New Breast Cancer Study

Types Of Breast Cancer

Once your doctor has confirmed that you have breast cancer, you will likely undergo further testing to determine what type of breast cancer you have, be it invasive or noninvasive. The most commonly diagnosed types of breast cancer include:
 

• Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. This type of breast cancer originates in the milk ducts. The cancer is considered invasive because it penetrates the walls of the ducts to invade nearby tissue. Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most prevalent type of breast cancer. It accounts for nearly 80% of all invasive occurrences.
• Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS). This refers to ductal cancer in its earliest form, stage 0.  In Situ means that the cancer has not spread from the spot it had originated.  With DCIS, the cancer has started in the milk ducts but has not reached any nearby tissue. DCIS is curable in most cases, however, if left untreated it can develop into invasive cancer.
• Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. This type of cancer originates in the milk producing lobules of the breast. It is considered invasive because the cancer has infiltrated the surrounding tissue or other areas of the body. This type of breast cancer is diagnosed in about 10% of all invasive cases.
• Lobular carcinoma In Situ (LCIS). This form of cancer is located only in the milk producing lobules of the breast. It is not considered a true form of cancer, but rather a marker for the possible development of future cancers. For women diagnosed with LCIS, it is of the utmost importance to have regular check-ups and mammograms to screen for breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Genes

Researchers have worked to identify certain genes related to breast cancer. These genes are oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Oncogenes are genes that influence the development of cancer when activated. Tumor suppressor genes help to prevent cells from progressing to cancer. If this gene is mutated in some way the formation of cancer is possible.

By identifying these 2 genes, researchers will be better able to pinpoint cancer causes and make treatments more specific. The identification of these genes also helped researchers to separate breast cancer into more specific types.

Breast Cancer: Not 1 Disease, But 10

The identification of the activity of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes has helped researchers discover 10 new subtypes of breast cancer. With this revelation doctors will, in the near future, be able to pinpoint more exact breast cancer diagnoses.  With precise diagnosis the ability to treat breast cancer will also be more exact. The 10 separate diseases are identified by their gene activities, specifically, which genes are turned on and which are turned off.

The Next Step In Research

Researchers believe that the next logical step in the war against cancer is to now identify how molecular patterns work to make tumors grow. In identifying the tumor growth process, scientists will then be able to work on the development of new drugs to halt the abnormalities that promote tumor progression. The information gathered from this and future studies will be distributed worldwide to promote the development of new drugs to combat cancer.

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Recent research has led to the discovery of a new classification of as many as 10 subtypes of breast cancer. This new development is essential in the war on breast cancer. The identification of genes responsible for the upstart of cancer is leading to more precise treatments. Research continues to further examine the process of tumor growth with the hope of developing new drugs to correct the faults in cells that progress to tumors.