The breast is a complex combination of connective tissue, mammary ducts and the spherical-shaped sacs called lobules that produce milk. The pectoralis muscle is located between the breast and the ribs in the chest wall. Breast cancer, an uncontrolled growth of cells, can spread to any area of the breast and chest wall. The MD Anderson Cancer Center reports that the incidence of breast cancer is second only to lung cancer among women in the United States.
Ductal and Lobular Carcinoma
The two types of breast cancer are ductal carcinoma and lobular carcinoma. Susan G. Komen for the Cure reports that about 85 percent of breast cancers begin as ductile carcinoma in the mammary ducts. Lobular carcinomas account for about 15 percent of breast cancers.
Non-Invasive Breast Cancer
DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) grows inside the milk ducts and remains in place. This non-invasive breast cancer has the potential to develop into invasive breast cancer. Treatment options for DCIS, including surgery, radiation therapy and hormone therapy, depend on the size and stage of the tumor.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)
The National Cancer Institute says that inflammatory breast cancer is a rare, aggressive breast cancer that accounts for 1 to 5 percent of all breast cancers in the United States. IBC includes symptoms such as redness, warmth and swelling of the breast with the absence of a lump.
Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma
Infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC), or invasive ductal carcinoma, is the most common breast cancer. IDC starts in a milk duct and invades the breast tissue.
Medullary Carcinoma
The American Cancer Society says that medullary carcinoma is rare and accounts for between 3 and 5 percent of all breast cancers. The cancer cells are large and immune system cells are present at the edges of the tumor.
Tubular Carcinoma
Tubular carcinomas are invasive ductal breast carcinomas accountable for about 2 percent of all breast cancers. The small tube-shaped cells are less likely to metastasize to other parts of the body than other types of breast cancer.
Men and Breast Cancer
An estimated 1,900 men in the United States receive a diagnosis of breast cancer every year. Breast cancer results in the death of about 440 men yearly. Symptoms of breast cancer in men include a lump, nipple discharge and local pain. Treatment for breast cancer in men is the same as for women---surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and hormone therapy, if indicated.
Recurrent Breast Cancer
Recurrent breast cancer is cancer that returns. Locations for recurrent breast cancer include any remaining breast tissue and metastasis to the lungs, bones, liver and brain.
Breast Cancer Treatment
Surgery to remove breast cancer consists of three types of surgical options. A mastectomy removes the entire breast and affected lymph nodes. A lumpectomy removes the tumor and a margin of healthy tissue around the tumor. A partial mastectomy removes the tumor, a small amount of surrounding healthy tissue, the chest muscle lining and underarm lymph nodes, if affected.
Breast Cancer Survival
Breast cancer categorization includes Stages 0, I, II, III and IV. The five-year survival rate by stage, as reported by the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., is as follows: Stage 0,100 percent; Stage I, 98 percent; Stage II, 88 percent; Stage IIIA, 56 percent; Stage IIIB, 49 percent; and Stage IV, 16 percent.
