Types of Breast Cancer

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) we understand the impact that a breast cancer diagnosis can have not only on your life, but also on the lives of those around you. From learning and understanding the language associated with cancer, to making decisions about the treatment facility you will receive treatment from, a cancer diagnosis impacts every aspect of your life. With all that is going on, it is normal to feel overwhelmed. That is why the specialists at CTCA work with you, and those close to you, to help understand your breast cancer diagnosis, treatment options and what to expect, in addition to helping you realize that you are in the best position to help yourself and your family.

At CTCA you will find a multi-disciplinary cancer center dedicated to helping you regain control of your life and your health. You will work with a dedicated team of cancer specialists who will respect and listen to your unique needs and requests, working with you to create a breast cancer treatment plan that best suits your needs.

Delivered in an environment designed to help you focus on healing, your team of experts will provide you with a variety of conventional treatment options as well as new, innovative complementary and alternative treatment options designed to help create a comprehensive treatment plan that treats all of you, not just your breast cancer.

If you would like to learn more about our approach to treating breast cancer, please call us at 800-615-3055 and speak with one of our Oncology Information Specialists. They are available 24 hours a day 365 days a year to answer your questions about our treatment facilities and options. You can also Chat With Us Online about our treatment options and facilities.

Information on Different Types of Breast Cancer

It is important to know what type of breast cancer you have, because treatments can differ based on type. At CTCA we will work with you to help you not only understand the type of breast cancer you have, but also the treatment options that best suit your needs. Different types of breast cancer include:

• Infiltrating Breast Cancer - Infiltrating breast cancer, also referred to as invasive breast cancer, breaks through normal breast tissue barriers and invades nearby areas. This is one of the types of breast cancer that can spread to other parts of the body through your lymph nodes and bloodstream.
• Pre-Invasive Breast Cancer (ductal carcinoma in situ) - Confined to ducts or lobules, pre-invasive breast cancer does not typically spread to the surrounding breast tissue or other parts of the body. The cells have typical cancer features, but are limited to the inside of the milk ducts within the breast. Inside those ducts, the cancer cells divide, multiply and spread up and down the ducts, but they do not invade through the duct walls or appear to move into the blood. However, pre-invasive types of breast cancer can increase your risk of developing one of the invasive types of breast cancer.
• Inflammatory Breast Cancer - One of the types of breast cancer that causes the breast to swell, feel warm, and appear red is referred to as inflammatory breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer may also cause the skin to have a pitted appearance like orange skin.
• Paget's Disease - Paget's disease is one of the rarest types of breast cancer. This disease begins in the ducts of the breast and then spreads to the nipple and areola skin. The skin in those areas usually becomes irritated, the nipple can appear crusty and there may also be bloody discharge.
• Types of Metastatic Breast Cancer - Simply put, metastatic breast cancer is one of the types of breast cancer that spreads to other parts of your body.
• Recurrent Breast Cancer - Cancer that returns to your body after you have already been treated for breast cancer is referred to as recurrent breast cancer. Even after treatment, it is possible that some types of breast cancer may come back in the chest wall, breast, or other areas of your body.

Treating the Different Types of Breast Cancer

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America, we believe in a personalized approach to treating the various types of breast cancer. This personalized approach to treating the different types of breast cancer allows us to ensure that you and your healing are always at the center of our hearts, minds and actions. We will rally our team of dedicated experts around you to deliver compassionate, integrative cancer care for your body, mind and spirit. Our team of experts will work with you to create a breast cancer treatment plan that integrates traditional cancer treatments with the most advanced complementary and alternative medicines, creating a comprehensive treatment plan all delivered under one roof.

Some of the traditional treatments used to treat the different types of breast cancer include:

• surgery
• radiation therapy
• chemotherapy
• and hormone therapy

Some of the complementary therapies we offer to treat different types of breast cancer include:

• nutrition
• naturopathy
• mind-body medicine
• physical therapy
• pain management

If you would like to learn more about CTCA and our innovative treatment centers, please call us at 800-615-3055 to speak with one of our Oncology Information Specialists. They can help provide you with more information about the different types of breast cancer and if CTCA may be the right treatment facility for you.

Additional Cancer Information and Resources