Breast Cancer in California

Table 5.1


Common histologic types of invasive breast cancer


Histology Description
Infiltrating duct carcinoma A general term indicating that the tumor arose in a duct of the breast, without any of the defining features described below; the tumor is generally hard and gritty.
Lobular carcinoma A tumor arising in the lobule of the breast, often infiltrating the surrounding connective tissue in single rows of cells and forming concentric rings of cells around normal ducts; often presents as an area of ill-defined thickening rather than as a discr
Infiltrating duct and lobular carcinoma A tumor containing both duct and lobular components.
Comedocarcinoma A ductal tumor characterized by a central area of necrosis which often produces a cheesy tumorous tissue which can be extruded from the ducts.
Mucinous adenocarcinoma A ductal tumor characterized by the production of mucin, giving the tumor a soft, gelatinous consistency.
Medullary carcinoma Typically a large, discrete, fleshy tumor with specific cytologic and histologic characteristics, often accompanied by intense infiltration with small lymphocytes and plasma cells.
Inflammatory carcinoma Widespread and diffuse redness, swelling and warmth of the skin of the breast due to distension of dermal lymphatics with tumor cells from an underlying tumor, which often cannot be palpated.
Tubular adenocarcinoma A ductal tumor characterized by small, well-formed tubular glands composed of a single layer of tumor cells which infiltrate the connective tissue of the breast; these tumors are often small.
Paget's disease A crusted, scaling, eczema-like lesion of the nipple and areola caused by invasion of the nipple by tumor cells from an underlying mass which often cannot be palpated.
Papillary adenocarcinoma A ductal tumor characterized by cells arranged in large, papillary fronds, often producing a soft, well-circumscribed, discrete mass.


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