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Types of breast cancer
The type of breast cancer you have helps determine the best approach to treating the disease. Get the facts on types of breast cancer and how they differ.
By Mayo Clinic staffYour doctor suspects that you have breast cancer. To confirm the diagnosis, a pathologist analyzes a tissue sample (biopsy) taken from the lump or suspicious area in your breast. This will tell if you have cancer or some other, benign condition. If the biopsy does show cancer, the results provide your doctor with information about the type of breast cancer and help determine treatment options.
The biopsy results appear on a pathology report, which provides detailed information including the type of breast cancer, if it's invasive or noninvasive, the tumor grade — how closely the cancer cells resemble normal tissue — if the cancer is sensitive to hormonal therapies and if it has too much of a protein called HER-2.
Sophisticated lab tests can also analyze breast cancer tissue for molecular and genetic features of breast cancer cells. Understanding all these aspects of a cancer helps your doctor tailor your treatment plan.
Common types of breast cancer
The most common types of breast cancer begin either in your breast's milk ducts (ductal carcinoma) or in the milk-producing glands (lobular carcinoma). The point of origin is determined by the appearance of the cancer cells under a microscope.
In situ breast cancer
In situ (noninvasive) breast cancer refers to cancer in which the cells have remained within their place of origin — they haven't spread to breast tissue around the duct or lobule. The most common type of noninvasive breast cancer is ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which is confined to the lining of the milk ducts. The abnormal cells haven't spread through the duct walls into surrounding breast tissue. With appropriate treatment, DCIS has an excellent prognosis.
Invasive breast cancer
Invasive (infiltrating) breast cancers spread outside the membrane that lines a duct or lobule, invading the surrounding tissues. The cancer cells can then travel to other parts of your body, such as the lymph nodes.
- Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). IDC accounts for about 70 percent of all breast cancers. The cancer cells form in the lining of your milk duct, then break through the ductal wall and invade nearby breast tissue. The cancer cells may remain localized — staying near the site of origin — or spread (metastasize) throughout your body, carried by your bloodstream or lymphatic system.
- Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). Although less common than IDC, this type of breast cancer invades in a similar way, starting in the milk-producing lobules and then breaking into the surrounding breast tissue. ILC can also spread to more distant parts of your body. With this type of cancer, you typically won't feel a distinct, firm lump but rather a fullness or area of thickening.
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