Breast Cancer

At INTEGRIS Health we can claim more survivors of more types of cancer than anywhere else in Oklahoma.

What are the different types of breast cancer?

There are several types of breast cancer, including:

• The most common type begins in the lining of the ducts and is called ductal carcinoma.
• Another common type, called lobular carcinoma, occurs in the lobules (milk-producing glands).
• Paget's disease is a rare form of breast cancer that begins in the glands in or under the skin. It is often characterized by inflamed, red patches on the skin. The patches can occur in sweat glands, in the groin, or near the anus.

Because Paget's disease often originates from breast duct cancer, the eczema-like cancer usually appears around the nipple.

When breast cancer metastasizes, or spreads outside the breast, cancer cells are often found in the lymph nodes under the arm. If the cancer has reached these nodes, it may mean that cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body.

Cancer that spreads is the same disease and has the same name as the original, or primary cancer. When breast cancer spreads, it is called metastatic breast cancer, even though the secondary tumor is in another organ. This may also be called "distant" disease.

If you'd like more information, please take the time to read more about breast cancer in our health library.

If you're concerned that you may have breast cancer please consult your physician. You can find an INTEGRIS Health physician with our Find a Doctor page. For convenient and complete imaging services, please consider the INTEGRIS Health Southwest Breast Health and Imaging Center in Oklahoma City.