Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSubtypesType-Specific TreatmentTypes and StagingDiagnostic Challenges
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Subtypes
Type-Specific Treatment
Types and Staging
Diagnostic Challenges
Breast cancer can be classified as invasive or noninvasive. Types of breast cancer include invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), and Paget disease of the breast.
Subtypes of breast cancer are also based on whether the cancer cells have hormone receptors or human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) receptors.
Types of Breast Cancer: Most to Least Common
Breasts are composed of several different types of tissue. Most breast cancers originate in glandular tissue, which includes the breast lobes, lobules, and ducts.
Breast cancer can be categorized as invasive or noninvasive (in situ. meaning in the original place):
Breast cancer can affect people of any sex, but it is higher in females. Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women in the United States.It affects 1 in 726 men.Approximately 1% of all cases occur in males aged 60 to 70.
A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them. Discuss your risk of breast cancer with a healthcare provider to ensure you get appropriate screenings.
A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them. Discuss your risk of breast cancer with a healthcare provider to ensure you get appropriate screenings.
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)
Invasive ductal carcinomais also referred to as invasive breast cancer or as infiltrating carcinoma. IDC originates in the milk ducts of the breast. This type of cancer accounts for up to 80% (8 in 10) of all invasive breast cancers.IDC is the most common type of breast cancer diagnosed in males.
Ductal carcinoma starts out as a noninvasive, stage 0 precancer (ductal carcinoma in situ). Thanks to early detection, 1 in 5 new breast cancers are discovered at this early stage.
IDC has less common subtypes. Each accounts for under 5% of all breast cancers and include:
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)
Triple-negative breast canceris an aggressive form of invasive breast cancer. About 10% to 15% of all invasive breast cancers are of this type.
TNBC cancer cells do not have receptors for estrogen (ER) or progesterone (PR). These cells don’t manufacture significant amounts of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, a type of protein. Because these cells are “negative” for all three of these markers, cancers that originate in them are referred to as triple-negative.
Triple-negative breast cancer is more challenging to treat due to its faster growth and fewer treatment options.
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC)
Invasive lobular carcinoma accounts for around 10% (1 in 10) of all invasive breast cancers.
ILC originates in the cells found in breast lobules. Lobules are breast glands that manufacture milk during pregnancy and lactation. It is estimated that around 1 in 5 females diagnosed with ILC have cancer in both breasts.
Like ductal carcinoma, lobular carcinoma may be diagnosed as a precancer in stage 0.Lobular carcinoma in situ(LCIS) does not spread outside of the lobules, but it does increase your risk of getting breast cancer in either breast.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)
Inflammatory breast canceris a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer. IBC accounts for 1% to 5% of all breast cancers.
IBC is technically a form of invasive ductal carcinoma. However, its symptoms and outlook are different. It also requires different types of treatment.
Paget’s Disease of the Breast
Paget’s disease of the breastcan affect people of any sex but is more common in females. It’s associated with 1% to 4% of all breast cancer cases.
It is unclear whether this condition is generated independently or if the cancerous cells in ductal carcinoma tumors travel through the milk ducts to the nipple and areola.
Phyllodes Tumors of the Breast
Phyllodes tumorsaccount for less than 1% of all breast cancer cases.The cells in phyllodes tumors grow in a leaflike pattern. This type of breast cancer originates in the breast’s connective tissue (stroma).
Angiosarcoma of the Breast
Angiosarcoma of the breastis a very rare and aggressive form of breast cancer that accounts for 0.1% to 0.2% of all cases.It originates in lymph vessels or in the cells that line blood vessels. Angiosarcoma of the breast can start in the breast and the skin of the arm.
The two types are:
Breast Cancer Subtypes in Females
Breast cancer types may also be grouped into hormone receptor (HR) status. This helps your cancer team better determine the types of treatments needed.
Breast cancers that are hormone receptor-positive (HR-positive, sometimes appearing as HR+) are tumor cells that contain receptors for estrogen or progesterone. Both of these hormones may escalate hormone HR-positive tumor growth.
While HER2 refers to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, HER2-positive breast cancer tumor cells manufacture the HER2/neu protein. The presence of this protein is associated with some forms of aggressive breast cancer.
If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, animmunohistochemistry testwill be done to determine if the cancer cells contain estrogen and progesterone receptors.
These are the HR breast cancer subtypes, ranked from most common to least common:
How Treatment Changes Based on Breast Cancer Types
The type of cancer and its stage will determine the kinds of treatments recommended. The goal of treatment may be cure or remission.
Some treatments are used for multiple types of breast cancer, including invasive ductal carcinoma, triple-negative breast cancer, and invasive lobular carcinoma. Several treatments may be used together. They include:
Breast Cancer Types and Staging
Breast cancer stagesrange from 0 to 4. The stage of cancer at diagnosis greatly influences treatment.
The assignment of stage for breast cancer is complex and includes these factors:
The American Cancer Society recommends you discuss the cancer stage assigned with your healthcare provider.Different combinations of factors can result in the same stage, and this can mean different treatments are recommended.
Diagnostic Challenges in Certain Types of Breast Cancer
Some forms of breast cancer, such as inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), may be harder to diagnose than more common types. IBC is sometimes misdiagnosed because its symptoms mimicmastitisor other types of breast infections.A missed diagnosis can give the cancer time to spread.
Summary
25 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for breast cancer in men.American Breast Cancer Foundation.Guide to breast cancer.National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.Breast cancer facts and stats.Johns Hopkins Medicine.About breast cancer in men.American Cancer Society.Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).American Cancer Society.Invasive breast cancer (IDC/ILC).American Cancer Society.Triple-negative breast cancer.National Breast Cancer Foundation.Breast cancer anatomy and how breast cancer starts.American Cancer Society.Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS).American Cancer Society.Inflammatory breast cancer.MD Anderson Cancer Center.What does an early inflammatory breast cancer rash look like?National Cancer Institute.Paget disease of the breast.Breastcancer.org.Cancerous phyllodes tumors of the breast.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Angiosarcoma of the breast.National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.Cancer stat facts: female breast cancer subtypes.American Cancer Society.Surgery for breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Paget disease of the breast.American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy for breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Hormone therapy for breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Treatment of inflammatory breast cancer.MD Anderson Cancer Center.Does immunotherapy treat breast cancer?American Cancer Society.Breast cancer stages.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About mammograms.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Mammography and other screening tests for breast problems.
25 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for breast cancer in men.American Breast Cancer Foundation.Guide to breast cancer.National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.Breast cancer facts and stats.Johns Hopkins Medicine.About breast cancer in men.American Cancer Society.Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).American Cancer Society.Invasive breast cancer (IDC/ILC).American Cancer Society.Triple-negative breast cancer.National Breast Cancer Foundation.Breast cancer anatomy and how breast cancer starts.American Cancer Society.Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS).American Cancer Society.Inflammatory breast cancer.MD Anderson Cancer Center.What does an early inflammatory breast cancer rash look like?National Cancer Institute.Paget disease of the breast.Breastcancer.org.Cancerous phyllodes tumors of the breast.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Angiosarcoma of the breast.National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.Cancer stat facts: female breast cancer subtypes.American Cancer Society.Surgery for breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Paget disease of the breast.American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy for breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Hormone therapy for breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Treatment of inflammatory breast cancer.MD Anderson Cancer Center.Does immunotherapy treat breast cancer?American Cancer Society.Breast cancer stages.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About mammograms.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Mammography and other screening tests for breast problems.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Cancer Society.Key statistics for breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for breast cancer in men.American Breast Cancer Foundation.Guide to breast cancer.National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.Breast cancer facts and stats.Johns Hopkins Medicine.About breast cancer in men.American Cancer Society.Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).American Cancer Society.Invasive breast cancer (IDC/ILC).American Cancer Society.Triple-negative breast cancer.National Breast Cancer Foundation.Breast cancer anatomy and how breast cancer starts.American Cancer Society.Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS).American Cancer Society.Inflammatory breast cancer.MD Anderson Cancer Center.What does an early inflammatory breast cancer rash look like?National Cancer Institute.Paget disease of the breast.Breastcancer.org.Cancerous phyllodes tumors of the breast.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Angiosarcoma of the breast.National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.Cancer stat facts: female breast cancer subtypes.American Cancer Society.Surgery for breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Paget disease of the breast.American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy for breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Hormone therapy for breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Treatment of inflammatory breast cancer.MD Anderson Cancer Center.Does immunotherapy treat breast cancer?American Cancer Society.Breast cancer stages.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About mammograms.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Mammography and other screening tests for breast problems.
American Cancer Society.Key statistics for breast cancer.
American Cancer Society.Key statistics for breast cancer in men.
American Breast Cancer Foundation.Guide to breast cancer.
National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.Breast cancer facts and stats.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.About breast cancer in men.
American Cancer Society.Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).
American Cancer Society.Invasive breast cancer (IDC/ILC).
American Cancer Society.Triple-negative breast cancer.
National Breast Cancer Foundation.Breast cancer anatomy and how breast cancer starts.
American Cancer Society.Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS).
American Cancer Society.Inflammatory breast cancer.
MD Anderson Cancer Center.What does an early inflammatory breast cancer rash look like?
National Cancer Institute.Paget disease of the breast.
Breastcancer.org.Cancerous phyllodes tumors of the breast.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Angiosarcoma of the breast.
National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.Cancer stat facts: female breast cancer subtypes.
American Cancer Society.Surgery for breast cancer.
American Cancer Society.Paget disease of the breast.
American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy for breast cancer.
American Cancer Society.Hormone therapy for breast cancer.
American Cancer Society.Treatment of inflammatory breast cancer.
MD Anderson Cancer Center.Does immunotherapy treat breast cancer?
American Cancer Society.Breast cancer stages.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About mammograms.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Mammography and other screening tests for breast problems.
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