Breast changes in a patient must be examined by a physician as soon as possible. For a questionable lump, the physician will order tests to determine if it is either a malignant breast tumor or a benign breast condition.

It is now estimated that over 211,000 women will be diagnosed with a malignant breast tumor in a year’s time. A malignant cancer begins when cells start growing out of control, no longer normally dividing to repair old or injured cells, but replacing the normal cells in an area of the body with their abnormal ones. These out of control cells reproduce more abnormal cells, which may later travel to other parts of the body and start replacing the normal cells in that region also (called a metastasis). It has now been determined that cancerous cells have damaged DNA, whether inherited from a relative or caused by something in the person’s environment. This damaged DNA affects the genes called “oncogenes” which are responsible for cell division, making them go into abnormal cell production. Usually these cancerous cells form a tumor, as in this case, a malignant breast tumor.

Together with the fatty tissue, each breast is divided into 15 to 20 sections (called lobes) which are then further divided into lobules. Because the lobes and lobules are connected by thin tubes called ducts, cancer in these ducts is called ductal cancer and is the most common type of malignant breast tumor (about 75% of all breast cancers are ductal carcinomas). Cancer that develops in the lobes or lobules is called lobular cancinoma. There are several other types of breast cancers that are not so common. One type, inflammatory breast cancer, is characterized by changes in the skin of the breast and is particularly aggressive.

After a biopsy and a sample of tissue is sent to a pathologist, he examines it under a microscope and is able to tell what type of breast tumor it is, whether it is malignant or benign. If it is determined to be of the malignant type, the pathologist will also establish whether it is the invasive type that will move into the lymph nodes or into other organs and areas of the body. This information is crucial in the determination of treatment for the patient.

A breast tumor may also be determined to be benign, not malignant. This is a very common condition with many different forms which physicians often explain. Because this condition will not spread and become life-threatening, surgery may not be indicated. The doctor will often ask the patient to return for a follow-up appointment only in a few months.