Breast Cancer
Department of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a kind of cancer that begins as a growth of cells in the breast tissue.
After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States. But breast cancer doesn’t just happen in women. Everyone is born with some breast tissue, so anyone can get breast cancer.
Breast cancer survival rates have been increasing. And the number of people dying of breast cancer is steadily going down. Much of this is due to the widespread support for breast cancer awareness and funding for research.
Advances in breast cancer screening allow healthcare professionals to diagnose breast cancer earlier. Finding the cancer earlier makes it much more likely that the cancer can be cured. Even when breast cancer can’t be cured, many treatments exist to extend life. New discoveries in breast cancer research are helping healthcare professionals choose the most effective treatment plans.
Types
1. Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS):
Early-stage cancer where abnormal cells are found in the lining of a breast duct but haven’t invaded nearby tissues.
2. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC):
The most common type of breast cancer, IDC starts in the milk ducts but invades nearby tissues in the breast.
3. Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC):
Cancer begins in the lobules (milk-producing glands) and can spread to nearby tissues.
4. Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC):
A subtype that lacks estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and HER2/neu expression. It can be more aggressive and challenging to treat.
5. HER2-Positive Breast Cancer:
Cancer cells overexpress the HER2/neu protein, making the cancer more aggressive. Targeted therapies, such as Herceptin, are often used.
6. Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer:
Cancer cells have receptors for estrogen and/or progesterone. Hormone therapies, like Tamoxifen, are commonly used in treatment.
Diagnosis
Imaging Studies:
- Mammography: X-ray images of the breast are taken to detect abnormalities, such as tumors or microcalcifications.
- Ultrasound: Sound waves are used to create images, providing additional
information about breast tissue. - MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): This imaging technique may be used in
specific cases to get detailed images of the breast. - PET-CT
Biopsy:
- If abnormalities are detected, a biopsy is performed to obtain a tissue sample for
laboratory analysis. - Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA): A thin needle is used to withdraw cells from the
suspicious area. - Core Needle Biopsy: A larger needle is used to extract a small core of tissue for
examination. - Surgical Biopsy: In some cases, a surgical procedure may be needed to remove a larger sample of tissue.
Pathology Analysis:
- The tissue sample is examined by a pathologist to determine the presence of cancer,
its type, and characteristics. - Hormone test (estrogen and progesterone receptors) and HER2 status are often
assessed
Treatment
1. Surgery:
- Lumpectomy: Removal of the tumor and a small surrounding margin of normal tissue.
- Mastectomy: Removal of the entire breast. Types include simple, modified radical, and bilateral mastectomy.
2. Radiation Therapy:
High-energy rays target and destroy cancer cells or shrink tumors. Often used after surgery to eliminate remaining cancer cells.
3. Chemotherapy:
Systemic treatment using drugs to kill or control cancer cells. Administered orally or through intravenous infusion.
4. Hormone Therapy:
Targets hormone receptor-positive breast cancers by blocking or suppressing hormones like estrogen or progesterone.
5. Targeted Therapy:
Specifically targets molecules involved in cancer growth, such as HER2. Examples include Herceptin (trastuzumab) for HER2-positive cancers.
6. Immunotherapy:
Boosts the body’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Still being studied in breast cancer but showing promise in certain cases.
7. Neoadjuvant Therapy:
Treatment given before surgery to shrink tumors. It can include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy.
8. Adjuvant Therapy:
Treatment given after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence. Includes radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy.
Breast Cancer Overview
- Surgery Time: 1 to 4 hours
- Stay in the Country: 1 to 2 weeks
- Rehabilitation Duration: 2 to 6 weeks
- Price: €8,000 to €25,000
- Initial Consultation: Diagnosis through mammography, ultrasound, biopsy, and consultation with a breast surgeon or oncologist.
- Pre-Surgery: Pre-operative tests to determine the type of surgery needed, such as lumpectomy or mastectomy.
- Surgery: Lumpectomy (removal of the tumor) or mastectomy (removal of one or both breasts), lasting 1 to 4 hours.
- Post-Surgery: Hospital stay for 1 to 2 days to monitor recovery and manage any complications.
- Rehabilitation: Recovery with support for wound care, managing side effects, and physical therapy if needed.
- Final Recovery: Ongoing follow-up visits to monitor recovery, manage any residual disease, and plan further treatment if necessary (e.g., radiation or chemotherapy).
