Angiosarcomas
Angiosarcomas are rare breast tumors that primarily affect younger women, accounting for less than 1 percent of all primary breast malignancies. Symptoms of breast angiosarcoma include breast wall thickening, rash-like appearance, and skin discoloration. Some studies indicate that radiation therapy used to treat previous cancers might contribute to the development of certain angiosarcomas. Treatment options for angiosarcomas encompass surgery and chemotherapy.
Cystosarcoma Phyllodes
Cystosarcoma Phyllodes tumors can be either benign or cancerous. It is often challenging for physicians to differentiate between the two, as they can feel similar during a physical examination and appear on imaging exams like a common benign growth. If cancerous, Cystosarcoma Phyllodes tumors grow rapidly to a large size, but these cancers seldom spread beyond the breast. Surgery is the most common treatment for Cystosarcoma Phyllodes.
Enlarged Axillary Lymph Nodes
Lymph nodes generate lymph, a fluid made of white blood cells, to combat infections detected in the body. Axillary lymph nodes, located in the armpit, can become swollen or enlarged when the body senses a threat. Enlarged axillary lymph nodes can be an indicator of breast cancer, but they may also result from other conditions, such as a cold or injury.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer is a type of cancer that resembles breast infection but does not respond to antibiotics. This aggressive form of breast cancer can spread rapidly through the lymphatic system. While inflammatory breast cancer was once nearly always fatal, medical advancements have significantly improved prognosis. The typical treatment for inflammatory breast cancer involves chemotherapy, followed by surgery and radiation therapy.
Locally Advanced Breast Cancer
Locally advanced breast cancers have spread beyond the breast to the chest wall, breast skin, or nearby lymph nodes, but not to other internal organs. These cancers are treated with a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
Male Breast Cancer
Men can also be diagnosed with breast cancer. The American Cancer Society estimated around 297,790 new cases of invasive breast cancer in 2023. Male breast cancer is more likely to affect men over 60 and, as with many instances of breast cancer in women, is often diagnosed after detecting a breast lump. Treatment for male breast cancer usually involves removing the breast, with radiation therapy and chemotherapy as additional treatment.
Medullary Breast Cancer
Medullary breast cancers manifest as dense, well-defined tumors distinct from surrounding normal breast tissue. These cancers are more common in younger women and, despite appearing aggressive under a microscope, generally have a better prognosis than similarly sized, high-grade ductal breast cancers. Treatment for medullary breast cancers may include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
Metaplastic Breast Cancer
Metaplastic breast cancers are aggressive and capable of rapid growth. They are also likely to be triple-negative, meaning they will not respond to hormonal therapy. Due to their unique characteristics, metaplastic breast cancers can be challenging to diagnose. These cancers are typically treated with a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
Paget’s Disease
Women with Paget's disease often experience scaly skin and persistent itching around their nipples. Although many women initially consult a dermatologist for this issue, it is a breast cancer that affects the nipple ducts. Paget's disease is often associated with additional tumors within the breast. Treatment for Paget's disease typically involves surgical removal of the nipple-areolar complex, combined with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy, depending on various personal factors.
To enable the scientists to find further research into the area of rare breast cancers we would like to raise $5000 as a team. The more research the do on rare breast cancers like these examples above, the early we are able to diagnose and treat the particular cancer.
