We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Conditions

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are the Different Types of Breast Adenocarcinoma?

By Doug Bennett
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 9,987
Share

Breast adenocarcinoma is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, behind only skin cancer. Almost all breast cancers begin in the glands of the breast, including ducts and lobules. The term "adenocarcinoma" refers to the glandular nature of these breast cancers. There are three types of breast adenocarcinoma: ductal, lobular and sarcoma.

The first type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma. This is the most common type of breast cancer, originating in the ducts that transport milk from the lobules to the nipples. There are two types of ductal cancer: in situ and invasive.

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is the earliest form of breast adenocarcinoma and is considered a stage 0 cancer. DCIS cells are entirely confined to the duct itself, not having spread outside the walls. With early detection, the cure rate is almost 100 percent for this type of breast adenocarcinoma.

Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) accounts for nearly 80 percent of all breast cancers. IDC cells have spread from their location of origin, the ducts, into the fatty tissue of the breast. Invasive ductal carcinoma cells have the potential to metastasize, or spread throughout the body, via the bloodstream or lymphatic system. This type of cancer is described as stage I, II, III or IV, based on the size of the tumor and the extent to which it has spread.

The second type of breast cancer is lobular carcinoma. This type of breast adenocarcinoma originates in the milk-producing lobules of the breast. There are two types of lobular carcinoma: in situ and invasive.

Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) is not considered an actual cancer; rather, LCIS is an area of abnormal tissue growth, sometimes called lobular neoplasia. LCIS cells are entirely confined within the walls of the lobules. Although LCIS cells are not cancerous themselves, their presence is a risk factor that indicates a higher potential for developing invasive lobular carcinoma. Studies have shown that women who have LCIS are 10-20 percent likely to develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetimes.

Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) represents lobular cancer cells that have spread from the lobules into the fatty tissues of the breast. Like IDC cells, these cancerous cells also have the potential to metastasize. Invasive lobular carcinoma accounts for 10-15 percent of all breast adenocarcinomas. This type of cancer is described as stage I, II, III or IV, based on the size of the tumor and the extent to which it has spread.

Sarcoma is a rare form of breast adenocarcinoma that originates in the connective tissues of the breast. These tissues include muscle, fat and blood vessels. Examples of sarcomas include phyllode tumors and angiocarcinoma.

Invasive breast adenocarcinoma generally is graded on a scale of 1-3. These grades are based on the observed difference between the cancerous cells and the surrounding healthy cells. Grade 3 breast cancer cells represent the largest difference and are considered the most aggressive.

Some types of breast cancers are influenced by naturally occurring female hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone. Breast cancers that utilize estrogen to grow are called estrogen receptor (ER) positive. Those that utilize progesterone to grow are called progesterone receptor (PR) positive. In these cases, hormone blocking medications can be used to slow the growth of the breast adenocarcinomas.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-breast-adenocarcinoma.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.