About Breast Cancer

Benign Breast Disease — Allison A. Aggon, DO, FACOS, Assistant Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology, surgical practice is focused exclusively on patients with breast cancer, those at high risk for it, and those with complex benign breast conditions.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, regardless of race or ethnicity.

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that has grown into surrounding tissues in the breast. It can spread (metastasize) to the lymph nodes and to distant areas of the body. The disease occurs predominantly in women, but men can develop breast cancer, too.

The Primary Types of Breast Cancer^*

Ductal Carcinoma (DCIS and IDC)

The most common type of breast cancer. It begins in the lining of the milk ducts (thin tubes that carry milk from the lobules of the breast to the nipple). Ductal carcinoma may be either ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or invasive ductal carcinoma. DCIS is a noninvasive condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lining of a breast duct and have not spread outside the duct to other tissues in the breast.

Lobular Carcinoma (LCIS and ILC)

Cancer that begins in the lobules (milk glands) of the breast. Lobular carcinoma may be either lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or invasive lobular carcinoma. LCIS is a noninvasive condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lobules of the breast. LCIS rarely becomes invasive cancer, but having LCIS in one breast increases the risk of developing invasive cancer in either breast.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)

A type of breast cancer in which the breast looks red and swollen and feels warm. The skin of the breast may also show the pitted appearance called peau d'orange (like the skin of an orange). The redness and warmth occur because the cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)

Describes breast cancer cells that do not have estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, or large amounts of HER2/neu protein. Also called ER-negative PR-negative HER2/neu-negative breast cancer.