According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in U.S. women. It is the leading cause of cancer-related death in Hispanic women and the second most frequent cause of cancer-related death in all other major racial groups. Breast cancer is not always fatal. In some cases, breast cancer can be very mild or "low grade."
Definition
A breast cancer's grade refers to the appearance of its cells upon examination. The more "normal" or ordinary a group of cells appear, the lower the cancer is graded. Breast cancer is based on a numerical scale of 1 to 3, with "low-grade" cancers receiving a score of 1.
In Situ
Often, low-grade cancers are "in situ." This means that the cancer does not spread beyond the location in the breast where it formed to other areas of the breast or the body.
Types
There are two major types of low-grade in situ breast cancers. The types differ based on the region in the breast where they originate. Ductal carcinoma in situ develops in the ducts or tubes that transport milk. Lobular carcinoma in situ begins in the lobules or glands where milk is produced.
Commonness
According to the , about 25 percent of all new cases of breast cancer are low-grade in situ.
Prognosis
With prompt treatment, most low-grade in situ cancers can be cured. According to the American Cancer Society, 98 percent of such cases reach the 5-year survival mark.
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