KomenfortheCure asked:

Breast cancer is not a one-size-fits-all disease. Find out more about the many types of breast cancer and how to distinguish one from the other.

Most cancers of the breast are invasive carcinoma, NST (no special type), frequently called invasive ductal carcinoma, which accounts for most cancers. The remaining cancers are referred to as “special type.” The most common among the special types is invasive lobular carcinoma which is the second most common type after invasive carcinoma, NST. The remaining invasive cancers in the special type category are much less common and include the following (this list is not all-inclusive):
Invasive lobular (ILC): This type of breast cancer accounts for approximately 10-15% of all invasive carcinomas in the breast. Most of these cancers are Nottingham grade I or II. An exception is so-called pleomorphic invasive lobular carcinoma. The cells of typical ILC grow in a characteristic pattern which distinguishes it from invasive carcinoma, NST. This growth pattern often makes it difficult to determine the actual size of the cancer by clinical exam or by radiology. These cancers are almost always estrogen and progesterone receptor positive and negative for HER-2 over-expression. Tubular: These are low grade breast cancers (Nottingham grade I) that are composed almost entirely of invasive duct-like structures that resemble normal breast ducts. It can sometimes be difficult for the pathologist to distinguish this type of cancer from benign lesions such as sclerosing adenosis or radial scar. Special studies or consultation with a breast pathologist can help with this distinction. These cancers are almost always estrogen and progesterone receptor positive and negative for HER-2 over-expression. Medullary: This is a rare type of breast cancer that has a very characteristic appearance under the microscope. These tumors are not graded using the Nottingham system as they are a unique cancer. There are very strict criteria that a pathologist must adhere to in making this particular diagnosis. These cancers are almost always negative for estrogen and progesterone receptors and negative for HER-2 over-expression. Mucinous: This is another breast cancer that has a very characteristic appearance–the cancer cells invade the breast tissue associated with abundant mucin. They can sometimes be confused with a benign finding called mucocele-like tumor. These cancers are almost always estrogen and progesterone receptor positive and negative for HER-2 over-expression. Adenoid cystic: This special type of breast cancer can be found arising in other parts of the body, particularly the head and neck area where they have a poor prognosis. However, in the breast, they tend to behave more favorably. These cancers are almost always negative for estrogen and progesterone receptors and negative for HER-2 over-expression. Invasive cribriform: This is another rare type of breast cancer that can sometimes be confused with ductal carcinoma in situ. Special studies or consultation with a breast pathologist can help with this distinction. These cancers are usually estrogen and progesterone receptor positive and negative for HER-2 over-expression. Invasive papillary: This is a special type of breast cancer where the cells grow in a characteristic form similar to papillary carcinomas that can be found in other organs, such as the ovaries and thyroid. Most of these rare cancers are estrogen and progesterone receptor positive and negative for HER-2 over-expression. Invasive micropapillary: This rare variant of breast cancer usually has a poor prognosis. The characteristic appearance of the cancer is the cells invading the breast tissue surrounded by “clear spaces”. This type of breast cancer frequently spreads into the lymphatic spaces of the breast. Most of these cancers are positive for estrogen and progesterone receptors and approximately half or more are positive for HER-2 over-expression. Secretory: This very rare type of breast cancer tends to occur in younger women. These tumors tend to be circumscribed and the cells have a classic appearance under the microscope with abundant secretory material which helps distinguish this type of carcinoma from other types. The cancers are generally negative for estrogen and progesterone receptors and negative for HER-2 over-expression. For more information on breast cancer and breast pathology, visit SBPC.

? 2010 Seattle Breast Pathology Consultants, LLC. All rights reserved.

By: Thomas Lawton

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There are many types of breast cancer and not all look the same way. Not all breast cancers show up as a lump. One type of breast cancer that does not typically present as a lump is Inflammatory Breast Cancer or IBC. IBC makes up only 1% to 6% of all breast cancers, so many people are not familiar with the disease.

IBC is the most aggressive type of breast cancer. It tends to grow at a much faster rate than the other types of cancer. IBC grows in sheets or nests of cells in the breast as opposed to growing in a solid tumor. IBC grows in the dermal (skin) lymphatic system which explains why there is usually no lump associated with it. The symptoms of IBC appear due to the cancer cells blocking the lymph vessels below the skin – typically presenting as warm skin and color changes. Because of the involvement of the lymphatic system, IBC carries an initial Stage 3 diagnosis, however, the earlier you detect the disease and begin treatment, the greater your chances of survival.

Symptoms of IBC include a rapid, unusual increase in breast size; nipple discharge or change in the areola area (the pigmented area around the nipple); any skin changes of the breast such as redness, rash or blotchiness; a flattening or retracting of the nipple; persistent itching of the breast or nipple; dimpling or ridging of the nipple; a lump or thickening of the breast tissue; any lymph node swelling under the arm or above the collar bone; stabbing pain or sore breast; and a feverish breast. These symptoms may appear quickly and seemingly out of nowhere. Mammograms and ultrasounds usually miss IBC unless there is a tumor involved.

IBC can be detected by a number of biopsy methods. A skin punch biopsy or needle core biopsy in combination with an MRI and/or a PET scan are usually the course of action when investigating suspicious symptoms. Any area of concern removed by biopsy must also include the tissue from below the skin surface. Another term used to refer to IBC in a pathology report is “dermal lymphatic involvement”.

Some doctors will treat women with an antibiotic for mastitis upon initial consultation. Mastitis is a benign breast infection. If your symptoms have not improved after 7-10 days of antibiotic treatment, insist on a biopsy. Some skin rashes can be caused by allergies or are reactions to certain soaps and/or detergents. Changing the soap or detergent you use can sometime resolve a skin rash, but if there is no improvement you should insist on a biopsy.

One myth of breast cancer is that is does not hurt. Most of the time breast pain comes from non-cancer causes, such as hormonal changes. With IBC there is pain involved more so than other types of breast cancer.

The treatment for IBC includes chemotherapy, modified radical mastectomy (MRM) and auxiliary lymph node dissection (ALND) and radiation. If the cancer is hormone receptive, a hormonal treatment like Tamoxifen is used.

As with all breast cancer symptoms, any indication of IBC should not be taken lightly. Chances are in your favor that it will be benign, but in the event that you do have IBC, early detection and treatment are key to your survival.

By: Michael Russell

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UMMCVideos asked:

About the Video: This interview with oncology expert Dr. Susan Kesmodel focuses on the latest surgical approaches in the treatment of breast cancer. In this interview, Dr. Kesmodel discusses topics such as: Types of breast cancer Multi-disciplinary treatment team Surgery: lumpectomy vs. mastectomy Recovery time from surgery Radiation therapy Sentinel node biopsy Breast reconstruction About the Expert: Dr. Susan Kesmodel is a surgical oncologist at the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center and an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Related Links: Dr. Susan Kesmodel www.umm.edu UMGCC Breast Evaluation and Treatment Program www.umgcc.org Overview: Breast Cancer www.umgcc.org Overview: Breast Surgery www.umgcc.org Patient Success Stories www.umgcc.org Distributed by Tubemogul.

CurlyQue asked:


I can’t find any information on what other types of breast cancer symptoms there are other than the obvious, breast lumps, discharge, changes in physical appearance etc. Anyone have any other symptoms associated with cancer?