Information Regarding DES and Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a dangerous growth of abnormal cells within the breast that causes damage by invading and disrupting healthy breast tissue. However, breast cancer's greatest threat lies in its ability to wantonly spread to other organs in the body. Breast cancer arises from the healthy structures within the breast that are responsible for making (lobules) and delivering (ducts) breast milk to the nipple.
Two important attributes differentiate cancerous cells from healthy tissue. First, cancerous cells are not apoptotic; meaning their growth is unrestricted. Conversely, healthy cells cease growing when they have satisfied their function. Second, cancerous cells are metastatic; meaning they have the ability to spread throughout the body utilizing the circulatory and lymphatic systems. These two characteristics, immortality and metastasis, make cancer dangerous.
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The various types of breast cancer are differentiated by their location and propensity to spread. Some types of cancers include:
- Ductal carcinoma: A cancer that originates in the ducts that carry breast milk to the nipple. When a cancerous cell buildup breaks through the ductal wall, it is labeled invasive or infiltrating. If the cancer has not broken through the ductal wall, it is called "in situ" or DCIS and is considered less serious.
- Lobular carcinoma: A lobular carcinoma originates in the lobules where breast milk is produced. Similar to a ductal carcinoma, when the cancerous cells break through the lobular wall, it is considered invasive or infiltrating. However, a lobular carcinoma in situ, or LCIS, is not considered cancer; rather a marker for future cancer risk.
- Tubular carcinoma: This cancer also originates in the ducts. However, it is slow moving and extremely rare.
- Medullary carcinoma: Is a fast growing cancer that is generally discovered as a lump during a self exam.
- Atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH): This condition is described as occurring when there is a measurable amount of abnormal cells in the breast, but not enough to be considered a carcinoma. ADH is viewed as a marker for future cancer risk.
- Paget's disease: This condition is a non invasive carcinoma that affects the ducts in nipples. While not as serious as an invasive cancer; it can be an indicator of an underlying carcinoma deeper within the breast.
- Inflammatory breast disease is an extremely aggressive, invasive type of cancer that causes lymph blockage. This blockage causes potentially painful swelling and redness of the breast. It is a serious cancer that almost always requires chemotherapy and surgery to be cured.
Contact a Lawyer to Learn More Information
For more information regarding breast cancer and DES-related lawsuits, contact our nationwide firm of Aaron M. Levine & Associates. Schedule a free, no-risk consultation with our firm by calling us toll free at 888-564-9305.
