Let’s understand what is non invasive breast cancer
Non-invasive breast cancer is one of the major types of breast cancer. Non-invasive breast cancer or, in situ breast cancer refers to the presence of cells that grow within areas of the breast, like ducts or lobules without spreading to surrounding tissues. It means that these cells stay in their location and do not infiltrate areas of the breast tissue.
In the stages of invasive breast cancer when abnormal cell growth starts off slowly and is easier to manage than later stages of the disease that involve invasion into neighboring tissues if not addressed promptly.
Various forms of invasive breast cancer exist with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) being the most prevalent type, in most cases noted specifically as abnormal cells confined within the milk duct structures. Timely detection and treatment of invasive breast cancer are vital to impede its advancement further.
It’s important to know about the traits of invasive breast tumors because they play a big role in deciding how to treat them and what the results might be, like for the patient, in the end.
Non-invasive type of breast cancer is divided into two types depending on the location of its origin. Ductal Carcinoma In Situ(DCIS) and Lobular Carcinoma In Situ(LCIS).
As non-invasive breast cancer is the starting phase of growth of abnormal cells it can be easily cured. Therefore this type of cancer if detected early has a higher survival rate compared to invasive breast cancer. The treatments mentioned above contain less harmful methods.
As we can observe that the treatments are less painful similarly the diagnosis is also less painful.
Let’s understand the common types of non invasive breast cancer
Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)
Invasive ductal carcinoma means that the cancer that began in the milk ducts of the breast has broken through the lining of the milk duct and spread into the surrounding breast tissue.
Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
Invasive ductal carcinoma means that the cancer that began in the milk ducts of the breast has broken through the lining of the milk duct and spread into the surrounding breast tissue.
Other subgroups of non-invasive breast cancer are less common. These include:
1. Metaplastic Breast Cancer
2. Low Grade Adenosquamous Carcinoma (LGASC)
3. Secretory Carcinoma
4. Sebaceous Carcinoma
5. Mucinous Cystadenocarcinoma (MCA)
6. Phyllodes Tumors
It is important to understand that not everyone experiences symptoms when diagnosed with non-invasive breast cancer.
The following list includes potential symptoms that are important to be aware of for non-invasive breast cancer :-
1. New lump or thickening in the breast or underarm area
2. Nipple discharge (clear or bloody)
3. Nipple inversion (turning inward) or flattening
4. Nipple tenderness
5. Changes in skin color or texture (dimpling, puckering, scaling, orange peel appearance)
6. Change in breast size or shape
To have one or more of the risk factors doesn’t mean cancer is inevitable, only that the cancer risk is higher.
Non Invasive breast cancer risk factors include:
1. Certain genetic mutations, for example BRCA1 and BRCA 2
2. Age.
3. A family history of the disease or of ovarian cancer
4. Dense breast tissue
5. A previous diagnosis of breast cancer or other breast diseases such as lobular carcinoma in situ or atypical hyperplasia
6. Alcohol consumption
7. Sedentary lifestyle (A “sedentary lifestyle” refers to a way of living that involves very little physical activity or exercise)
8. Excess weight, especially after menopause
9. Certain history with childbearing (not having given birth or having a first child after the age of 30 raises the risk)
10. Use of hormone therapy
While some risk factors can’t be changed, others may be modified with changes to diet and lifestyle habits.
To check for breast cancer there are usually a number of tests to undergo.This tests includes one or more of the following tests:
A breast examination
A mammogram
A breast ultrasound scan
Taking a sample of tissue from your breast called a biopsy
It’s important to understand that most people who attend a breast clinic with symptoms do not have breast cancer.
The treatment you get can be different from other people with invasive breast cancer,as the doctor takes many different factors into account when deciding which treatment is best for your cancer.
The recommended treatment plan depends on several factors such as :-
The type of cells the cancer started in.
The size of the cancer and whether it has spread.
How abnormal the cells look under the microscope.
Whether the cells have receptors for particular cancer drugs.
General health.
Whether you have had the menopause.
Multiple treatment options will be used in combination.The most common treatment options for invasive breast cancer include:-
1. Surgery: A variety of surgical procedures may be used to remove cancer cells and cancerous tissue. Two common surgical approaches include lumpectomy and mastectomy.
2. Radiation therapy: During radiation treatment, high-energy X-rays are used to specifically target and kill cancer cells. External beam radiation, which uses a machine outside the body to deliver targeted doses of radiation, is most commonly used for invasive breast cancer.
3. Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses medication to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. These anti-cancer medications are generally given in cycles over the course of several weeks.
4. Hormone therapy: Also called endocrine therapy, this treatment is designed to stop the growth of cancer cells. It’s only used on tumor types that are dependent on hormones, such as estrogen, to grow. It may be used before surgery to shrink the tumor or after surgery to prevent the cancer from recurring.
5. Targeted therapy: This treatment is designed to target specific genes or proteins that help drive the cancer’s behavior, while—unlike systemic chemotherapy—avoiding damage to healthy cells.Immunotherapy: For some types of breast cancer, immunotherapy may be recommended. This treatment is designed to empower the body’s immune system to recognize cancer cells as harmful and unleash an immune response to kill them.
- American Cancer Society / Non Invasive Breast Cancer
- Cancer Research UK / Non Invasive Breast Cancer
- Cancer Australia / Breast cancer / Stages of non invasive breast cancer