Breast cancer is cancerous tissue that originates in the breast. The breast consists of lobules, ducts and fatty and connective tissue as well as blood vessels and lymph vessels. There are basically 2 different kinds of breast cancer, lobular and ductal. While a small percentage of breast cancer originates also originates in the fatty and connective tissue of the breast, most breast cancer develops in the ducts that carry the milk from the lobules that produce it to the nipple.
Breast cancer is classified by both its point of origin in the breast tissue and it’s stage of progression. In the earliest stages breast cancer is referred carcinoma in situ. Carcinoma in situ is the stage where the cancer in still only found in the layer of breast tissue in which it originated. Breast cancer that originates in the ducts is referred to as ductal carcinoma in situ. If the cancer originated in the lobules it is referred to lobular carcinoma in situ. The final and rarest form of breast cancer is sarcoma, which starts in the muscle, fat tissue or blood vessels of the breast.
As the breast cancer develops it spreads from its point of origin to the surrounding tissues and the rest of the body. The breast cancer spreads primarily through the lymph system. From the lymph system the breast cancer can spread to the area around the breast and to the circulatory system. In the circulatory system the cancer cells can spread to all parts of the body through the blood vessels.
There are four stages used by doctors to classify breast cancer. They are:
Stage 0 – Stage 0 is the carcinoma in situ stage.
Stage 1 – Stage 1 is the breast cancer stage where the tumor is under 2 cm and has not spread beyond the breast.
Stage 2 – Stage 2 is the stage where the tumor exists in 1 of 3 states.
- under 2 cm and has spread to the lymph nodes under the are
- between 2cm and 5cm whether or not it has spread to the lymph nodes
- over 5 cm with no spreading to the lymph nodes under the arm
Stage 3 – Stage 3 is the stage where the tumor is over 5 cm and has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm or around the breast. Stage 3 includes inflammatory breast cancer an uncommon type of breast cancer.
Stage 4 – Stage 4 is the breast cancer stage where the cancer has metastasized to other areas of the body. Stage 4 is considered terminal cancer
What is not breast cancer?
It is important to remember that most lumps in breast tissue are benign. They may be abnormal growths but they don’t spread. Most of these lumps are the result of fibrocystic changes. They are most common before a woman’s period starts. They are not cancer but some kinds can increase a woman’s risk of getting breast cancer. If you are at all concerned about changes in the look, feel or condition of you breasts you should consult your physician immediately. Also don’t forget to perform your breast self exam regularly so you can catch any change in you breast early.