Breast cancer sub-classifications

Once breast cancer is detected, further tests might be necessary in order to determine its type and how advanced is the disease. This information is vital to decide on the treatment.

Not all breast cancers are the same. There are different types, and sometimes more than one type in a patient. On occasion, as well, the cancer biology changes as the tumor spreads (forms metastasis) to other parts of the body (becomes a metastatic cancer).

Microscopic examination of the tumor is vital to understand its chance of metastasis, and choose the most efficient treatment.  

Ultimately, this is the only exam that can determine if a tumor is benign or malignant.

Next are presented some classifications that help determine the cancer’ prognosis (it likely medical future)

• tumor grade , 
• Response (or sensivity) to hormones ,
• Growth in the presence of  HER2 .