Different Types of Breast Cancer
- Surviving Breast Cancer
- Dec 18, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 20
Breast cancer is not just one disease—it can be classified into different types of breast cancer depending on how the cells in the breast appear on a microscopic level. The following are all types of breast cancer:
1. Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS):
DCIS is considered a non-invasive form of breast cancer, meaning it is limited to the milk ducts and has not spread into any surrounding normal tissue.
2. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC):
This is the most common type of breast cancer, accounting for 70% to 80% of all breast cancers, where cancer cells have invaded the surrounding tissue.
3. Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC):
Inflammatory Breast Cancer is a type of breast cancer considered to be aggressive and is often difficult to diagnose because it does not always form a lump.
4. Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS):
LCIS is considered a non-invasive type of breast cancer, meaning the cancer cells are contained within the lobules and have not spread to surrounding normal tissue.
5. Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC):
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma is a type of cancer that starts in the milk-producing lobules and can spread into other parts of the breast.
6. Mucinous Carcinoma:
This type of breast cancer is slow-growing and is often found in older women. Mucinous Carcinoma is rare and widely considered to be less aggressive than other forms of breast cancer.
7. Metaplastic Breast Cancer:
This rare form of breast cancer can be aggressive, but treatment options are often effective.
8. Angiosarcoma:
Angiosarcoma is a rare form of breast cancer and can occur in any part of the body, but it is most commonly found in the breast tissue.
9. Phyllodes Tumor:
Phyllodes is a type of breast tumor that is not considered cancerous, but it can still be dangerous if not treated promptly.
10. Paget's Disease:
This is a rare form of breast cancer that starts in the nipple and can spread to other parts of the breast if left untreated.
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon
Download the NCCN guidelines
To learn more, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network provides updated guidelines on the different breast cancer types, may start in the milk duct, how tumor cells may affect surrounding breast tissue and connective tissues, the lymphatic vessels, and therapies that can be used to treat the tumor cells.
Download the NCCN guidelines for:
