Breast Cancer: Understanding The Different Types And Stages
Breast cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the cells of the breast tissue. It is the second most common cancer among women, after skin cancer. Understanding the different types and stages of breast cancer is important for diagnosis and treatment. In this blog post, we will discuss the different types and stages of breast cancer.
Types of Breast Cancer
There are several types of breast cancer, but the most common types are:
1. Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)
DCIS is a non-invasive breast cancer that develops in the milk ducts. It is also called stage 0 breast cancer because it is confined to the milk ducts and has not spread to the surrounding tissue.
2. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)
IDC is the most common type of breast cancer, accounting for about 80% of all cases. It starts in the milk ducts but then invades the surrounding breast tissue.
3. Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC)
ILC accounts for about 10% of all breast cancer cases. It starts in the milk-producing glands of the breast and then spreads to the surrounding tissue.
4. Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Triple-negative breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that does not have receptors for estrogen, progesterone, or HER2. This makes it more difficult to treat than other types of breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Stages
Breast cancer is staged based on the size of the tumor and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. The stages of breast cancer are:
1. Stage 0: DCIS
DCIS is non-invasive cancer that has not spread to the surrounding tissue.
2. Stage I
Stage I breast cancer is when the tumor is less than 2 centimeters in size and has not spread to the lymph nodes.
3. Stage II
Stage II breast cancer is when the tumor is larger than 2 centimeters but has not spread to the lymph nodes, or when the tumor is smaller than 2 centimeters but has spread to the lymph nodes.
4. Stage III
Stage III breast cancer is when the tumor has spread to the lymph nodes and the surrounding tissue.
5. Stage IV
Stage IV breast cancer is when cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones, liver, or lungs.
Conclusion
Breast cancer is a complex disease with different types and stages. Understanding the different types and stages of breast cancer is important for diagnosis and treatment. DCIS is non-invasive cancer that develops in the milk ducts, while IDC and ILC are invasive cancers that spread to the surrounding tissue. Triple-negative breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that does not have receptors for estrogen, progesterone, or HER2. Breast cancer is staged based on the size of the tumor and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. If you have concerns about breast cancer, talk to your healthcare provider about screening and treatment options.
