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Autor(a):

Laço Rosa

Data do Post
26/06/2019
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What are the types of breast cancer?

Moléculas e células em um funco azul

Breast cancer multiplies the number of cells of the breast uncontrollably. Therefore, there is the generation of abnormal cells, which generate the tumor. Although this is a general concept, this disease can show up in different ways. 

There are many types of breast cancer, which can vary for instance according to early detection, origin, extension, and even the presence or absence of hormone receptors. These variations of the disease justify the strategies to treat each case. 

Do you want to understand these types of breast cancer better? So keep on reading!

Categories according to origin place and kind of development

This is the classification that determines the kind of breast cancer depending on the region where it was originated and how it developed. Check out below the possibilities. 

Ductal carcinoma in situ

This disease hits the milk-producing ducts, not affecting other tissues. Nevertheless, there can be more than one spot of this cancer in the same breast. There might be hormone receptors, i.e., a particular hormone, such as estrogen and progesterone, stimulating the cancer to grow. It is the most common non-invasive kind. 

Invasive ductal carcinoma

It starts in the milk-producing ducts, but is able to break out of them and get to the closest tissues. It is one of the kinds of breast cancer which can develop locally and affect other organs, being spread through the veins or lymphatic vessels. It is a tumor with at least one hormonal receptor. It is most of the invasive cases. 

Lobular carcinoma in situ

It originates in the milk-producing glands and does not spread to other tissues, although there might be other spots in the same breast. It is few of the cases. 

Invasive lobular carcinoma

It also originates in the milk-producing glands, but it can affect other tissues. It is a cancer that can develop only on that spot or affect other organs of the body. It is a kind of tumor with receptors of estrogen and progesterone. It comprises the second most common type of breast cancer. 

Inflammatory breast cancer

It is the least common and happens when the lymphatic vessels of the skin of the breast get blocked by the tumor cells. As the lymphatic system works defending the body, this disease brings infections and breast inflammation. 

Paget’s disease of the breast

This is a really rare kind of tumor: it starts on the breast duct and extends to the skin and dark circle of skin (areola). It might generate crusty skin and inflammations around the nipple or it might show no symptoms at all. 

Phyllodes tumor

Extremely rare, it happens on the connective tissue of the breast — different from the other types, which develop on the breast ducts or glands. 

Categories according to the intensity

There are also categories that attribute intensity to the breast cancer, from T1 to T3, according to comparisons to the healthy breast tissue. T1 is the closest to it, with slow development. T3 is the most different from it, with quick development. These classifications help doctors define the evolution of the cancer throughout the years. 

Categories according to the molecule aspects

The types of breast cancer also receive classifications according to molecule aspects. 

Luminal A

Tumor cells with positive receptors of estrogen and progesterone, but with HER2 negative (no HER2 protein), which stimulates the process of cell division. It develops slowly. 

Luminal B

It shows receptors of estrogen and/or progesterone, as well as negative HER2, but with quick development. 

HER2

It does not show any hormonal receptors, but HER2 is positive. 

Triple Negative

It is a type of tumor which has neither hormonal receptors nor HER2 protein. It is more common in young, dark-skinned women.

This disease can show in different ways, because there are different types of breast cancer. What matters is that patients are always well informed and ask their doctors about all the details of their cases and treatment.

Did you know the different types of breast tumor? Share this post on your social networks so that more people can get informed about the variations of this disease.