Breast Cancer Information, Types of Breast Cancer, Treatment and Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

Introduction to Breast Cancer:

Breast cancer occurs due to uncontrolled growth of breast cells. There is a possibility that the cancer spreads to other parts of the body also. More than 90% cases of breast cancer were found to occur due to genetic abnormalities resulted from aging process and other parameters of life.

This is one of the most common forms of cancer after lung cancer affecting women. It also affects males although the male breast cancer occurs very rarely.

Screening and Diagnosis of breast cancer:

1. Breast self-examination: Any women above20 years of age should carry out self-examination physically at least once in a month. If any abnormality is observed during physical self-examination, should be further confirmed through other investigative techniques.
2. Mammography: Every woman above 40 years of age should be screened annually for breast cancer. Screening test such as mammogram is useful for diagnosing any sign of the disease. In mammogram (low dose X-ray), two different views of each breast is taken and compared for any abnormalities. If any mass is suspected in mammogram, it is further investigated for any calcification, cyst or fibroadenomas.

The rate of error in mammography is still higher and approximate missed cancer rate about 10%. For further evaluation of any suspected mass observed, the technique ultrasound, ductography and magnetic resonance imaging are used.

1. Ultrasound: If any palpable breast lump is observed, you may be asked to do ultrasound. The images obtained through ultrasound can complements to the other diagnostic tests.
2. Magnetic Resonance Imaging: The technique may be useful, when a women having palpable mass has not been ruled out by ultrasound and mammogram. The advantage of MRI is that the technique does not use ant radiation and is useful for diagnosing underarm lymph node, which is not seen in mammogram. MRI is also useful for detecting leakage from silicone filled breast implant and it is also able to diagnose, whether the cancer is limited to one area or multiple area.

Types of Breast cancers:

Breast cancer can be classified into following categories depending upon the location, the size and severity.

1. DCIS- Ductal Carcinoma in Situ: DCIS is a non-invasive cancer and requires careful medical treatment. It stays inside the milk duct of breast and also referred as tumor in situ for this reason. Sometimes it is also considered as pre-cancerous condition.
2. LCIS – Lobular Carcinoma in Situ: LCIS is sometimes also considered as a pre-cancerous conditions because the cancer is confined to the lobules.
3. IDC- Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: The cancer starts from the milk ducts and spread to surrounding tissues.
4. ILC- Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: The cancer starts from Lobules and spread to the surrounding tissues.

Treatment of Breast Cancer:

Depending on age, type of cancer, size, severity, and the patients can be divided in to low risk or high-risk categories and various treatment options such as surgery; hormonal therapy, chemotherapy and radiotherapies are recommended. At the time of planning of treatment oncotype DX can be carried out for finding a possibility of recurrence of tumor at a late stage.

1. Surgery: If a lump is of malign nature, lumpectomy (removal of lump by surgery) can be performed. Sometimes large portion of breast may be required to remove, in such case mastectomy (removal of entire breast by surgery) is performed.
2. Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy is necessary for the patients, who had lumpectomy, and in some cases of mastectomy. High powered X-rays or gamma rays are targeted to the area to reduce the recurrence of tumor. Some of the side effects are associated with the radiation therapy include change in color of the skin, muscle stiffness, mild swelling and shrinking of the breast.
3. Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is useful for shrinking the size of tumor and adjuvant chemotherapy is recommended after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence of tumor.
4. Hormonal Treatment: Women having estrogen receptor positive tumor will also be undergo hormonal therapy after completing the chemotherapy. The treatment will consist for blocking estrogen reception by breast cells and in pre menopause and lowering estrogen during post menopause.