Pathology and Pathological Disorders

Breast Pathology

Breast cancer is broadly categorized into two primary types: carcinomas and sarcomas. Carcinomas originate from the epithelial cells of the breast, which line the lobules and terminal ducts and are responsible for milk production under normal physiological conditions. These carcinomas represent the vast majority of breast cancer cases, including subtypes like ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive ductal or lobular carcinoma. On the other hand, sarcomas are rare malignancies that develop from the stromal or connective tissue components of the breast, such as myofibroblasts and vascular cells. Examples of these cancers include phyllodes tumors and angiosarcomas, and they make up less than 1% of all primary breast cancers. While carcinomas are the most commonly encountered in clinical practice and research, sarcomas require distinct diagnostic and therapeutic approaches due to their unique cellular origin and behavior.