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Breast Cancer

Condition Basics

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow out of control in one or both breasts. These cancer cells can spread (metastasize) to nearby tissues and form a mass, called a tumor. The cells can spread within the breast, to nearby lymph nodes, Opens dialog and other tissues, and to other parts of the body.

The most common type of breast cancer starts in the ducts of the breast. It's called ductal carcinoma. The second most common type is lobular carcinoma. It starts in the lobes of the breast.

Some breast cancer is a mix of both ductal and lobular carcinoma.

When abnormal cells in the ducts or lobes of the breast haven't spread, they are said to be noninvasive, or "in situ" (say "in-SY-too"). These include:

Breast cancer can occur in anyone. And it can occur after a breast reduction or a mastectomy. There are also some less common types of invasive breast cancer, such as inflammatory breast cancer, Opens dialog and male breast cancer.

What causes it?

Doctors don't know exactly what causes breast cancer. But some things are known to increase the chance that you will get it, such as your age and health history.

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptom is a painless lump or thickening in the breast or underarm. But early breast cancer is often found on a mammogram before a lump can be felt. The size, shape, or appearance of the breast may also change. Or the nipple may turn in, look scaly, or leak fluid.

How is it diagnosed?

Depending on your age and risk factors, the doctor may recommend that you have an ultrasound or a mammogram, Opens dialog. A mammogram can often find a lump that is too small to feel.

During a regular physical exam, your doctor can check your breasts for lumps or changes. You also may find a lump on your own.

If there are concerns, the doctor will check to see if there is cancer by looking at a sample of cells (biopsy, Opens dialog). The results of the biopsy help your doctor know if you have cancer and what type of cancer it is.

You may have other tests to find out the stage, Opens dialog of the cancer. The stage is a way for doctors to describe how far the cancer has spread.

How is breast cancer treated?

Treatment for breast cancer is based on the type, Opens dialog and stage, Opens dialog of the cancer and other things, such as your overall health. The main treatment is surgery to remove the cancer. Other treatment options may include radiation therapy, Opens dialog, chemotherapy, Opens dialog, endocrine therapy, Opens dialog, or targeted therapy, Opens dialog.

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Current as of: October 25, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

 

PeaceHealth endeavors to provide comprehensive health care information, however some topics in this database describe services and procedures not offered by our providers or within our facilities because they do not comply with, nor are they condoned by, the ethics policies of our organization.