Overview of Breast Cancer

Definition: Cancer forming in the cells of the breast, which can be invasive (spreading to surrounding tissue) or in situ (contained).

Symptoms: Changes in nipple appearance, skin changes, or abnormal/bloody fluid from the nipple.

Types: The most common are invasive ductal carcinoma ( 80%) and invasive lobular carcinoma (10%).

Diagnosis & Staging: Involves imaging (mammography, ultrasound) and biopsy to determine the type and extent of spread.

Treatment Options

Treatment usually involves a multidisciplinary approach tailored to the patient.

Surgery: Breast-conserving surgery (Lumpectomy): Removal of the tumor and a margin of healthy tissue.

Mastectomy: Removal of the entire breast.

Lymph node evaluation: Sentinel node biopsy or axillary dissection is used to check if the cancer has spread.

Radiation Therapy: High-energy rays used to kill remaining cancer cells, often used after surgery.

Systemic Therapies (Targeting the whole body):

Chemotherapy: Drugs used to destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells.

Hormone Therapy: Used for hormone receptor-positive cancers to block or lower hormones like estrogen.

Targeted Therapy: Drugs (e.g., for HER2-positive) that attack specific characteristics of cancer cells.

Immunotherapy: Boosts the immune system to fight cancer, sometimes used for triple-negative breast cancer.

Treatment Considerations

Early-Stage (I-III): Surgery is the main treatment, often followed by radiation and/or systemic therapy.

Personalized Medicine: Treatment is increasingly based on the genetic, hormonal, and molecular characteristics of the tumor.

Long-term Management: Follow-up care is essential to manage potential recurrence, involving physical exams and annual mammography.