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What's the difference between Invasive, In Situ, and Metastatic Breast Cancer?
Both lobular and ductal breast cancers can be either invasive or in situ. But what do these terms mean?
In Situ Cancer (Stage 0/Precancer)
In situ cancer is a condition in which abnormal cells have grown in either the lobules or ducts of the breast. However, these cells have not yet invaded the basement membrane of the breast ducts (DCIS) or the walls of the lobules (LCIS). Therefore, these cells cannot spread to other parts of the body via the lymphatic system or bloodstream. DCIS is classified as a stage 0 cancer. LCIS is not classified as a cancer, but greatly increases your risk of cancer in the future.
To learn more:
DCIS
LCIS
Invasive Breast Cancer (Stages I-IV)
Invasive, or infiltrating breast cancers have invaded the basement membrane of the breast ducts (IDC) or the walls of the lobules (ILC), and therefore have access to blood vessels and/or lymph vessels and the potential to spread to other parts of the body.
To learn more:
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma
Metastatic Breast Cancer (Stage IV)
Metastatic Breast Cancer is a type of invasive breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer occurs when cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body (bone tissue, lungs, liver, etc.) via the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Metastatic Breast Cancer is normally treated with systemic therapies, which are therapies that target cancer cells throughout the entire body rather than solely in the breast. Common types of systemic therapies include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. The type of systemic therapy you receive is usually based on the biomarkers (ER/PR/HER2) that your cancer cells posses.
Click on any of the underlined terms to learn more about them.
Learn more about metastatic breast cancer here.
References: American Cancer Society (2021). Types of Breast Cancer. Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/about/types-of-breast-cancer.html
Breast Cancer.Org. (2024). Treatment for Metastatic Breast Cancer. Retrieved from: https://www.cancercenter.com/carcinoma
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