Breast cancer is a typical female oncological disease. It affects all segments of the population of different ages.
The risk of getting sick increases in women: over fifty years old, who did not give birth to children or who gave birth to their first child after thirty years, if this pathology was detected in a close relative.
In breast cancer, cells of the glandular tissue degenerate into malignant ones. According to statistics, the disease is confirmed in 10% of cases aged 13 to 90 years. Pathology is also found among men, but very rarely.
Reasons for the degeneration of normal cells:
- genetics - if there was a pathology in the family, you should pay attention to the first signs of cancer;
- early and prolonged menstruation - Cancer is more common in patients with high estrogen levels;
- smoking and other carcinogens - reduce the protective properties of the body.
Only early detection of the disease can reduce the damage from the disease.
Stages
The stage of pathology describes its size and location. The choice of treatment and its success depends on the stage.
The following stages are used:
- Zero - malignant cells are enclosed in the breast milk canals (through which milk flows to the nipple). Most often, intracanal cancer is curable.
- The first - malignant cells have reached adjacent tissues. The tumor does not exceed 2 cm.
- The second - the tumor grows up to 5 cm, malignant formations have penetrated into the lymph nodes that surround the gland.
- Third - consists of category A (neoplasm more than 5 cm, lymph nodes are affected) and category B (tumor of any size, breast skin, lymph nodes, chest wall are affected).
- Fourth - the neoplasm has gone beyond the breast, the lymph nodes of the lungs, liver and other organs are affected.
The first three stages are considered early. Upon detection of an ailment and timely treatment, the survival rate is 70%.
Kinds
WHO staff, together with the world's oncologists, have developed the most complete classification of breast cancer. It allows you to fully describe the tumor.
The classification uses 8 main features:
- the size of the malignant tumor;
- location of localization;
- the volume of metastases in nearby lymph nodes;
- the presence of distant metastasis;
- stage of the tumor;
- cellular basis of pathology;
- the level of histopathology;
- cell expression.
Classification by shape
- Nodal - lump in the chest. It is found both round and irregular. Painless on palpation. In subsequent stages, ulcers may appear on the skin, the mammary gland is deformed.
- Edematous infiltrative - occupies almost the entire gland, causing minor pain. The skin in the lesions resembles an orange peel. Swelling appears near the nipple. Most often affects young women.
- Mastitis - edema develops. This leads to an increase in the organ, an increase in temperature. A large painful lump is felt.
- Rozhepodobnaya - resembles inflammation, which is accompanied by redness of the skin, thickening of the gland. Nodal neoplasms are not palpable.
- Armored - the tumor grows through the adipose, glandular tissue. It may spread to the second breast. Multiple seals are felt, the gland may decrease in volume.
- Paget's cancer - a crust forms near the nipple, ulcers appear on the chest, the nipple is deformed, the patient feels itching. This pathology occurs only in 5% of cases.
Location classification
- Leather - there is redness, peeling, ulcers, erosive foci. Any area can be affected.
- Nipple and areola - crusts form near the nipple, it is deformed, pulled inward. With Paget's cancer, the nipple can collapse completely. Cancer occurs in this area in 18% of patients. Doctors mark the pathology with the cipher C50.0 and C50.1.
- Upper inner quadrant - malignant formations are found in this area in 15% of patients. Code C50.2.
- Lower inner quadrant - the tumor is localized in 6% of patients. Code C50.3.
- Upper outer quadrant- pathology is localized in 50% of patients. Code C50.4.
- Lower outer quadrant - malignant formation is detected in 11% of patients. Code C50.5.
- Rear axillary - physicians mark the localization with the cipher C50.6.
Initial symptoms
The clinical picture of breast cancer in the initial stages is practically asymptomatic. It is similar to different types of mastopathy. Only with mastopathy, the seals are painful, and with oncology they are painless.
There are ten main symptoms for which you can suspect cancer.
Nipple wounds
The oncological process causes the appearance of small wounds that do not heal for a long time. They turn into ulcers, which get bigger. Some of them merge together. They can form on the nipple, areola, skin.
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Discharge from the nipple
Discharge may be normal during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In other cases, any liquid should alert. This is one of the signs of breast cancer.
Discharge color:
- transparent;
- cloudy whitish;
- bloody;
- purulent;
- yellowish.
The color of the discharge depends on how the disease progresses.
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Nipple retraction
A change in the nipple often indicates the presence of a pathological process. The tumor, located close to it, captures the tissue of the nipple, causing it to be drawn inward. If the nipples were normal before, then retraction of one or both of them may be a sign of breast cancer.
The nipple can not only be retracted, but also deformed, it becomes flattened.
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Breast lumps, visible on palpation
Statistics say that about 70% of women who have applied for cancer, have noticed some kind of compaction when probing. This is what made them turn to a specialist.
The presence of a lump or nodule does not always imply malignancy. It often turns out to be a benign tumor.
Slight breast tenderness
Breast tenderness itself in women of childbearing age is caused by stimulation of hormones. However, along with other signs, pain is a reason for contacting a specialist. It is also worth consulting if the pain is persistent and has no apparent cause.
Soreness is more often inherent in the formation and enlargement of the cyst. Cancer is a more insidious disease. In the early stages, it does not reach the nerve endings.
Shape changes
There is no complete symmetry in the nature of living organisms. The mammary glands may vary slightly in size. This asymmetry is only noticeable on closer inspection. In a malignant process, the asymmetry is so visible that it catches the eye. This happens when a tumor develops in one of the mammary glands.
Chest discomfort
The feeling of swelling, soreness is often associated with the menstrual cycle. However, if the discomfort persists, this is a reason for a more detailed examination. Also, the first sign of breast cancer is a painful lump that does not disappear after your period.
Changes in the skin
The skin of the breast may turn red. Many women ignore this symptom of breast cancer. They assume they have simply rubbed their skin or pressed on with a bra. If the redness persists, it is best to check with a specialist.
The cause of peeling, redness is a tumor that releases various toxins that irritate the skin.
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Hollow on the chest when raising the arm
Raising your arms up, you should pay attention to the behavior of the mammary gland. If a depression forms on its surface, this sign of breast cancer cannot be ignored.
The cause of the depression is a tumor that captures healthy tissue and attracts them to itself.
Enlargement and tenderness of regional lymph nodes
The second stage of pathology involves the defeat of malignant particles in the lymph nodes of the armpit. They increase in size, cause discomfort and soreness. Possible swelling of the armpit itself. This symptom is the reason for contacting a specialist.
Self-diagnosis
Self-diagnosis is the best way to detect the first signs of breast cancer. The procedure should be carried out no more than once a month. There is no sense in daily probing, since it will be difficult to recognize possible pathological changes.
The glands are examined on the seventh to tenth day of the menstrual cycle. It takes no more than 30 minutes. It will not be superfluous to keep records of the results of self-diagnosis. This will help you to detect the first signs of breast cancer on your own.
If you find seals or something suspicious, you should contact a specialist. You should not be upset, because it will not always be an oncological disease.
The correctness of the self-test:
- prepare a large mirror;
- take care of good lighting;
- carefully examine the bra for the presence of discharge in the nipples (dry crusts, spots of yellow or brown color);
- standing upright, lowering your arms to assess the size, shape of the chest;
- raising your hand and leading it behind your head, follow the movement of the gland, on which depressions, bulges, and discharge in the nipples should not be traced;
- check the skin for diaper rash, rash, orange peel;
- view nipples and areas for discoloration, cracks, spots, discharge;
- feel the mammary gland.
How to properly feel your breasts:
- hands should be greased with cream or soap;
- the gland is examined with the opposite hand, fingertips;
- movements should be circular, springy, starting from the nipple to move to the outer limits of the organ;
- pay special attention to the armpit (enlarged painful lymph nodes should be alerted).
If any changes are detected, it is worth contacting a specialist (gynecologist, mammologist). He differentiates the noticed changes, will be able to send for additional examination.
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January 8, 2018 12:57Breast cancer is extremely rare in adolescents. So rare that most organizations do not maintain disease statistics for this age group. (About how the modern is carried out).
However, during puberty, changes in the mammary glands can lead to cancer. To prevent the disease, you must carefully monitor your health and consult a doctor for any unknown changes.
Teens should be aware that breast changes are not something to be afraid of, and most are unlikely to mean breast cancer.
Breast cancer in adolescence
It is almost impossible to meet this disease in this age group. Disease cannot be diagnosed or ruled out based on symptoms alone. Because it is rare in adolescence, there are no reliable statistics on survival rates.
How does this happen in young women?
Young women face a much lower risk of breast cancer, and it is rare in adolescents. The changes that occur during puberty can be intimidating to any young woman. Some may be worried about developing breast cancer.
Early breast development often begins as a lump under the nipple, which is a concern for the teenager. These breast clots can be sensitive, causing unnecessary anxiety. Parents and doctors should reassure adolescents about normal breast growth, as breast development is new for girls and can be quite nervous.
Although rare, a teenager develops breast cancer. Here you can read how to conduct effective. Breast cancer, like all cancers, occurs when normal cells begin to grow and divide without control. Over time, this growth forms a tumor that damages healthy tissue and spreads to other parts of the body.
12 percent of women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. However, aging is a significant risk factor for the development of oncology. Genetic and cellular changes over time increase the likelihood of unusual cell growth in the breast. Thus, young women face much less risk.
Young women who develop breast cancer are more likely to have aggressive, fast-growing tumors. In addition, girls do not see a doctor for longer, which means that the prognosis for them will be much worse than for older women with this disease.
Poor diet during adolescence and early adulthood increases the risk of breast cancer.
How Common is Breast Cancer in Adolescents?
Even in young adult women, the chances of developing breast cancer are low. Less than 5 percent of cases occur in women under 40. At 30, the risk of developing cancer is 0.44 percent. There are currently fewer than 25 cases of breast cancer in women in every age group under 30. Among adolescents, this figure is close to zero.
These statistics mean that breast problems are most likely related to other causes, and this is often due to normal development.
Other reasons a teenager develops a breast tumor include:
- Fibroadenoma is a benign tumor of the glands. Typically, among women in their 20s and 30s, these indurations do not turn into cancer. They have clear boundaries and sizes ranging from small to several inches. They are associated with a slight increase in the risk of breast cancer.
- Phylodes are tumors that grow rapidly but are almost always benign. They are rare, but 10 percent of the time they can spread to other parts of the body. These growths are easy to remove.
- Cysts are small growths in breast tissue that look like pimples under the skin. Some women have fibrocystic breasts, which means they contain many cysts. Teens with fibrocystic breasts should see a doctor.
Types of breast cancer:
Similar to older women, teens with breast cancer can have many different types of the disease. The most common are:
- Local means the cancer is only in the breast. These cancers are easier to treat and less likely to be fatal. Ductal carcinomas and lobular carcinomas are common local cancers. Canal carcinoma is a non-invasive cancer sometimes called precancerous or stage 0 breast cancer. Lobular carcinoma grows in the milk ducts and usually does not spread.
- Invasive cancers are cancers that spread, potentially affecting the lungs, brain, liver, and other vital organs. He is fatal, especially if he is not immediately discovered and healed. There are invasive tumors of lobular carcinoma and ductal carcinoma.
- Inflammatory breast cancer that causes swelling or redness.
- Paget's disease is nipple cancer that spreads from the breast to the nipple and areola of angiosarcoma, or cancers that start in the blood or lymph vessels and spread to the breast.
- Phyllode tumors that turn into cancerous
Symptoms
An annual breast exam and a trusting relationship with your doctor are essential ingredients for diagnosing breast cancer. Even adolescents who have multiple symptoms should be aware that they are most likely related to development. About 90 percent of breast lumps are not associated with cancer. Oncological tumors tend to be rigid, with indistinct boundaries, and immobile.
Common symptoms of breast cancer include:
- swollen lymph nodes under your arms or in your neck
- unexplained changes in the size, shape, or symmetry of the breasts;
- changes in the skin of the breast or nipple;
- discharge from the nipple not associated with menstruation, pregnancy, or breastfeeding
- breasts that look red or swollen;
- wrinkled or dimpled breast skin;
- itching, scaly rash on the chest.
People with multiple risk factors for breast cancer may be more vulnerable. These risk factors include:
- a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes;
- have multiple relatives who have had breast or ovarian cancer;
- not being active or obese or overweight
- irradiation;
- taking estrogen therapy or hormonal birth control;
- pills;
- alcohol;
- smoking.
Survival of adolescents with breast cancer
In breast cancer, survival is high if treatment is started on time. This is especially true for non-invasive breast cancers that have not spread to other parts of the body. Treatment often includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, or a combination of procedures.
Self-examinations of breasts for lumps and other changes can help women detect early signs of cancer. More important than looking for specific changes is knowing how your breasts are doing. A change in shape or texture, a new clot, or other significant change can signal a problem, including cancer.
Women should have regular breast exams with their doctor. Those at high risk for breast cancer may need annual mammograms, although teens almost never fall into this category. Delaying treatment will lower your chances of survival as it allows the cancer to spread.
Conclusion
Thinking about breast cancer can be scary, especially for girls, when breasts are developing. However, most adolescents have no reason to worry about this. Instead of getting nervous, the best strategy is to adopt a healthy lifestyle that will help protect against future breast cancer.
A doctor can help girls and young women identify individual risks and help them understand unusual breast symptoms.
A cancer diagnosis sounds creepy even for an adult. But what parents feel when they are told that their child has cancer, it is impossible even to imagine. Especially if it's an adult form of cancer - breast cancer, for example.
Secretory carcinoma of the mammary gland - this diagnosis is generally infrequent. It is a rare form of cancer that affects 1 to 2 percent of women. The worst thing about this disease is that it most often attacks children and adolescents. Therefore, it is also called "juvenile cancer". He is quite aggressive and does not respond well to chemotherapy. Chrissy Turner had to face this misfortune. The girl was then only eight years old. Chrissy has become one of the youngest patients in the world with this diagnosis.
It all started with the fact that the girl complained of discomfort - a seal formed under the girl's right nipple, which was painful to touch. The parents immediately went to see doctors. We thought it was nothing serious, the maximum was to take antibiotics on drink. But Chrissy was sent for an ultrasound. And soon her parents heard the same terrible diagnosis.
“We were simply killed. How do you tell your own daughter that she has cancer? - recalls Chrissy's father, 45-year-old Troy. - Children should not face this. It's not fair". The man himself suffered from cancer, he had lymphoma. Chrissy's mom, Annette, also had cancer - a tumor in the cervix. Both coped, both are in remission. Therefore, the hope that everything will work out, Chrissy's parents still had. But they, like no one else, imagined what their little girl would have to go through.
And Chrissy was great. When she was told that she needed surgery, she burst into tears. She was very scared. “When my dad had cancer, he lost his hair. And some people die of cancer, ”she said in a conversation with People. Chrissy at her age perfectly understood what oncology is. But, despite all the horror, the girl showed remarkable strength of mind. As she herself admitted, everything is for the sake of her parents - Chrissy kept herself in control so that her mother would not cry.
The girl underwent a mastectomy. Then he needed rehabilitation, monthly visits to the oncologist, endless tests and scans. Everything needed money, and a lot. Fortunately, the family managed to collect them through online donations. For Chrissy's treatment, caring people raised more than 95 thousand dollars.
Two years have passed since then. Chrissy is in stable remission. Moreover, her story inspired so many people to fight. “She just charges people with optimism. Her whole appearance suggests that she is happy, she loves life. People look at her and understand: they, too, can emerge victorious in this struggle. Life goes on, ”says Annette.
Chrissy's remaining mammary gland has just begun to develop. When she turns 15-16, she will undergo another operation - breast reconstruction.
“I still remember how scared I was. But this illness taught me to never give up. I realized how important family is to me, and that we should be able to enjoy every second of life. I like to spend time with my friends and just have fun, ”says a 10-year-old girl, not childishly.
Breast cancer is a very dangerous disease, primarily because it slowly and practically without any symptoms invades a woman's body.
Symptoms of this disease may be different, moreover, these signs may indicate other diseases of the breast, but anyway, if they are detected, you should immediately contact a mammologist. A woman herself can identify the presence of a tumor by examining the breast and feeling it. As a rule, the tumor at the initial stage does not exceed 2 centimeters in size, and its structure can be irregular in shape, bumpy.
The main signs of breast cancer: the formation of a small abrasion, wounds on the nipple, some soreness in some areas of the mammary gland, bloody discharge from the nipple, change in the shape of the mammary gland when examined by palpation (when feeling). When the subcutaneous layer is pulled up to the tumor, then a kind of "retraction" occurs, which is another sign of a cancerous tumor. Irritation or flaking may appear on the nipples, and nipple retraction is often observed. In a neglected form, an ulcer appears on the skin of the mammary gland. Also, swelling and redness of the mammary gland is often observed. Because cancerous tumors metastasize, then there is swelling of the axillary lymph nodes.
A cancerous tumor can be localized in different ways in the mammary gland. Both the right and left breasts are affected at the same frequency. Moreover, a node in the second breast can be either an independent tumor or a metastasis from the first neoplasm. Breast cancer that affects both breasts is much less common.
The naked eye may notice on the affected breast a small lump, similar to small cartilage, or a rather soft knot, resembling dough in consistency. Such formations, as a rule, have a round shape, clear or blurred boundaries, a smooth or knobby surface. Sometimes neoplasms reach impressive sizes.
If at least one was found
of the above symptoms, you should immediately go to the hospital. Today, there are many methods for diagnosing a malignant breast tumor: ultrasound, biopsy, mammography, tumor markers, etc. But remember that half of women over the age of 30 have some changes in the mammary glands and if you notice some seals, then you should not panic prematurely, but just visit a doctor immediately.
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BREAST CANCER
STRUCTURE OF THE BREAST
The mammary gland is located on the anterior surface of the chest from 3 to 7 ribs. The mammary gland consists of lobules, ducts, adipose and connective tissue, blood and lymph vessels. The lymphatic vessels carry lymph, a clear fluid that contains cells of the immune system. Inside the mammary glands are lobules that produce milk after the baby is born and the tubes that connect them to the nipple (ducts). Most of the lymph vessels in the breast drain into the axillary lymph nodes. If tumor cells from the breast reach the axillary lymph nodes, then they form a tumor in that area. In this case, there is a possibility of the spread of tumor cells to other organs.
the incidence of breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and is the second leading cause of cancer death after lung tumors. Breast cancer affects about 1 million women worldwide every year. Breast cancer is diagnosed in the European Union every 2 minutes; every 6 minutes one woman dies. It is also one of the most studied and timely discovered forms of cancer. Breast cancer is most common between the ages of 55 and 65, however, there are regional and age differences, which is why breast cancer can be found in much younger women.
WHY DOES BREAST CANCER HAPPEN?
Although there are some known risk factors that increase the likelihood of breast cancer, there is no exact information about what causes most types of breast cancer or how these factors turn normal cells into malignant ones. Female hormones are known to sometimes stimulate the growth of breast cancer. However, how this happens has not yet been clarified.
Another challenging problem is understanding how certain DNA changes can convert normal breast cells into tumor cells. DNA is a chemical that carries information about the various activities of all cells. We are usually like our parents because they are the sources of our DNA. However, DNA affects more than just how we look.
Several genes (parts of DNA) control the growth, division, and death of cells. Breast cancer, like most cancers, arises from the natural aging process of cells and is caused by accumulated gene damage. Some genes promote cell division and are called oncogenes. Other genes slow down cell division or cause cell death and are called tumor suppressor genes. It is known that malignant tumors can be caused by mutations (changes) in DNA that trigger the development of a tumor or turn off genes that inhibit tumor growth.
The BRCA gene is a tumor suppressor gene. When it mutates, it ceases to inhibit tumor growth. This raises the likelihood of developing cancer. Certain inherited DNA changes can cause a high risk of cancer in humans.
BREAST CANCER RISK FACTORS.
Risk factors increase your chances of getting cancer. However, having a risk factor or even multiple risk factors does not mean that cancer will develop. The risk of breast cancer can change over time through, for example, changes in age or lifestyle.
Risk factors that cannot be changed:
Floor. Just being a woman means you have a major risk factor for breast cancer. Because women have significantly more breast cells than men, and possibly because their breast cells are affected by female growth hormones, breast cancer is significantly more common in women. Breast cancer is also possible in men, but this disease occurs 100 times less often than in women.
Age. The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. About 18% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed in women aged 40-50, while 77% of cancers are diagnosed after 50 years.
Genetic risk factors. About 10% of breast cancers are inherited as a result of gene changes (mutations). The most common changes occur in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Normally, these genes help prevent cancer by making proteins that prevent cells from becoming tumor cells. However, if the altered gene is inherited from one of their parents, then there is an increased risk of breast cancer.
Women with an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation have a 35-85% chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. Women with these inherited mutations also have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
Other genes have been identified that can lead to inherited breast cancer. One of them is the ATM gene. This gene is responsible for repairing damaged DNA. In some families with a high incidence of breast cancer, mutations in this gene have been identified. Another gene, CHEK-2, also increases the risk of breast cancer if it is mutated.
Inherited mutations in the p53 tumor suppression gene can also increase the risk of developing breast cancer, as well as leukemia, brain tumors, and various sarcomas.
Familial breast cancer. The risk of breast cancer is higher among women whose close (blood) relatives have had such a disease.
The risk of developing breast cancer is increased if:
have one or more relatives with breast or ovarian cancer, breast cancer occurred before the age of 50 in a relative (mother, sister, grandmother or aunt) on the mother's side; the risk is higher if the mother or sister has breast cancer, has relatives with breast or ovarian cancer, has one or more relatives with two breast and ovarian cancers or two different breast cancers, has a male relative (or relatives) with breast cancer, there are cases of breast or ovarian cancer in the family, there are diseases in the family associated with inherited breast cancer (Li-Fraumeni or Cowdens syndromes).
Having one immediate family member (mother, sister, or daughter) with breast cancer approximately doubles a woman's breast cancer risk, and having two immediate family members increases her risk by 5 times. And although the exact risk is unknown, women with a family history of breast cancer from a father or brother also have an increased risk of breast cancer. Thus, about 20-30% of women with breast cancer have a family member with this condition.
Individual history of breast cancer. A woman who has cancer in one breast has a 3 to 4 times increased risk of developing a new tumor in another gland or in another part of the same breast.
Race. White women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer than African American women. However, African American women are more likely to die of this cancer due to later diagnosis and advanced stages that are more difficult to treat. It is possible that African American women have more aggressive tumors. Women of Asian and Latino descent have a low risk of developing breast cancer.
Previous irradiation of the breast. If women, at a younger age, were treated for another tumor and received radiation therapy to the chest area, then they have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Younger patients have a higher risk. If radiation therapy is given in combination with chemotherapy, then the risk is reduced, as it often leads to the cessation of the production of ovarian hormones.
Menstrual periods. Women who start menstruating early (before age 12) or who menopause late (after age 50) have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer.
Lifestyle factors and breast cancer risk:
Lack of children. Childless women and women who have given birth to their first child after age 30 have a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer.
COMPLAINTS
Breast cancer is not always expressed in all women as a mass in the breast. It also happens that women who find a formation in their breasts go to the doctor only after many months. Unfortunately, during this time, the disease could already progress.
The most common symptoms of breast cancer are pain and discomfort... There may be other changes in the appearance and sensation of the breasts as well.
Breast formation
The doctor will determine the properties of education:
size (by measuring); location (clockwise and distance from the areola); consistency; connection to the skin, pectoral muscle, or chest wall.
Skin changes
The following changes in breast skin can be observed:
erythema; edema; indentations; nodules.
Nipple changes
Breast cancer can cause the following nipple changes:
retraction; color changes; erosion; discharge.
The lymph nodes
Breast cancer often spreads to nearby lymph nodes, so the doctor will examine the lymph nodes:
in the armpit; over the collarbone; under the collarbone.
Others
Other possible signs and symptoms:
pain or tenderness in the breasts (about 15% of cases); changes in the shape or size of the breast; deepening, retraction or induration of the skin; lemon peel symptom, nipple retraction, rash or discharge.
SURVEY METHODS
Medical checkup
Gynecologists have extensive experience in examining the mammary glands, so they are able to make the most accurate diagnosis. If the specialist is not suspicious, then you should not worry. Many doctors prefer to play it safe and may suggest further testing.
Blood test
In some types of breast cancer, a compound known as CA153 appears in the blood. The presence of such a "marker" in the bloodstream indicates breast cancer, but, unfortunately, its absence does not mean the opposite, since in many types of cancer this substance is not produced. Therefore, a negative test result does not mean that there is no breast cancer.
Mammography
Mammograms are most often done for screening purposes, but they can also be used if cancer is suspected. Therefore, they are called diagnostic mammograms. The study can show that there is no pathology, and the woman can continue the routine examination using this method. Otherwise, a biopsy (taking a piece of tissue for microscopic examination) may be required. A biopsy may be necessary even if mammography data is negative, but tumor formation in the mammary gland is determined. The only exception is the situation when an ultrasound examination shows the presence of a cyst.
Ultrasound examination (ultrasound) of the mammary glands
This method helps to distinguish a cyst from a tumor formation.
Biopsy
The only way to prove breast cancer is with a biopsy. There are several methods of biopsy. In some cases, a very thin needle is used to extract fluid or cells from the tumor. In other cases, thicker needles are used or some of the breast tissue is surgically removed.
A puncture biopsy uses a thick needle to obtain a tissue sample from the site of the suspected tumor. To make the procedure painless, local anesthesia is done before it is performed.
If the diagnosis is still in doubt, an excisional biopsy, or in other words, an excisional biopsy, is necessary. The advantage of this method is the ability to determine the size of the tumor and to assess in more detail the features of the histological structure.
During aspiration cytology, a small amount of fluid is taken from a suspicious place using a needle and examined under a microscope to see if it contains cancer cells.
A common and relatively easy examination method is fine needle aspiration. This method is often used when a cyst is suspected rather than breast cancer. The cyst usually contains a greenish fluid and usually resolves after aspiration.
Chest x-ray
It is used to detect damage to the lung tissue by a tumor process.
Bone scan
Allows you to identify their cancer damage. In this case, the patient receives very low doses of radiation. The detected lesions may not necessarily be cancer, but be the result of an infection.
Computed tomography (CT )
A special type of X-ray examination. With this method, multiple images are taken from different angles, which allows you to get a detailed picture of the internal organs. The study makes it possible to detect damage to the liver and other organs.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Based on the use of radio waves and strong magnets instead of X-rays. This method is used to examine the mammary glands, brain and spinal cord.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
This method uses a special form of glucose that contains a radioactive substance. Cancer cells absorb large amounts of this glucose, and a special detector then detects these cells. PET is done when cancer is suspected but there is no evidence for examining the lymph nodes before removing them.
After detecting breast cancer, an additional examination is carried out and a decision is made regarding therapy.
breast cancer treatment
There are several treatments for breast cancer. Talking to your doctor after the examination will help you make the right decision regarding the method of treatment. It is necessary to take into account the patient's age, general condition and stage of the tumor. Each treatment method has positive and negative aspects. Side effects and complications are possible.
Local and systemic treatment
The goal of topical treatment is to target the tumor without damaging other parts of the body. Surgery and radiation are examples of such treatments.
Systemic treatment consists of oral or intravenous anticancer drugs to target cancer cells that may have spread outside the breast. Chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and immunotherapy are among these treatments.
After surgery, when there are no obvious signs of a tumor, additional therapy may be prescribed. This is due to the fact that even in the early stages of breast cancer, tumor cells can spread throughout the body and ultimately lead to the formation of foci in other organs or bones. The goal of this therapy is to kill invisible cancer cells.
Some women are given chemotherapy before surgery to shrink the tumor.
Operation
Most women with breast cancer undergo some type of surgery to treat the primary tumor. The aim of the operation is to remove the tumor as much as possible. The surgery may be complemented by other treatments, such as chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or radiation therapy.
The operation can also be performed to clarify the spread of the process to the axillary lymph nodes, to restore the appearance of the breast (reconstructive surgery) or to reduce the symptoms of intoxication with advanced cancer.
1. Do self-examination.
2. Consult your doctor.
3. It is best to insure yourself by doing a blood test as described above.
4. Ultrasound examination once a year is safe and justified.
5. A suspicious area found during an ultrasound examination should be examined by mammography.
6. If cancer is suspected after mammography, a puncture biopsy, excisional biopsy, aspiration cytology, or fine needle aspiration should be considered.
Yes, although not often. But ... Now almost 30 percent of newly diagnosed cases of cancer are registered in women under the age of 30. And cancer in a 20-year-old girl is not uncommon. And if you remember that cancer develops within 10 years, it means that it begins much earlier ... Studies show that fibrocystic mastopathy can become malignant. Breast cancer is 3-5 times more likely to develop against the background of benign breast diseases and 30-40 times more often with nodular forms of mastopathy. Therefore, all mothers should monitor the development of their daughters' mammary glands and regularly visit a mammologist together. If this is laid down from childhood, the girl, becoming an adult, will continue to take care of herself.
- And if a girl has no abnormalities in the development of her mammary glands, should she be taken to a mammologist?
This is not necessary until about 10 years of age. But from the moment the breasts begin to grow, it is recommended to visit the mammologist once a year. The doctor looks at whether the mammary gland is forming correctly, if necessary, send it to an ultrasound scan
- What do mammologists most often face when children come to them?
With premature breast augmentation - gynecomastia. It may just be a physiological change, not necessarily a pathology. You just have to watch such patients. But if they do not go to a mammologist, but, say, to a district surgeon, then the treatment tactics may turn out to be wrong.
It is very important not to overlook true premature breast augmentation. Engorgement of the breast can be one of the first symptoms of premature puberty. Such a child should be monitored together with an endocrinologist.
Most often, mammologists are faced with physiological engorgement of the mammary glands in children. Ultrasonography usually shows that there are no nodes. However, there have been cases of cystic formations and lymphomas. Boys have similar problems. Of course, from the age of 12-13, adolescent gynecomastia is most often recorded, which will pass in six months. It is associated with a sharp increase in estrogen against the background of puberty. In six months, their action will balance male hormones. If after this period of time the problem persists, it is necessary to connect an endocrinologist. In more severe cases, surgery is done to reduce the boy's psychological discomfort.
- In what cases is mammography used in adolescents?
If there is bloody discharge from the nipple. Intraductal papilloma is revealed histologically. In addition, there are now many overweight girls. They have a lot of fatty tissue in their mammary glands, so they have to do mammography. If a girl has a large breast size, it will not hurt to conduct a mammographic examination so as not to miss the pathology. Modern equipment allows mammography to be performed on young women. A mammographic examination clearly shows the formation and its location. And it happens the other way around: there is no clear picture of the node on an X-ray, but an ultrasound scan reveals a cancerous formation. If something is difficult to understand on a mammogram, magnetic resonance imaging is done.
