breast. The tumor may also contain both lobule and ductal cells.
Diagnosis of invasive lobular carcinoma occurs following a physical examination and mammogram. The risk of this cancer increases as you get older, and women with a family history of breast cancer should get regular mammograms starting when they turn 40. Once diagnosed, invasive lobular carcinoma is treated using radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy or surgical methods.
Paget's Disease
Paget's disease proves a somewhat uncommon form of cancer while involves a cancerous growth around the nipple. It is not yet known how Paget's disease develops, according to the National Cancer Institute, the disease may occur when normal nipple cells transform into Paget cells which form a tumor, or Paget's disease may develop as an effect of other invasive tumors within the breast.
The symptoms of Paget's disease include redness, irritation and scaling of the nipple skin, which gradually invades other parts of the breast. Diagnosis of Paget's diease occurs by performing a tissue biopsy to look for the presence of cancerous cells, or by examining nipple discharge. Treatment of Paget's disease can vary depending on the severity of the cancer, but common methods of treatment include surgical removal of the tumor and radiation therapy.
