What are common types of breast cancer descriptions?

The doctor or pathologist who examines your tissue sample will likely use one of the following descriptions to diagnose your condition:

• Hormone receptor status - If you have hormone receptor positive breast cancer cells, that means they can be stimulated by hormones. This is a good indication that your cancer will respond to hormonal therapies.

• Human epidermal growth factor 2 - The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2/neu) measures a tumor's growth rate and predictability. The growth rate can be influenced by a protein called HER2. If the tumor is HER2 positive, then the tumor is overproducing a protein that can make the breast cancer at higher risk of recurring in the future. By measuring cell growth, doctors can determine if the cells contain an extra protein that makes them grow uncontrollably.

• Grade - This is a measurement of cell growth. Grade 1 means slow; Grade 2 means average growing; and Grade 3 means rapidly growing.

• Benign breast diseases - Around 80 percent of suspicious masses found on mammograms or breast exams are benign, meaning they are not cancerous and pose no health risk. Depending on its size, your doctor may recommend removing your mass.

• Malignant tumors - Malignant tumors are cancerous. Depending on the exact details about the tumors size, type and other factors, your doctor will recommend the best treatment for you.