Breast Cancer: Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University : Feinberg School of Medicine
Source: https://www.cancer.northwestern.edu/types-of-cancer/breast/index.html
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:10
Breast Cancer: Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University : Feinberg School of Medicine
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Breast Cancer
Our providers see patients in the Maggie Daley Center for Women’s Cancer Care within
Prentice Women’s Hospital
, the only dedicated women’s hospital in the Chicagoland area.
Cancer begins when normal cells in the breast begin to change and grow uncontrollably, forming a mass called a tumor. A tumor can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous, meaning it can spread to other parts of the body).
We treat several types of breast cancer, including inflammatory breast cancer, male breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ and metastatic breast cancer. The most common type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma, which begins in the cells of the ducts. Breast cancer can also begin in the cells of the lobules and in other tissues in the breast. Ductal carcinoma in situ is a condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lining of the ducts but they haven't spread outside the duct. Breast cancer that has spread from where it began in the ducts or lobules to surrounding tissue is called invasive breast cancer. In inflammatory breast cancer, the breast looks red and swollen and feels warm because the cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin.
About breast cancer
Breast imaging & mammorgraphy
Inflammatory breast cancer
Metastatic breast cancer
Male breast cancer
Breast cancer treatment
Our Experts
Our experts work together in a multidisciplinary team (including dedicated, talented nursing staff and Lurie Cancer Center’s
Supportive Oncology Team
) to help create a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan and provide you with exceptional support. Get to know our physicians and the many other experts who will play an important role in your care.
meet the experts
Clinical Trials
Patients at the Lurie Cancer Center have access to a wide variety of clinical trials designed to explore promising new treatments. If you're interested in participating, browse our current trials to find options that may be relevant to your diagnosis—and help advance the future of cancer care.
find a related clinical trial
Patient Support
We offer a number of services to help patients and their families cope with the challenges of cancer treatment.
Living Well with Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Group
Meet our support team
Browse our upcoming events
see all our support services
Featured Programs
Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Center
Located in Prentice Women’s Hospital on Northwestern Medicine’s Chicago campus, the Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Center, provides leading-edge breast imaging and screening mammography services, as well as diagnostic breast imaging evaluation.
LEARN MORE about Breast Imaging and Mammography
Bluhm Family Breast Cancer Early Detection and Prevention Program
The Bluhm Family Breast Cancer Early Detection and Prevention Program offers comprehensive risk assessment and risk management for women concerned about breast cancer. Care is provided by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, utilizing the resources of the Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Center at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
learn more about early detection & prevention
The Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Survivorship Program
The Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Survivorship Program addresses the unique needs of women with breast cancer as they complete treatment and enter into survivorship. Visit the program's page to find out how to make an appointment and learn more about what to expect.
Learn more about the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Survivorship Program
Lurie Cancer Center Hispanic Breast Clinic
To address the needs of our Spanish-speaking patients, we created the Lurie Cancer Center Hispanic Breast Clinic at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Led by oncologist Claudia Tellez, MD, our clinic includes a multidisciplinary team of breast cancer experts, supportive care and administrative staff who will work with you and your family to develop the best possible treatment plan.
learn more about the Hispanic Breast Clinic
Breast Cancer News
40 Years of Breast Cancer Research: Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation Celebrates Triumphs since Founding
HPV Cancer Vaccine Slows Tumor Growth, Extends Survival in Preclinical Model
Noninvasive Treatment Boosts Immune Response Against Glioblastoma
Improving Survival for Advanced Breast Cancer with Massimo Cristofanilli, MD
Improving Exercise Habits for Breast Cancer Survivors with Siobhan Phillips, PhD, MPH
The Evolution of Digital Pathology with Lee Cooper, PhD
Your support takes our research further.
Donate & Volunteer
Back to top
Skip to main content
Breast Cancer
Our providers see patients in the Maggie Daley Center for Women’s Cancer Care within
Prentice Women’s Hospital
, the only dedicated women’s hospital in the Chicagoland area.
Cancer begins when normal cells in the breast begin to change and grow uncontrollably, forming a mass called a tumor. A tumor can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous, meaning it can spread to other parts of the body).
We treat several types of breast cancer, including inflammatory breast cancer, male breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ and metastatic breast cancer. The most common type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma, which begins in the cells of the ducts. Breast cancer can also begin in the cells of the lobules and in other tissues in the breast. Ductal carcinoma in situ is a condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lining of the ducts but they haven't spread outside the duct. Breast cancer that has spread from where it began in the ducts or lobules to surrounding tissue is called invasive breast cancer. In inflammatory breast cancer, the breast looks red and swollen and feels warm because the cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin.
About breast cancer
Breast imaging & mammorgraphy
Inflammatory breast cancer
Metastatic breast cancer
Male breast cancer
Breast cancer treatment
Our Experts
Our experts work together in a multidisciplinary team (including dedicated, talented nursing staff and Lurie Cancer Center’s
Supportive Oncology Team
) to help create a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan and provide you with exceptional support. Get to know our physicians and the many other experts who will play an important role in your care.
meet the experts
Clinical Trials
Patients at the Lurie Cancer Center have access to a wide variety of clinical trials designed to explore promising new treatments. If you're interested in participating, browse our current trials to find options that may be relevant to your diagnosis—and help advance the future of cancer care.
find a related clinical trial
Patient Support
We offer a number of services to help patients and their families cope with the challenges of cancer treatment.
Living Well with Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Group
Meet our support team
Browse our upcoming events
see all our support services
Featured Programs
Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Center
Located in Prentice Women’s Hospital on Northwestern Medicine’s Chicago campus, the Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Center, provides leading-edge breast imaging and screening mammography services, as well as diagnostic breast imaging evaluation.
LEARN MORE about Breast Imaging and Mammography
Bluhm Family Breast Cancer Early Detection and Prevention Program
The Bluhm Family Breast Cancer Early Detection and Prevention Program offers comprehensive risk assessment and risk management for women concerned about breast cancer. Care is provided by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, utilizing the resources of the Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Center at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
learn more about early detection & prevention
The Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Survivorship Program
The Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Survivorship Program addresses the unique needs of women with breast cancer as they complete treatment and enter into survivorship. Visit the program's page to find out how to make an appointment and learn more about what to expect.
Learn more about the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Survivorship Program
Lurie Cancer Center Hispanic Breast Clinic
To address the needs of our Spanish-speaking patients, we created the Lurie Cancer Center Hispanic Breast Clinic at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Led by oncologist Claudia Tellez, MD, our clinic includes a multidisciplinary team of breast cancer experts, supportive care and administrative staff who will work with you and your family to develop the best possible treatment plan.
learn more about the Hispanic Breast Clinic
Breast Cancer News
40 Years of Breast Cancer Research: Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation Celebrates Triumphs since Founding
HPV Cancer Vaccine Slows Tumor Growth, Extends Survival in Preclinical Model
Noninvasive Treatment Boosts Immune Response Against Glioblastoma
Improving Survival for Advanced Breast Cancer with Massimo Cristofanilli, MD
Improving Exercise Habits for Breast Cancer Survivors with Siobhan Phillips, PhD, MPH
The Evolution of Digital Pathology with Lee Cooper, PhD
Your support takes our research further.
Donate & Volunteer
Back to top