Triple-negative breast cancer is a term used to describe breast cancers that do not show expression of three common markers: Estrogen receptor (ER). Progesterone receptor (PR). HER2 (also called ERBB2). These three markers are important because they are often used to guide treatment. Breast cancers that are ER-positive, PR-positive, or HER2-positive can be treated with …
Read More »
Metaplastic carcinoma is a rare and aggressive type of breast cancer. It develops when cancer cells from the breast change their appearance and begin to resemble other types of cells. For example, the tumour may contain: Squamous cells (flat cells normally found on the surface of the skin and lining surfaces of the body). Spindle-shaped …
Read More »
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are tumor suppressor genes. This means they normally help prevent cancer by repairing damaged DNA and regulating cell growth. When either of these genes is mutated (changed), cells are more likely to grow in an uncontrolled way, which can lead to cancer. These mutations can be inherited from a parent and are …
Read More »
A malignant phyllodes tumour is a rare type of breast cancer that starts in the stroma (connective tissue) of the breast rather than the milk ducts or lobules. It is part of a group of tumours called fibroepithelial tumours, which have both stromal and epithelial (lining cell) components. The word phyllodes means “leaf-like” and refers …
Read More »
The residual cancer burden (RCB) index measures the amount of cancer remaining in the breast and nearby lymph nodes after neoadjuvant therapy (treatment given before surgery). The index is used for the most common types of breast cancer, including invasive ductal carcinoma, invasive lobular carcinoma, invasive apocrine carcinoma, and invasive breast carcinoma (not otherwise specified). The index combines several pathologic …
Read More »
Invasive breast carcinoma (not otherwise specified) is the most common type of breast cancer. It starts in the cells lining the ducts of the breast and invades surrounding breast tissue. This type of cancer is often referred to as invasive ductal carcinoma. It is the most common form of breast cancer. The diagnosis of invasive …
Read More »
Encapsulated papillary carcinoma is a non-invasive type of breast cancer. “Non-invasive” means that the cancerous cells are confined to where they started and have not spread to nearby breast tissue. This type of tumour behaves similarly to another non-invasive breast cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which also has a low risk of spreading. …
Read More »
Invasive apocrine carcinoma is a type of breast cancer. This type of breast cancer is made up of large pink cells that resemble the cells typically found in apocrine-type sweat glands in the skin. Invasive apocrine carcinoma is a rare type of cancer, representing approximately 1% of all breast cancers. What are the symptoms of …
Read More »
Paget’s disease is a non-invasive type of breast cancer that involves the nipple and surrounding skin. It is considered non-invasive because the tumour cells are limited to a layer of the skin called the epidermis. Most tumours are believed to start in channels called ducts that run from the nipple to glands deep in the breast. …
Read More »
A borderline phyllodes tumor is an uncommon breast tumor that arises from the stroma (supportive connective tissue) within the breast. It has characteristics that fall between benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) phyllodes tumors. Borderline phyllodes tumors grow faster and have a greater likelihood of recurrence than benign tumors, but they typically do not spread to …
Read More »
