Overview of Breast Cancer in situ
In order to diagnose breast cancer in situ, a pathologist examines a biopsy specimen under the microscope. The diagnosis of breast cancer in situ implies that the biopsy shows a non-invasive or pre-malignant condition that is not an invasive cancer. Breast cancer in situ is classified as either ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) , arising from ductal epithelium, or lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) (LCIS), arising from the epithelium of the lobules. With the increasing use of screening mammography, non-invasive cancers (DCIS and LCIS) are more frequently diagnosed and now constitute 15 to 20 percent of all breast cancers.
Other Types of Breast Cancer
Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma (IDC): cancer has spread outside the milk duct
Infiltrating Lobular Carcinoma (ILC): cancer has spread outside lobe. Eighty-six percent of breast cancers starts in ducts, while 12 percent start in the lobes.
Inflammatory: often mistaken for infection
Paget's disease: characterized by itchiness and scaling
Tubular: cancer cells look like little tubes
Medullary: cancer resembles the color of brain tissue
Mucinous: infiltrating ductal cancer that makes mucus
Papillary: cells that stick out in little papules, or fingerlike projections
Metaplastic: type of invasive breast cancer where a portion of the tumor's cells tramforms into an alternate shape
Phyllodes tumor: resemble fibrous tumors and can be benign, borderline or malignant Benign conditions
Want to learn more?
Call the Hotline and speak with someone who's been there. The Hotline Match Program will arrange for you to speak with a breast cancer survivor who has had the same diagnosis or has faced the same important issues as you.
24-hour Breast Cancer Network of Strength National Breast Cancer Hotline
1-800-221-2141 (English)*
1-800-986-9505 (Español)
*Interpreters available in 150 languages
** All information courtesy of Breast Cancer Network of Strength.