According to the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer is the development of abnormal cancer cells in the breast tissue, the glands that produce milk or the ducts that transport the milk to the nipple. Men can develop breast cancer; however, it is much rarer than cases with women. In 2009, the National Cancer Institute estimated that of the 194,280 new cases of breast cancer reported each year, only 1,910 are in men. There are several different types of breast cancer, and each has their own name that describes the location of the cancer and whether it has spread.
Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
The medical profession typically refers to this form of cancer as DCIS. According to BreastCancer.org, this is the most common non-invasive form of breast cancer. It develops inside the milk duct, and has not spread into surrounding areas of the breast. Although it is non-invasive, having a diagnosis of DCIS increases the likelihood of developing breast cancer again, later. According to the American Cancer Society, there are 60,000 new cases of DCIS diagnosed each year, making up one in every five new cases of breast cancer.
Invasive Ducal Carcinoma
Also called IDC, this is the most common form of breast cancer. BreastCancer.org reports that 80 percent of all breast cancers are IDC. IDC starts in the milk ducts and spreads into the breast tissue. At diagnoses, it is common for the cancer to be only in the breast tissue, but IDC can also spread into the lymph nodes and throughout the body.
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma
Referred to as ILC, this is the second most common form of breast cancer, making up about 10 percent of cases, according to the American Cancer Society. This cancer begins in the lobules, which are responsible for producing milk. It then spreads into the surrounding breast tissue. ILC, like IDC, can spread into the lymph nodes or through the body.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
The National Cancer Institute reports that only between 1 and 5 percent of breast cancers in the country are inflammatory breast cancer. This is a small percentage, but the cancer is extremely aggressive. Unlike most forms of breast cancer, inflammatory breast cancer does not begin as a small lump. The entire breast will become red and inflamed, and the condition worsens rapidly.
