Breast cancer is probably the most well-known malignant tumor, and also one of the most common. In Mexico alone, more than 23,000 new cases are detected each year. Here we explain more about what breast cancer is.

Breast cancer is a tumor that specialists call breast carcinoma, and that develops from a tissue of epithelial origin, that is, a type of cell that is very common in our body.

Like malignant tumors, carcinoma is formed from a group of cancer cells or malignant, which multiply out of control and can spread to other adjacent organs or tissues. When this happens, the cancer is said to have done Metastasis.

It is important for us to know that the breasts consist of three main parts: lobules, breast ducts and connective tissue.

Breast cancer can be divided into various types depending on the characteristics of the breast cells on which it develops, as well as taking into account the degree of extent of the disease and its evolution over time.

However, for our interest, it is necessary to highlight its morphological classification.

Morphological classification of breast carcinoma

Usually, these tumors they develop in glandular tissue of the breast, which is made up of the lobules (the glands that are responsible for making breast milk) and the breast ducts (those responsible for carrying milk to the nipple during breastfeeding).

As we mentioned before, these types of cancer are epithelial origin and are called carcinomas.

However, there are also tumors less frequent that develop from cells with a different origin, such as muscle, fat or connective tissue. These tumors are called sarcomas.

In very rare cases, a tumor may be composed of cells of different origins.

Now, the three types of tumors which occur most frequently, are:

• Invasive or infiltrating ductal carcinoma (ICD).
• Invasive or infiltrating lobular carcinoma (CLI).
• Ductal carcinoma in situ or intraductal carcinoma (DCIS).

Most cases of breast cancer have ductal carcinoma, 70% to 80% of the time. Followed by this is lobular carcinoma, the second most common with a presence between 5% and 7% of all cases.

Next, we will discuss these types of carcinomas in greater detail.

Characteristics of breast carcinomas

Invasive or infiltrating ductal carcinoma (ICD)

This is the most common type of breast cancer., which occurs in approximately 70% and 80% of cases.

It develops from cells of epithelial origin (carcinoma), which line the breast (ductal) ducts inside. It is called invasive or infiltrative because it has spread to other breast tissues.

This type of breast cancer, as its name suggests, “invasive”, has the capacity to Expand toward the lymph nodes and other areas of the body.

It should be noted that Also It is the most common type of breast cancer in Hombres.

Invasive or infiltrating lobular carcinoma (CLI)

It is less common than others, accounting for just under 10% of breast cancer cases.

Like invasive ductal carcinoma, it develops from cells of epithelial origin (carcinoma). However, In this case it's in the lobules (lobular), and it has also spread to surrounding breast tissues (invasive).

This type of breast cancer can affect you regardless of your age, although it tends to develop in older women than invasive ductal carcinoma. It is estimated that it is more common around the age of 60.

Ductal carcinoma in situ or intraductal carcinoma (DCIS)

This is the most common type of non-invasive breast cancer. Similar to invasive ductal carcinoma, it develops from cells of epithelial origin (carcinoma) that line the tubes through which breast milk flows (breast ducts) to the nipple (ductal).

However, unlike the others, It is a tumor that has not yet spread to the surrounding breast tissues. That is to say, It has been kept on site (in situ) and therefore has no capacity (yet) to spread to adjacent lymph nodes or other organs.

Ductal carcinoma in situ is considered It is the earliest form of breast cancer.

Other types of breast cancer

However, there are other types of breast cancer, which are diagnosed less frequently, but they are still totally possible and, of course, you should know them. These are:

Inflammatory breast cancer

It is characterized by being a type of carcinoma in the breast with a biologically aggressive behavior, but it is rare. It is estimated that less than 3% of diagnosed breast cancer cases are related to this type of carcinoma.

It affects the entire breast, causing redness, a higher temperature than normal and accumulation of adipose tissue, also known as orange peel, in a third or more of the skin of the breast.

The symptoms of this carcinoma are due to the presence of malignant cells It obstructs the lymphatic vessels of the breast skin, thus causing it to look inflamed.

This tumor It is fast-growing and is often confused with an infectious process called Mastitis, so it is essential to learn to recognize and differentiate these symptoms in order to carry out a diagnosis that allows you to start appropriate treatment as soon as possible.

Lobular carcinoma in situ (CLIS)

Not to be confused With the invasive lobular carcinoma Or the ductal carcinoma in situ, which we have seen before. This particular carcinoma is due to abnormal cell growth in one or more areas of the lobule.

And, as its name suggests, this one is on site (in situ) and has not been expanded. However, its mere presence indicates that there is a greater risk of developing invasive breast cancer later on.

This invasive breast cancer may or may not develop from the original areas of lobular carcinoma in situ.

This breast cancer is usually diagnosed before menopause, most commonly in women between 40 and 50 years of age. Oddly enough, it is usually diagnosed as a result of a breast biopsy performed for other reasons.

Paget's disease of the nipple

Also known as Paget's breast disease or Paget's disease of the breast. It was first described by James Paget in 1874.

This disease is the result of the accumulation of cancer cells in The nipple or around it. It is characterized by the fact that, generally, the nipple or areola becomes scaly and redden, and itching and irritation also occur.

This is a way very rare of breast carcinoma, but it usually affects women over 50 years of age.

It is not yet known for certain how Paget's disease develops, however, there are two theories.

The first is that cancer cells begin to multiply in the milk ducts of the breast and then reach the surface of the nipple. The second is that the cells in the nipple itself become cancerous.

It is generally associated with the presence of ductal carcinoma in situ, although it is also usually associated with invasive carcinoma.

While this disease is common in women, men can also be affected by it.

Philodes tumor

They are also known as “philoid cystosarcoma”. This class of tumors represents less than 1% of breast tumors, and is in most cases of benign behavior.

Given this, the classification of breast tumors of the World Health Organization recommends using the terms “benign phylodes tumor”, “with low potential for aggression” and “malignant”.

However, all three types of phylloid tumors tend to Grow quickly and usually require surgery to reduce the risk of breast recurrence (local recurrence).

These tumors originate in the connective tissue of the breast. These tumors usually feel to the touch as lumps in the breasts that don't cause pain, although some can.

Phyloid tumors They can appear at any age, although women affected by this type of tumor are usually between 40 and 50 years of age.

In turn, a small percentage of patients metastasize to regional lymph nodes (axilla) and there is also the rare possibility of the tumor spreading to other distant areas of the body.

Because these tumors can return, close follow-up with frequent breast exams and imaging studies after treatment is usually recommended.

The importance of early detection of breast cancer: key tools for early detection

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Taking into account that a carcinoma is a malignant tumor and that it usually occurs through a palpable lump or nodule, we have at hand two ideal tools for early detection: self-examination and clinical screening studies.

Here are some of the ways more useful to find suspicious lumps in the breasts and in time, so that we can act as soon as possible and get a better forecast.

However, it's important to keep in mind that Not all breast lumps are symptoms of cancer. Some may be due to fibrosis or benign tumors.

If you are interested in learning more about it, we have an article dedicated to that topic: I have a small ball in my breast, does that mean I have cancer? Don't forget that ideally, if you notice a lump in your breasts, you should immediately report it to your family doctor.

References:

1. Breast cancer in Mexico (universitidadinsurgentes.edu.mx)
2. What is breast cancer? Types of tumors (geicam.org)
3. Types of Breast Cancer (cancer.org)
4. Phyloid breast tumors (breastcancer.org)