Breast Cancer Treatment in Bangalore
What is breast cancer?
Breast tumors is a type of cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts. It can occur in both women and, rarely, in men. Breast cancer commonly begins as a lump or mass in the breast tissue, which may be painless at first. Early detection and prompt medical attention are crucial for successful treatment. Common methods of diagnosis include mammograms, ultrasounds, and biopsies. Treatment options may involve surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or targeted therapy, depending on the stage and type of breast tumor.
Mainly Affects on:
Below are the reasons that Breast Tumor affects mainly:
- Breast cancer is a prevalent cancer among women.
- Men can also develop it, with 2,600 men developing it annually.
- Cisgender men are less likely to develop breast tumor than Transgender women.
- Transgender men shall not have breast tumor in the body
Types of Breast Cancer:
- The Early-stage cancer confined to the milk ducts and has not invaded surrounding breast tissue is Ductal Carcinoma in Situ
- Cancer cells invade the breast ducts and surrounding tissues is Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
- Cancer cells develop in the lobules (milk-producing gland and spread to nearby areas is Invasive Lobular Carcinoma
- Tumor cells lack estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors is Triple-Negative
- Tumor cells overexpress the HER2 protein, and more aggressive isHER2-Positive Breast Cancer
- The redness and swelling of the breast Inflammatory Breast Cancer
- Cancer spreads to distant organs from the breast is Metastatic Breast Canceronly
Early signs:
The symptoms can vary. Below are few:
But common signs include changes in breast size, shape, contour, a small lump, persistent thickening in the breast or underarm, changes in skin appearance, redness, a distinct area, a hardened area under the skin, and blood-stained or clear fluid discharge from the nipple.
These symptoms can persist throughout the menstrual cycle and can be detected through various means.
Causes:
Breast cancer is a complex disease with genetic mutations, hormones, age, gender, family history, personal history, lifestyle factors, radiation exposure, and reproductive factors contributing to its development. Inherited gene mutations, hormones, age, gender, family history, personal history, lifestyle factors, radiation exposure, and reproductive factors also contribute to the risk. Regular screening, early detection, and a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk and improve outcomes for affected individuals.
Stages:
- Stages of breast cancer include non-invasive, stage I, stage II, stage III, stage IV, and metastatic.
- Stage I involves cancer cells spreading to nearby breast tissue,
- Stage II involves tumors smaller than 2 centimeters and spreading to underarm lymph nodes
- Stage III, also known as locally advanced breast cancer, involves cancer spreading beyond the breast’s origin, invaded nearby tissue and lymph nodes, and not distant organs.
- Stage IV, also called metastatic breast cancer, involves cancer spreading to areas away from the breast, such as bones, liver, lungs, or brain.
Stages:
- Breast cancer surgery involves removing the cancerous breast, tumor, or entire breast.
- Lymph nodes are removed for evaluation.
- Sentinel node biopsy prevents unnecessary removal. Axillary lymph node dissection removes multiple lymph nodes under the arm.
- Modified radical mastectomy removes the entire breast, nipple, and lymph nodes, leaving chest muscles intact.
- Healthcare providers may recommend chemotherapy for breast cancer before a lumpectomy to shrink the tumor. After surgery, it may be given to kill remaining cancer cells and reduce recurrence risk. If the cancer has spread beyond the breast, it may be considered as a primary treatment.
- Radiation therapy is given after lumpectomy or mastectomy to eliminate cancer cells and treat individual metastatic tumors causing pain or issues.
- Hormone therapy is a medical treatment using hormones or hormone-blocking agents to alter hormone levels in the body. It is commonly used to treat hormone-sensitive cancers like breast and prostate cancer, targeting estrogen receptors and testosterone levels. Hormone therapy slows or stops tumor growth and is often combined with other treatments.
- Immunotherapy targets breast cancer cells using the immune system’s power, administered intravenously through veins, and may be combined with chemotherapy by healthcare providers.
Survival Rate:
Breast cancer has a 90% five-year survival rate, with 86% for those diagnosed and 28% for those who have spread the disease. However, survival rates are improving as researchers continue to understand the disease and develop better management methods. It’s important to note that survival rates are estimates and cannot predict treatment success or life expectancy. For specific questions about breast cancer survival rates, consult your Oncologist.
