At Huntsman Cancer Institute, we have expertise in treating and/or
advising you about all forms of breast conditions and diseases, including:
Benign Breast Problems - A common condition marked by benign (non-cancerous) changes in breast tissue. These changes may include irregular lumps or cysts, breast discomfort, sensitive nipples, and itching. These symptoms may change throughout the menstrual cycle and usually stop after menopause. Also called fibrocystic breast changes, fibrocystic breast disease, and mammary dysplasia.
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) - The most common type of non-invasive breast cancer. It begins in the cells that line the milk ducts in the breast, but has not spread through the walls of the ducts into the surrounding breast tissue.
Lobular Carinoma in Situ (LCIS) - A condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lobules of the breast. LCIS seldom becomes invasive cancer; however, having it in one breast increases the risk of developing breast cancer in either breast.
Infiltrating (invasive) Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) - Cancer that has spread from where it started in the breast into surrounding, healthy tissue. Most infiltrating breast cancers start in the ducts (tubes that carry milk from the lobules to the nipple). IDC can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. About eight out of ten invasive breast cancers are infiltrating ductal carcinomas.
Infiltrating (invasive) Lobular Carcinoma (ILC) - ILC starts in the milk producing glands (lobules). Like IDC, it can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. About one out of ten invasive breast cancers are ILC’s. ILC may be harder to detect by a mammogram than invasive ductal carcinoma.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) - A type of breast cancer in which the breast looks red and swollen and feels warm. The skin of the breast may also look dimpled and pitted, resembling the skin of an orange. The redness and warmth occur because the cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin. The affected breast may become larger or firmer, tender, or itchy. In its early stages, IBC may be mistaken for a breast infection. Because there is no lump, it may not show up on a mammogram.
Paget Disease of the Nipple - A form of breast cancer in which the tumor grows from ducts beneath the nipple onto the surface of the nipple. Symptoms commonly include itching and burning and an eczema-like condition around the nipple, sometimes accompanied by oozing or bleeding. This type of breast cancer is rare, accounting for only about 1% of all cases of breast cancer. It is almost always associated with either ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or with infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC).
Phyllodes Tumor - A type of tumor found in the connective tissue of the breast. These tumors are usually benign but on rare occasion may be malignant. Benign tumors are treated by removing the mass along with a margin of normal breast tissue. A malignant tumor is treated by removing the mass along with a wider margin of normal issue, or by mastectomy.
Other Breast Concerns
- Nipple Discharge - Fluid coming from the nipple, unrelated to lactation. Discharge may appear milky, or slightly yellow, green, bloody, or brown. Cancer is rarely the underlying cause, but it can be related to other conditions that require treatment.
- Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia (ADH) - Non-cancerous condition in which the cells that line the milk ducts of the breasts experience abnormal growth. While ADH is not cancerous, having it may increase the risk for developing breast cancer.
- Hyperplasia - An abnormal growth of cells within an organ or tissue.
- Breast Pain - a common type of discomfort among women. Pain can range from minor to severe, occurring most frequently in younger, premenopausal women. Breast pain alone rarely signifies cancer.
- Fibrocystic Changes - These lumps and bumps can occur in either or both breasts. They are common in women, especially during the reproductive years. Having fibrocystic changes does not increase your risk for breast cancer, but can make it more difficult to screen for breast cancer. Pain or tenderness is often associated with fibrocystic changes.
- Fibroadenomas - Non-cancerous lumps that feel rubbery and are easily movead within the breast tissue. Like fibrocystic changes, they occur most often during the reproductive years. Typically, they are not painful. In rare cases, they can become cancerous.
- Cysts - fluid filled sacs that often feel like soft grapes. They can be tender, especially prior to a menstrual period. Cysts may be drained in the doctor’s office. If the fluid removed is clear or greenish and the lump disappears after drainage, no further treatment is needed. If the fluid is bloody, it is sent to the lab to look for cancer cells. If the lump doesn’t disappear, or recurs, it is usually removed surgically.
Other causes of breast lumps include the following:
- Milk cysts (sacs filled with milk) and infections (mastitis), which may turn into an abscess. These typically occur during breastfeeding or just after childbirth.
- Injury -- sometimes if the breast is badly bruised, there will be a collection of blood that feels like a lump. These lumps tend to get better on their own in a matter of days or weeks. If not, a doctor may have to drain the blood.
- Lipoma -- a collection of fatty tissue.
- Intraductal papilloma -- a small growth inside a milk duct of the breast. In some cases the only symptom is a watery, pink discharge from the nipple. Since a watery or bloody discharge can also be a sign of breast cancer, patients with this symptom should be seen by a doctor.
Sources: National Cancer Institute and American Cancer Society |
