Breast cancer is a malignant tumour developed from abnormal cells in the breast, invading and destroying normal healthy breast tissues. Overtime, the cancer cells can spread into the underarm lymph nodes, and other organs. Although breast cancer can occur in both man and women, male breast cancers only account for an exceedingly small percentage while it is far more common in women.
Early stage of breast cancer (cancer in situ), the cancer cells are confined to the breast duct or breast lobules without spreading to other breast tissues, so it is also called non-invasive breast cancer.
Breast cancer cells may spread through the blood and lymphatic system to the nearby breast tissue, lymph nodes and other parts of the body, such as the lungs, bones, liver, and brain, and may threaten the lives of patients.
Common breast cancer types
1.Ductal Carcinoma in situ (DCIS): abnormal cells are found within the lining of the breast milk duct.
2. Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS): abnormal cells are found within the lining of the milk-producing glands of the breast (the lobules), not invade through the wall of the lobules.
3.Invasive Ducal Carcinoma (IDC): cancer cells in the milk duct have spread out and invaded other tissue of the breast.
4.Invasive Lobular carcinoma (ILC): cancer cells have broken through the wall of the lobule where they began and spread to other areas of the body.
The survival rate of early stage breast cancer is exceedingly high. Early detection is the key to reduce the needs for extensive treatment and the associatedBreast cancer is a malignant tumour. It develops when abnormal cells in the breast invade and destroy normal breast tissue. While it occurs mostly in women, men can also develop breast cancer.
Early‑stage breast cancer is carcinoma in situ. Cancer cells are confined within the breast ducts or breast lobules and have not spread to other breast tissues or other organs of the body. It is therefore also known as non‑invasive breast cancer.
Nevertheless, breast cancer cells may spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to the axillary lymph nodes and other organs and tissues such as the lungs, bones, liver and brain. In severe cases, it can be life‑threatening. Breast cancer that has spread is called invasive breast cancer.
Common Types of Breast Cancer:
- Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS): Lesions are confined to the breast ducts with no spread.
- Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS): Lesions are confined to the breast lobules with no spread.
- Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC): Cancer cells originate in the breast ducts, break through the duct walls, invade other breast tissues, and may spread to other body organs.
- Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC): Cancer cells originate in the breast lobules and may spread to other body organs.
Greater awareness enables early detection of breast cancer, which leads to better treatment outcomes. It can not only lower treatment costs but also prevent physical‑mental harm and emotional distress caused by treatment. Hence, paying attention to breast cancer is something all Chinese women should take seriously! negative side effects of treatment.