Breast Cancer
Everything You Need To Know About Breast Cancer
Cancer occurs when genes that regulate cell growth undergo so-called mutations. Mutations cause cells to divide and multiply in an uncontrolled manner.
Breast cancer is cancer that develops in breast cancer cells. Usually, cancer forms in the lobules or ducts of the breast. The lobules are the glands that produce milk, and the ducts are the way to transport the milk from the glands to the nipple. Cancer may also occur in fatty tissue or fibrous connective tissue in the breast.
Uncontrolled cancer cells usually invade other healthy breast tissue and may spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit. Lymph nodes are the main way to help cancer cells spread to other parts of the body.
Breast cancer symptoms
In the early stages, Breast Cancer Treatment in Delhi NCR, breast cancer may not cause any symptoms. In many cases, the tumor may be too small to be felt, but the abnormality can still be seen on the mammogram. If a tumor can be felt, the first sign that usually appears is a new mass that does not exist in the breast. However, not all lumps are cancer.
Each type of breast cancer can cause multiple symptoms. Many of these symptoms are similar, but some can be different. The most common symptoms of breast cancer include:
- Feeling of breast lump or tissue thickening that is different from the surrounding tissues, recent development
- Breast pain
- Red, sunken skin throughout the breast
- Swelling of the whole or part of the breast
- Nipple discharge other than breast milk
- Nipple bleeding
- Peeling, scaling, or flaking of the skin on the nipple or breast
- Sudden and unexplainable changes in the shape or size of the breast
- Inverted nipples
- Change the appearance of breast skin
- Lumps or swelling in the armpits
If you have any of these symptoms, it does not necessarily mean that you have breast cancer. For example, benign cysts may cause breast pain or breast lumps. However, if you find breast lumps or other symptoms, you should see Breast Cancer Doctor in Delhi for further examination and testing.
Types of breast cancer
There are several types of breast cancer, divided into two categories: “invasive” and “non-invasive” or in situ. Although invasive cancer has spread from breast ducts or glands to other parts of the breast, non-invasive cancer has not spread from the original tissue.
These two categories are used to describe the most common types of breast cancer, including
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Other type of Cancer
Ductal carcinoma in situ. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a non-invasive disease. With DCIS, cancer cells are confined in the breast ducts and do not invade the surrounding breast tissue.
Lobular carcinoma in situ. Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) is a cancer that grows in the breast secreting glands. Like DCIS, cancer cells did not invade surrounding tissues.
Invasive ductal carcinoma. Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) is the most common type of breast cancer. This type of breast cancer starts in the breast ducts and then invades nearby breast tissue. Once breast cancer has spread to the tissues outside the breast ducts, it will begin to spread to other nearby organs and tissues.
Invasive lobular carcinoma. Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) first develops in the lobules of your breast and invades nearby tissues.
Other less common types of breast cancer include
Paget’s disease of the nipple. This type of breast cancer starts in the ducts of the nipple, but as it grows, it begins to affect the skin of the nipple and areola.
Nodule. This very rare type of breast cancer grows in the connective tissue of the breast. Most of these tumors are benign, but some are cancerous.
Angiosarcoma. This is cancer that grows on the blood vessels or lymphatic vessels of the breast.
The type of cancer you have determines your treatment options and possible long-term results.
Inflammatory breast cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare but aggressive type of breast cancer. In all breast cancer cases, IBC accounts for only 1% to 5% of trusted sources.
In this case, the cells block the lymph nodes near the breast, so the lymph vessels in the breast cannot drain properly. IBC does not cause tumors, but it makes your breasts swell, red and feel very warm. Cancerous breasts may look like pits and thick orange peel.
IBC can be very radical and can develop rapidly. Therefore, if you notice any symptoms, call Breast Cancer Specialist in Delhi NCR, immediately. Learn more about IBC and the symptoms it can cause.
Triple negative breast cancer
Triple-negative breast cancer is another rare disease type that affects only about 10% to 20% of breast cancer patients. To be diagnosed as triple-negative breast cancer, the tumor must have the following three characteristics
It lacks estrogen receptors. These are receptors on cells that bind or attach to the hormone estrogen. If the tumor has estrogen receptors, estrogen can stimulate cancer growth.
It lacks progesterone receptors. These receptors are cells that bind to the hormone progesterone. If the tumor has a progesterone receptor, progesterone can stimulate the growth of the cancer.
There are no other HER2 proteins on its surface. HER2 is a protein that promotes the growth of breast cancer.
If the tumor meets these three conditions, it is marked as triple-negative breast cancer. Compared with other types of breast cancer, this type of breast cancer has a tendency to grow and spread faster.
Triple-negative breast cancer is difficult to treat because hormone therapy is ineffective. Understand the treatment methods and survival rates of triple-negative breast cancer.
Metastatic breast cancer
Metastatic breast cancer is another name for stage 4 breast cancer. Breast cancer has spread from your breasts to other parts of the body, such as bones, lungs or liver.
This is the advanced stage of breast cancer. Your oncologist (cancer doctor) will develop a treatment plan to prevent the growth and spread of one or more tumors. Understand the treatment options for metastatic cancer and the factors that affect your outlook.
Male breast cancer
Although they are usually fewer, men have breast tissue just like women. Men can also get breast cancer, but this is much less. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), the incidence of breast cancer in white men is 100 times lower than that in white women, and the incidence of breast cancer in black men is 70 times lower than that of black women.
In other words, breast cancer in men is as serious as breast cancer in women. It also has the same symptoms. Read more about male breast cancer and the symptoms to watch out for.
If you are concerned about spots or changes in your breasts, it can be helpful to understand breast problems that are actually cancer. Learn more about the symptoms of breast cancer and view pictures of its appearance.
Breast cancer staging
Breast cancer can be divided into several stages based on the size of one or more tumors and the extent to which they have spread. Compared to cancers that are smaller and/or still contained in the breast, cancers that are larger and/or have invaded nearby tissues or organs are at a higher stage. In order to get breast cancer, doctors need to know:
- If the cancer is invasive or non-invasive
- How big is the Tumor
- Whether the lymph nodes are involved
- If the cancer has spread to nearby tissues or organs
Stages of breast cancer
Breast cancer can be divided into several stages based on the size of one or more tumors and the extent to which they have spread. Compared to cancers that are smaller and/or still contained in the breast, cancers that are larger and/or have invaded nearby tissues or organs are at a higher stage. In order to get breast cancer, doctors need to know:
- If the cancer is invasive or non-invasive
- How big is the Tumor
- Whether the lymph nodes are involved
- If the cancer has spread to nearby tissues or organs
Stage 0 breast cancer
Phase 0 is DCIS. Cancer cells in DCIS are only confined in the breast ducts and have not spread to nearby tissues.
Stage 1 breast cancer
Stage 1A: The primary tumor is 2 cm or smaller in width, and the lymph nodes are not affected.
Stage 1B: The cancer is found in nearby lymph nodes, or there is no tumor in the breast, or the tumor is smaller than 2 cm.
Stage 2 breast cancer
Stage 2A: The tumor is less than 2 cm and has spread to 1–3 nearby lymph nodes, or between 2 and 5 cm, it has not spread to any lymph nodes.
Stage 2B: The tumor is between 2 and 5 cm and has spread to 1-3 axillary (axillary) lymph nodes, or larger than 5 cm, without spreading to any lymph nodes.
Stage 3 breast cancer
Phase 3A:The cancer has spread to 4-9 axillary lymph nodes or enlarged internal breast lymph nodes, and the primary tumor can be any size. The tumor is larger than 5 cm, and the cancer has spread to 1-3 axillary lymph nodes or any sternal lymph nodes.
Stage 3B: The tumor has invaded the chest wall or skin, and may or may not invade as many as 9 lymph nodes.
Stage 3C: Cancer is found in 10 or more axillary lymph nodes, lymph nodes near the collarbone, or internal breast lymph nodes.
Stage 4 breast cancer
Stage IV breast cancer can have tumors of any size, and its cancer cells have spread to nearby and distant lymph nodes and distant organs.
The test performed by the doctor will determine the stage of your breast cancer, which will affect your treatment. Learn how to treat different stages of breast cancer.
Diagnosis of breast cancer
Breast biopsy
If your doctor suspects breast cancer, they may perform a mammogram and ultrasound at the same time. If neither of these tests tell the doctor if you have cancer, the doctor can perform a test called a breast biopsy.
During this test, your doctor will take a tissue sample from the suspicious area for testing. There are several types of breast biopsy. With some of these tests, your doctor will use a needle to take a tissue sample. They work with others to make an incision in your breast and then take the sample.
Your doctor will send the tissue sample to the laboratory. If the sample is positive for cancer, the laboratory can test it further to tell your doctor what kind of cancer you have. Learn more about breast biopsy, how to prepare for the biopsy, and what to expect.
Breast Cancer Treatment
The stage of breast cancer, the degree of invasion (if any), and the growth of the tumor all play a large role in determining which treatment you need.
First, your doctor will determine the size, stage and grade of your cancer (its likelihood of growth and spread). Afterwards, you can discuss your treatment options. Surgery is the most common treatment for breast cancer. Many women have other treatments, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiotherapy or hormone therapy.
Surgery
Several types of surgery can be used to remove breast cancer, including:
Lumpectomy : This process removes the tumor and some surrounding tissues, leaving the rest of the breast intact.
Mastectomy : During this process, the surgeon removes the entire breast. In double mastectomy, both breasts are removed.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy : This surgery removed some lymph nodes draining from the tumor. These lymph nodes will be tested. If they do not have cancer, they may be able to remove more lymph nodes without other surgery.
Axillary lymph node dissection : If the lymph nodes removed during the sentinel lymph node biopsy contain cancer cells, the doctor may remove other lymph nodes.
Preventive mastectomy on the contralateral side : Even though breast cancer may only appear in one breast, some women choose to undergo contralateral prophylactic mastectomy. This operation can remove your healthy breasts, thereby reducing your risk of breast cancer surgery in Delhi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Breast cancer is cancer that develops in breast cancer cells. Usually, cancer forms in the lobules or ducts of the breast. The lobules are the glands that produce milk, and the ducts are the way to transport the milk from the glands to the nipple. Cancer may also occur in fatty tissue or fibrous connective tissue in the breast.
In the early stages, Breast Cancer Treatment in Delhi NCR, breast cancer may not cause any symptoms. In many cases, the tumor may be too small to be felt, but the abnormality can still be seen on the mammogram. If a tumor can be felt, the first sign that usually appears is a new mass that does not exist in the breast. However, not all lumps are cancer. Each type of breast cancer can cause multiple symptoms. Many of these symptoms are similar, but some can be different. The most common symptoms of breast cancer include:
- A feeling of the breast lump or tissue thickening that is different from the surrounding tissues, recent development
- Breast pain
- Red, sunken skin throughout the breast
- Swelling of the whole or part of the breast
- Nipple discharge other than breast milk
- Nipple bleeding
- Peeling, scaling, or flaking of the skin on the nipple or breast
- Sudden and unexplainable changes in the shape or size of the breast
- Inverted nipples
- Change the appearance of breast skin
- Lumps or swelling in the armpits
Any factor that increases your chances of developing breast cancer is a breast cancer risk factor. However, having breast cancer risk factors does not necessarily mean that you will develop breast cancer. Breast cancer is a common condition in women.
There are several factors that increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
- Being a woman. Breast cancer is more common in women than it is in men.
- Growing older. Your chance of getting breast cancer rises with age.
- Your personal history of breast conditions. You are at greater risk for breast cancer if you have had a breast biopsy and found lobular carcinoma (LCIS), or atypical hyperplasia.
- Your personal history of breast carcinoma. You are at greater risk of developing breast cancer in the second breast.
- You have a family history of breast carcinoma. Your risk of developing breast cancer is higher if your mother, sister, or daughter were diagnosed with the disease, especially if it was young. Despite this, most people with breast cancer are not related to the disease.
- Genetic Mutations: Genetic mutations that increase cancer risk are passed from one parent to another. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the most common gene mutations. Although these genes may increase your chances of developing breast cancer or other types of cancer, they do not make it inevitable.
- Radiation exposure. Your risk of developing breast cancer is higher if you have had radiation treatment to your chest in your youth or adulthood.
- Obesity. Being overweight increases your chances of getting breast cancer.
- Start your period younger than you are. Your risk of developing breast cancer is higher if your period starts before the age of 12.
- You’re more likely than others to get breast cancer if you start menopause later in life.
- Giving birth to your first child later than 30 is a risk. Breast cancer may be more common in women who have their first child after the age of 30.
- Never having been pregnant. More likely to develop breast cancer than women who have been pregnant once or twice.
- Postmenopausal hormone therapy. Women taking hormone therapy medication that combines estrogen and progesterone to treat symptoms and signs of menopause are at greater risk for breast cancer. Women who stop taking hormone therapy medications have a lower chance of developing breast cancer.
Alcohol consumption. Breast cancer is more likely when you drink alcohol.
The following tests and procedures are used to diagnose breast carcinoma:
- A breast exam. The doctor will examine your breasts and the lymph nodes under your armpits, looking for lumps or other abnormalities.
- Mammogram. An X-ray of your breasts. Mammograms can be used to detect breast cancer. Your doctor may recommend a diagnostic Mammogram to further examine any abnormalities detected during a screening mammogram.
- Breast ultrasound. The use of sound waves to create images of structures deep in the body. Ultrasound can be used to determine if a breast lump is a cyst or a solid mass.
- Taking a sample from the breast to test (biopsy). This is the only way to determine if you have breast cancer. Your doctor will use a special needle to remove the core of suspicious tissue using X-rays or other imaging tests. A small metal marker is often left at the breast site to aid in future imaging.
For analysis, experts will send biopsy samples to a laboratory. They will determine if the cells are cancerous. The biopsy samples are also analysed to determine whether there is breast cancer and the degree of aggressiveness.
Breast magnetic imaging (MRI) uses a magnet to take pictures of your breasts. An injection of dye is required before a breast MRI. An MRI uses radiation to create images, unlike other imaging methods.
The following tests and procedures are used to diagnose breast carcinoma:
- A breast exam. The doctor will examine your breasts and the lymph nodes under your armpits, looking for lumps or other abnormalities.
- Mammogram. An X-ray of your breasts. Mammograms can be used to detect breast cancer. Your doctor may recommend a diagnostic Mammogram to further examine any abnormalities detected during a screening mammogram.
- Breast ultrasound. The use of sound waves to create images of structures deep in the body. Ultrasound can be used to determine if a breast lump is a cyst or a solid mass.
- Taking a sample from the breast to test (biopsy). This is the only way to determine if you have breast cancer. Your doctor will use a special needle to remove the core of suspicious tissue using X-rays or other imaging tests. A small metal marker is often left at the breast site to aid in future imaging.
For analysis, experts will send biopsy samples to a laboratory. They will determine if the cells are cancerous. The biopsy samples are also analysed to determine whether there is breast cancer and the degree of aggressiveness.
Breast magnetic imaging (MRI) uses a magnet to take pictures of your breasts. An injection of dye is required before a breast MRI. An MRI uses radiation to create images, unlike other imaging methods.
There are numerous treatments for breast cancer. The type of breast cancer and the extent of its spread will determine this. Multiple types of treatments are frequently given to patients with breast cancer.
- Surgery. A procedure where cancerous tissue is removed by doctors.
- Chemotherapy. Use specific drugs to reduce or eradicate cancer cells. The drugs may be taken orally, administered intravenously, or occasionally both.
- Hormonal therapy. Prevents hormones that cancer cells require for growth from reaching them.
- Biological therapy. Collaborates with the immune system of your body to combat cancer cells or to manage the negative effects of other cancer treatments.
- Radiation therapy. Destroying the cancer cells with high-energy rays that are comparable to X-rays.
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