Breast cancer is a malignant tumour that starts in the tissue of the breast. Breast cancer may also occur in males but make up less then 1% of all breast cancer. Breast cancer can be divided into several major stages.
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Early breast cancer
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The majority of women with breast cancer present with early breast cancer which may be either by screening mammography through the National Breast Screen Australia program. Women may notice a change in the breast which leads also to a diagnosis of breast cancer. The vast majority of women present with early stage breast cancer and the results from early treatment are very favourable.
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Locally advanced breast cancer
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This stage refers to patients who have extensive growth of the breast cancer within the breast or the axillary lymph glands but without spread to other parts of the body. This is an uncommon form of presentation and is generally treated more aggressively particularly with chemotherapy prior to surgical and radiotherapy treatment.
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Metastatic breast cancer
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Breast cancer that has travelled from the breast and, to other parts of the body; is designated metastatic breast cancer. There are a number of treatment options for this stage of disease. Metastatic breast cancer usually occurs sometime after treatment of the primary breast cancer although uncommonly, maybe apparent at the time of the women’s initial presentation.
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Pre invasive breast cancer
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This is a form of breast tumour which has not yet become completely malignant. Pre cancerous change, also known as ductal carcinoma in situ or Paget’s disease of the nipple does not have the ability to spread but left untreated in many cases may develop into breast cancer in time. The management of ductal carcinoma in situ and other marker lesions of an increased risk of breast cancer such as lobular carcinoma in situ are managed on an individual basis.
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More information on Breast Cancer Types.
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