Breast Cancer

Breast cancer that begins in the breasts’ milk ducts is known as ductal carcinoma. Noninvasive ductal carcinoma, also called ductal carcinoma in situ, remains in the lining of the milk ducts. Invasive ductal carcinoma starts in the ducts but spreads to other areas of the breast or body. Invasive is the most common type of breast cancer.

Symptoms of ductal breast cancer

Invasive ductal breast cancer has the typical signs of breast cancer, including nipple discharge, skin changes on the breast and a noticeable lump. Noninvasive ductal carcinoma usually has no signs or symptoms. That’s why it’s important to have a mammogram and other screenings that detect this type of breast cancer in its early stages.

Ductal carcinoma treatment at Goshen Center for Cancer Care

Surgery, either a lumpectomy or mastectomy, is often the most successful approach to treating ductal carcinoma breast cancer. As a breast-conserving surgery, a lumpectomy removes just the tumor and some surrounding tissue. A complete mastectomy removes the entire breast. Breast reconstruction surgery may follow a mastectomy to rebuild breasts to their original appearance.

It’s also possible to have chemotherapy, radiation or targeted therapy before, after or during surgery.

According to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, about 1 to 5 percent of breast cancers in the U.S. are inflammatory breast cancer. It’s known for being aggressive and progressing rapidly – starting in the milk ducts and spreading in a matter of weeks or months. Inflammatory breast cancer is usually in an advanced stage when diagnosed because it has already spread to the breast skin. The term “inflammatory” reflects the skin involvement.

Inflammatory breast cancer tends to develop at an earlier age than more common forms. Overweight, obese and African-American women have a higher risk of developing it.

Signs of inflammatory breast cancer

Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer are different than more common forms. There typically isn’t a lump, but that’s not always the case. Inflammatory breast cancer symptoms develop quickly and include:

• Increased breast size or firmness

• Inverted nipple

• Redness

• Sensation of heaviness, tenderness, itching, warmth or burning in the breast

• Skin changes resembling an orange peel

• Skin discoloration or thickening

• Swelling

Talk to your doctor if you notice these symptoms, especially if you have a breast infection. The best way to catch breast cancer early is to have annual mammograms. Call (574) 364-4600 or fill out this form to request to schedule your mammogram at the Goshen Retreat Women’s Health Center. 

Diagnosis and treatment

Your doctor will take a tissue sample, or biopsy, to determine if cancer is present. You may need additional testing, such as a CT scan, to diagnose the type and extent of the cancer.

Inflammatory cancer treatment depends on whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Treatment options include:

• Chemotherapy

• Radiation therapy

• Targeted therapy

• Hormone therapy

• Surgery

When breast cancer spreads beyond its original site, it becomes invasive breast cancer. Invasive breast cancer can grow to nearby breast tissue, nearby lymph nodes and distant areas of the body.

Risk factors and symptoms of invasive breast cancer

Knowing the risk factors and symptoms is important in breast cancer prevention. Although breast cancer in men exists, being a woman is the main risk factor.

Other risk factors include:

• Dense breast tissue

• Previous chest radiation therapy

• Early menstruation (periods start before age 12) or late menopause (periods stop after 55)

• Family or personal history of breast cancer

• Exposure to certain chemicals

Along with knowing your risk factor, recognizing the symptoms is also important.

Symptoms include:

• Thickening or hardening of the skin

• A lump

• Swelling of the breast

• Changes in the size, shape or appearance of the nipple or breast

Prevention and treatment that focuses on you

Our specialists take an integrative yet aggressive approach to treating invasive breast cancer. Treatment may begin with surgery and be followed by radiation to remove all traces of cancer. Often, combining several treatment types, such as chemotherapy and hormone therapy, is the best approach. The breast cancer stage helps doctors determine the best treatment option.

Breast cancer that begins in the milk-producing sacs (or lobules) is known as lobular breast cancer or carcinoma. When this cancer has spread beyond the lobules, it is invasive. When it has remained only in the lobules, it is noninvasive. However, noninvasive lobular cancer has a high chance of becoming invasive over time.

Symptoms of lobular breast cancer

Thickened or hardened breast tissue is the main symptom of invasive lobular breast cancer. This thickened mass doesn't have well-defined borders.

Other possible symptoms include:

• Swelling

• Nipple discharge that isn't breast milk

• Skin changes on the breast or nipple

• Change in size, shape or appearance of the breast or nipple

Noninvasive lobular breast cancer has no symptoms and rarely appears on a mammogram. This condition is often diagnosed after performing a biopsy for another reason.

Expert approach to diagnosing and treating lobular breast cancer

A breast biopsy gives your doctor information on the cancer cells so your oncology team can make an informed treatment recommendation for you.

Surgery is the main treatment option for lobular breast cancer. Chemotherapy, hormone therapy and radiation are other possible treatments. Your oncology team can blend naturopathic therapy into your care plan for your entire well-being.

Can men get breast cancer?

Yes. But it's rare. Underlying medical conditions and other risk factors can increase a man’s chance of developing breast cancer.

Known risk factors include:

• Family history of breast cancer

• Radiation exposure to the breast

• Genetic mutations

• High estrogen levels due to obesity, medications, heavy alcohol use or liver disease

• Klinefelter syndrome

• Age 60 or older

Breast cancer prevention for men begins with knowing your risk factors and taking precautionary measures to lower your risk.

Signs of breast cancer in men

A noticeable lump is usually the first sign of breast cancer in men.

Other signs and symptoms include:

• An inverted nipple

• Nipple discharge

• Redness, scaling, dimpling or puckering of the nipple or breast

• Enlarged lymph nodes in the underarm or collar bone area

Sometimes these symptoms, including lumps, don't always indicate cancer. Gynecomastia, a harmless growth of breast tissue, and other conditions can present the symptoms above. It's best to talk to your primary care provider if you have the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

Diagnosing and treating breast cancer in men at Goshen Center for Cancer Care

Treatment for male breast cancer is similar to treating breast cancer in women. The cancer’s stage, your preferences and other factors help your oncology team create a unique treatment plan. To rule out or confirm breast cancer, your doctor may take a tissue sample or biopsy.

If cancer is present in the nipple or breast, your treatment may include:

• Surgery to remove the nipple, areola, breast tissue and lymph nodes

• Chemotherapy

• Radiation

• Integrative therapy

• Naturopathic medicine

Cancer that has not spread from its origin site is called noninvasive breast cancer. 

Know the risk factors and symptoms of noninvasive breast cancer

Breast cancer prevention begins with knowing your risk factors and recognizing the symptoms.

Known risk factors include:

• Being a female

• Caucasian race

• Dense breast tissue

• Previous chest radiation therapy

• Exposure to certain chemicals

If you have risk factors for breast cancer, talk to your primary care provider about cancer screening.

Our approach to stage 0 breast cancer at Goshen Center for Cancer Care

Our model of care for breast cancer is integrative, meaning we come together from different areas of expertise to care for your complete well-being. At Goshen Center for Cancer Care, oncologists, radiology technicians, nurse practitioners and other specialists provide surgery, radiation and hormone therapy to treat stage 0 breast cancer.

Paget's breast cancer, or Paget's disease of the breast, is a rare type of breast cancer that affects the nipple and areola. Because of the condition's visible symptoms, it's often the first sign of more extensive cancer. In fact, most people with Paget's carcinoma have one or more tumors inside the same breast.

Signs and symptoms of Paget's breast cancer

Changes in the nipple and areola are usually the first signs of Paget's disease of the breast.

These changes can show up as:

• Yellowish or bloody nipple discharge

• Pain and sensitivity

• Flattening of the nipple

• Itching, tingling or burning sensation

• Scaling, thickening, flaking or nonhealing ulcers

Dermatitis and eczema can also present some of the symptoms above, so it's best to see your primary care provider and have a screening.

Diagnosing and treating Paget's carcinoma at Goshen Center for Cancer Care

Getting the right diagnosis is the first step to treating the condition. Our experts begin with a biopsy to remove and test potential cancerous cells. You may also need an MRI, CT or mammogram to get a complete diagnosis.

Your oncology team will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan, which can also include surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and hormone therapy.