Although Lobular and Ductal Carcinoma are the most common forms of breast cancer, there are other forms of breast cancer that are less common. This page will describe these forms of breast cancer, along with breast cancer in pregnancy. 

1) Paget's Disease 
Paget's disease is a rare kind of breast cancer that involves the nipple and the areola (the ring of pigmented skin surrounding the nipple). Paget's disease is often associated with underlying ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in the breast, or even invasive breast cancer
Treatment: Paget's disease is typically treated with a mastectomy (for those who have underlying DCIS) or a partial mastectomy with radiation (for those who do not have an underlying tumor in the breast). A sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is also common, in order to determine if the cancer has spread to the axillary lymph nodes (the lymph nodes under your arm). If the cancer has spread to the axillary lymph nodes, an axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) will often be necessary in order to remove the lymph nodes that have cancer.
*To learn more about any of these types of treatment, clicked on the underlined treatment names or click on treatment options in the website menu. 


2) Male Breast Cancer 
Male Breast Cancer is extremely rare, but still possible. Those with male breast cancer often present with a mass in the breast, or with bloody nipple discharge. DCIS, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Inflammatory Breast Cancer, and Paget's Disease are all forms of breast cancers that men can present with. 
Treatment: Men will often receive the same treatments that women with the same type of breast cancer receive. Click on the name of the breast cancer you have to learn more about it and its treatment options. 

3) Breast Cancer in Pregnancy
Breast Cancer occurs in 1 in every 3000 pregnancies. Treatment options for breast cancer during pregnancy vary depending on the trimester. 

Treatment Options: 

Surgery: Surgery can be safely performed in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd trimester. 
Click here to learn more about surgery. 

Chemotherapy: Chemo cannot be given in the first trimester, but can be given in the second and third trimesters. 
Click here to learn more about chemotherapy. 

Other Treatments: Other breast cancer treatments, such as hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and radiation therapy, are not typically given during pregnancies, as they may harm the baby. 
To learn more about these treatments, click on their underlined names. 

Even though some treatments cannot be given during pregnancy, most studies have found that women who have breast cancer during their pregnancies have about the same survival outcomes as women who are not pregnant. Therefore, there is no definitive evidence that abortion will improve an woman's overall survival. 
Doctors will often begin safe treatments such as surgery and/or chemotherapy during your pregnancy, and then move on to other therapies after you have had your baby.