Cancer Treatment Centers of America

/Home/a. Breast Cancer Treatment Centers/Breast Cancer Treatment Centers - United States/Breast Cancer Treatment Centers - OK/Breast Cancer Treatment Centers - Tulsa, OK

Cancer Treatment Centers of America
at Southwestern Regional Medical Center
10109 E. 79th Street (81st Street & Highway 169)
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133
(918) 286-5000

What is Breast Cancer?
The breast consists of approximately 15 lobes which contain tiny lobules made up of glands. The milk producing glands and ducts are the two most likely areas to develop cancerous cells. In rarer cases, breast cancer begins in fatty tissues, also known as stromal tissues. Breast cancer may also occur in surrounding lymph nodes, especially those of the underarm.

According to the National Cancer Institute, one in eight women who live to be age 80 will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. This makes the disease the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women, after skin cancer. In 2008 alone, 183,460 American women received a diagnosis of breast cancer.

One in four cancers diagnosed in the United States is breast cancer, but women are not the only ones receiving the diagnosis. Though incidence of breast cancer is much less common among men, approximately 1,700 American men learn they have breast cancer each year.

Breast cancer is one of the most highly publicized cancers in the media today. Local and national breast cancer awareness events are reminders of its prevalence. Many of us know someone that previously had or is currently battling breast cancer. Fortunately, advancements in breast cancer research provide treatment options and new technologies for those afflicted with the disease.

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), you will find expert doctors skilled in treating breast cancer and premier technology to comprehensively fight the disease. Here, you will experience individualized, patient-centered care in an environment of hope and empowerment.

Types of Breast Cancer
There are two main types of breast cancer, in situ and invasive.

In situ means that cancerous cells remain in a particular location of the breast, without spreading to surrounding tissue, lobules, or ducts. One common type of in situ breast cancer is ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), wherein abnormal cells lie solely within the lining of the milk ducts.
Invasive breast cancer affects multiple parts of the breast. The cancer may reside in the tissue, lobule, ducts, or spread to other locations in the body, particularly the lymph nodes. There are two types of invasive breast cancer: invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC).
Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) is the most common type of breast cancer. Cancerous cells grow in the duct lining before penetrating local tissue. Cancer may exist solely within the breast or also in other parts of the body, known as metastases.

Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) mimics IDC with the exception of symptoms. Individuals with IDC may feel a lump on the breast, whereas individuals with ILC commonly notice a thickening of the breast. ILC often spreads to distant parts of the body.

The rarest form of breast cancer is referred to as inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). This aggressive form often starts within the soft tissues of the breast. Unlike other types of breast cancer, it may be difficult to detect IBC by use of ultrasound or mammogram. IBC afflicts younger women more than other types of breast cancer. Extra tests, especially biopsies, must be done to diagnose this illness.

Rest assured that the cancer experts at CTCA have dealt with each and every type of breast cancer. To fight the disease on all fronts, we offer conventional cancer treatments alongside supportive complementary therapies such as nutrition, naturopathic medicine, and mind-body medicine. Our team of experts will guide and uplift you during every step of your breast cancer journey.