There is a whole new language you will learn once diagnosed with breast cancer. We have listed links to some excellent glossaries and descriptions, but before you get started, we have provided some basic terms for you to get you on your way.
Types of Breast Cancer
DCIS – Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
Ductal Carcinoma In Situ is the earliest form of ductal breast cancer. Cells have been identified within the milk ducts as cancerous, but have yet to leave those contained areas. These patients have an excellent prognosis and multiple treatment options based upon their personal needs.
IDC – Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, also known as infiltrating ductal carcinoma, is the most common form of breast cancer. This cancer starts as cells in the milk ducts and spreads to the other breast tissues. Over time, it can also spread beyond the breast.
LCIS – Lobular Carcinoma In Situ
Lobular Carcinoma In Situ is the earliest form of lobular breast cancer. LCIS is a condition where abnormal cells are found in the lobules of the breast. LCIS is highly treatable and seldom becomes invasive cancer. However, having LCIS in one breast increases the risk of developing breast cancer in either breast.
ILC – Invasive Lobular Carcinoma
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma is the second most common type of breast cancer. This cancer starts in the milk-making lobules which empty out into the ducts that carry milk to the nipple. ILC is more common in older women, but not exclusively. Left untreated, this cancer can spread outside the breast.
IBC – Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Inflammatory Breast Cancer is a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, about 1% of all breast cancer cases in the United States are inflammatory breast cancers. IBC tends to grow and spread quickly, with symptoms worsening within days or even hours.
Learn More: BreastCancer.org – Types of Breast Cancer
Male Breast Cancer
Breast cancer in men is rare. Less than 1% of all breast cancers occur in men. In 2021, about 2,650 men are expected to be diagnosed with the disease. Men, just like women, are born with breast tissue and can develop breast cancer.
Receptors
Your pathology report will include the results of a hormone receptor assay, a test that tells you whether or not the breast cancer cells have receptors for the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
ER/PR (Estrogen/Progesterone Receptors)
Most breast cancers are ER+ and PR+. That means that the cancer cells have receptors that respond to estrogen and progesterone. You will probably need some kind of hormone therapy that blocks your body’s hormones and lowers your risk for cancer recurrence.
HER2
In about 25% of breast cancers, the HER2 gene does not work correctly and makes too many copies of itself. HER2 positive breast cancers tend to grow faster and are more likely to spread. But there are medicines specifically for HER2 positive breast cancers showing very positive results.
Stages
Most cancers are described by stages numbered 0 to 4. The higher the number, the more advanced the disease.
Stage 0
Commonly referred to as DCIS, the cancer cells are still within the milk ducts. Also called noninvasive cancer.
Stage 1-3
See BreastCancer.org for complete detail.
Stage 4
Often referred to as metastatic cancer. Cancer cells from the breast have spread to other parts of the body including the lungs, liver, brain, and bones.
Additional Resources
- Breast Cancer Hormone Positive Receptors
- Breast Cancer HER2 Receptor
- Breast Cancer Symptoms
- Breast Cancer Surgeries
- Breast Cancer Treatment
Comprehensive Glossary: Visit Komen.org.
Breast Cancer Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| BC | Breast Cancer |
| BX | Biopsy |
| SNB | Sentinel Node Biopsy |
| DX | Diagnosis |
| IBC | Inflammatory Breast Cancer |
| IDC | Invasive Ductal Carcinoma |
| ILC | Invasive Lobular Carcinoma |
| DCIS | Ductal Carcinoma In Situ |
| LCIS | Lobular Carcinoma In Situ |
| ALND | Axillary Lymph Node Dissection |
| LN | Lymph Node |
| LX | Lumpectomy |
| MX | Mastectomy |
| UMX | Unilateral Mastectomy |
| BMX | Bilateral Mastectomy |
| DMX | Double Mastectomy |
| DIEP | Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator |
| METS | Metastatic |
| MBC | Metastatic Breast Cancer |
| SE | Side Effect |
| WBC | White Blood Count |
| RBC | Red Blood Count |
| LE | Lymphedema |
| PICC Line | Peripherally Inserted Central Line |
| PORT | Port-a-cath |
| Mammo | Mammogram |
| RADS | Radiation/Radiotherapy |
| PCR | Pathological Complete Response |
| NED | No Evidence of Disease |
| NEAD | No Evidence of Active Disease (Stage 4) |
| Onc | Oncologist |
| PS | Plastic Surgeon |
| BS | Breast Surgeon |
| NP | Nurse Practitioner |
| PCP | Primary Care Physician |
| BRCA | BRCA1 and BRCA2 (Breast Cancer genes) |
| SX | Surgery |
| PO | Post Op |
| ER- | Estrogen Receptor Negative |
| PR- | Progesterone Receptor Negative |
| TNBC | Triple Negative Breast Cancer |
| ER+ | Estrogen Receptor Positive |
| HR+ | Hormone Receptor Positive |
| HER2+ | HER2 Positive |
| TAC | Chemo: Taxotere/Adriamycin/Cytoxin |
| AC | Chemo: Adriamycin and Cyclophosphamide |
| TC | Chemo: Taxotere/Cyclophosphamide |
| TCHP | Chemo: Taxotere/Carboplatin/Herceptin/Perjeta |
| NEO | Neo-adjuvant |
| ADJ | Adjuvant |