There is no difference between the terms “breast cancer” and “breast tissue cancer.” There are different types of cancers within the breast, such as In situ and invasive cancer. The entire breast, nipple, and internal structures of the breast are all part of the breast tissue. Breast tissue, in its strictest sense, is the culmination of cells of the breast that have similar structure. For instance, cells of the breast ducts would be similar to each other, while cells of the nipple would have similar structure, while the cells of the skin of the breast would be similar to each other, and unique in comparison to other parts of the breast.

There are different types of breast cancer; the most common form of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma. Cancer cells found in different parts of the breast are unique. Under a microscope a cancer cell from a milk duct would look different than a cancer cell from a milk producing gland. The types of breast cancer are In situ and invasive, which will be explained below.

In situ breast cancer is a noninvasive type of cancer. The cancer cells are localized in their place of origin and have not moved to the surrounding tissues. In situ breast cancer occurs within the milk duct or milk gland. Cancer of the milk gland is called lobular carcinoma.The cancer cells in both ductal carcinoma and lobular carcinoma have not moved through the sites of origin or the surrounding tissues. The abbreviation for noninvasive cancer of the milk duct is DCIS, for ductal carcinoma in situ. Thus, the abbreviation for noninvasive cancer of the milk gland is LCIS, for lobular carcinoma in situ.

Invasive breast cancer is cancer that has cancer cells that have moved from their place of origin to the surrounding tissues. Cancer that started in the breast ducts and the milk glands has infiltrated through the lining of these structures and moved to surrounding tissues. Breast cancer cells can metastasize, leaving their place of origin, into other areas of the body. Invasive breast cancer can spread to the lung, liver, brain and bones. The abbreviation for invasive breast cancer of the milk duct is IDC, for invasive ductal carcinoma; the abbreviation for the medical term for invasive breast cancer of the milk gland is ILC, for invasive lobular carcinoma.

Approximately 70 percent of all breast cancers are IDC, invasive ductal carcinoma. The cancer cells in IDC may infiltrate the lining of the milk ducts, but remain near the place of origin, or they can metastasize to other regions of the body. ILC, invasive lobular cancer, occurs less frequently than IDC, but the cancer cells behave in much the same way as in IDC. The cancer cells infiltrate into the surrounding breast tissue and into the blood stream to other parts of the body.

A common place for cancer cells to spread is to the axillary lymph nodes located under the arm. There are more lymph nodes near the breast bone and collar bone, where some invasive cancers can move to. When cancer cells metastasize to the lymph nodes, they stick to them, which can cause clumping of the lymph nodes. The cancer cells can also stick to the chest wall. Cancer can penetrate through the chest wall and work their way out to the skin on the breast.

The more invasive breast cancer is the more severe it is. Because breast cancer tends to worsen as time goes by, its progression has been categorized into stages. Breast cancer is staged at 0, I, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, IIIC, and IV. Stage IV breast cancer has no cure. Surgeries and treatments are more for comfort measures. A woman with Stage IV breast cancer must come to the realization that she has a terminal illness. Her cancer has metastasized to other areas of the body, such as the lungs, liver, brain, and/or bone. The life expectancy of a woman with Stage IV breast cancer ranges from 6 months to 6 years.

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