There are several different types of breast cancer. Some are HER2-positive, while others are HER2-negative. HER2-positive cancers often have higher levels of the protein HER2 than their counterparts. They also tend to grow more quickly than HER2-negative cancers. Treatment options for these cancers typically involve using drugs targeting the HER2 protein. About 15 to 20 percent of all invasive breast cancers are HER2-positive.
In most cases, a diagnosis of breast cancer is made by a biopsy of the tumor. In some cases, a doctor may also suspect a lump by palpating the breast. At each stage, the cancer is given a stage, which helps doctors determine what type of treatment to give you and your prognosis. Stage 0 is called ductal carcinoma in situ, and it is classified as an early stage of breast cancer. Depending on the size of the tumor, this type of cancer can measure up to 2 cm in diameter. Usually, it has not spread to the lymph nodes, although it can have small clusters of cancer cells inside them.
A doctor may recommend a lumpectomy in cases where a tumor is small and easily separated from surrounding tissue. Another option for a breast cancer diagnosis is a mastectomy. A mastectomy, or “tumor excision,” removes the breast tissue and lobules, as well as fatty tissue, the nipple, and skin. A lumpectomy may also involve removing a breast muscle and lymph nodes in the chest wall.
When the breast cancer has spread outside the ducts and lobules, it is called an invasive form of the disease. It has spread to the surrounding tissue. Early breast cancer is when the cancer is still contained within the breast, with the only spread being to the armpit or surrounding lymph nodes. These cancers may not have spread anywhere else in the body. So, how do you determine if you have breast cancer?
Typically, you will experience a red or swollen breast in the early stages. The swollen, red breast is inflammatory breast cancer. It accounts for between one and five percent of all cases of breast cancer. Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common type of inflammatory breast cancer. It develops from cells that line the milk ducts. If you have any of these symptoms, it is best to have your breast checked by a health care provider to get a proper diagnosis.
The two most common types of breast cancer are invasive and non-invasive. Invasive ductal carcinoma begins in the milk duct and spreads to the surrounding tissue. Despite its name, invasive ductal cancer often spreads to other parts of the body. The latter type accounts for 5% of all cases of breast cancer. Invasive ductal carcinoma, on the other hand, begins inside the milk duct but doesn’t spread beyond it.
Some forms of breast cancer are caused by genetic defects. Inheritance of BRCA genes increases the risk of developing the disease. Similarly, excessive estrogen exposure and obesity increase the risk of breast cancer. Exposure to radiation and obesity are other risk factors. While they are rare, the risk is still considerable. Even though it is the most common type of cancer in women, there are other types of breast cancer that can be prevented or treated. So, what causes this type of cancer?
