Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. It usually occurs in the breast tissue and is a type of cancer called "adenocarcinoma", which means that the cancer cells originate from the glandular tissue. There are also other types, such as sarcomas that originate from muscle, fat or connective tissue. Based on the histopathologic type of breast cancer, breast cancer is classified into two broad categories: breast cancer in situ and invasive cancer.
Breast cancer is classified based on where it starts, how it behaves, and its molecular features.
Common Types
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)
Non-invasive cancer confined to the milk ducts.Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)
Most common type; cancer spreads beyond the ducts into surrounding tissue.Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC)
Starts in lobules and can spread more diffusely within the breast.
Less Common Types
Inflammatory breast cancer
Paget disease of the nipple
Medullary, mucinous, tubular carcinoma
Molecular Subtypes (based on receptors)
Hormone receptor–positive (ER/PR+)
HER2-positive
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)
Stages
Breast cancer staging describes how advanced the disease is, using the TNM system (Tumor size, lymph Nodes, Metastasis).
Stage 0 – Non-invasive (DCIS)
Stage I – Small tumor, no or minimal lymph node involvement
Stage II – Larger tumor and/or limited lymph node spread
Stage III – Locally advanced disease with extensive lymph node involvement
Stage IV – Metastatic breast cancer (spread to organs such as bone, liver, lung, or brain)
Risk Factors
Several factors increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer:
Non-modifiable
Female sex
Increasing age
Family history of breast or ovarian cancer
Genetic mutations (e.g.BRCA1, BRCA2)
Early menarche or late menopause
Modifiable
Obesity
Alcohol consumption
Physical inactivity
Hormone replacement therapy
Late or no pregnancy
Symptoms
Early breast cancer may be asymptomatic. Common signs include:
Painless breast lump or thickening
Change in breast size or shape
Skin dimpling or puckering
Nipple inversion or discharge (especially bloody)
Redness or scaling of nipple or breast skin
Swelling of lymph nodes in the armpit or collarbone area
Diagnosis
Diagnosis usually involves a combination of clinical, imaging, and pathological tests.
Clinical Assessment
Breast self-examination
Clinical breast examination by a doctor
Imaging
Mammography(screening and diagnosis)
Breast ultrasound
Breast MRI(high-risk patients or complex cases)
Tissue Diagnosis
Core needle biopsy
Fine needle aspiration
Surgical biopsy
Additional Tests
Hormone receptor status (ER, PR)
HER2 testing
Genetic testing (selected patients)
Facts (FAQ)
Q1: Is breast cancer preventable?
Not entirely, but risk can be reduced through lifestyle modification and regular screening.
Q2: Is breast cancer fatal?
Survival depends on stage and subtype. Early detection significantly improves outcomes.
Q3: Do all breast lumps require biopsy?
Not all lumps are cancerous, but persistent or suspicious lumps require evaluation.
Q4: Can breast cancer recur after treatment?
Yes. Long-term follow-up is essential to detect recurrence early.
Q5: Is screening important even without symptoms?
Yes. Many early breast cancers are asymptomatic and detected only through screening.














































