IDC TYPE: Mucinous Carcinoma of Breast

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Mucinous carcinoma of the breast — sometimes called colloid carcinoma — is a rare form of invasive ductal carcinoma (cancer that begins in the milk duct and spreads beyond it into nearby healthy tissue). In this type of cancer, the tumour is made up of abnormal cells that “float” in pools of mucin, a key ingredient in the slimy, slippery substance known as mucus.


In mucinous carcinoma, however, mucin becomes part of a tumour and surrounds the breast cancer cells. Under a microscope, it looks like the cancer cells are scattered throughout pools of mucus. Although mucinous carcinoma can be diagnosed at any age, it tends to affect women after they’ve gone through menopause.

• A physical examination of the breasts. Your doctor may be able to feel the lump in the breast, or you may feel it yourself during a breast self-exam.
• A mammogram to locate a tumour and check for evidence of cancer in other areas of the breast. A screening mammogram often can detect a mucinous carcinoma, but it typically looks like a benign (non-cancerous) breast lump.
• Ultrasound uses sound waves to obtain images of breast tissue.
• MRI to obtain additional images of the breast and check for other areas of cancer.
• A biopsy involves making a small incision and taking out all of a tumour or using a needle to remove tissue samples from the suspicious area, for examination under a microscope.