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Definition of Grade III Ductal Carcinoma

Depending on how they are classified, there are over 250 different types of cancer. Grade III ductal carcinoma is a specific cancer of the breast, arising from a tumor in a duct of the mammary gland.

  1. Carcinoma

    • MedicineNet.com defines carcinoma as cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover body organs.

    Ductal Carcinoma

    • Ductal carcinoma is usually followed by the words, "in situ," Latin for "in the place." It is typically non-invasive, meaning it has not spread.

    Grading vs. Staging

    • Tumors are often classified by a system of grading and staging. Grading refers to the appearance of the cancer cells under a microscope, while staging refers to the size and/or extent of the cancer.

    Grade 3

    • The College of American Pathologists says that grade 3 tumors are the most aggressive, growing faster than grades 1 and 2. Grade 3 tumor cells, also called high-grade, look very abnormal under a microscope.

    Grading Systems

    • The National Cancer Institute says that different cancers use different grading systems. Ductal carcinoma is graded using the Bloom-Richardson system, while other cancers, like prostate or kidney, use different systems.

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