Breast cancer refers to a disease in which the breast cells, in either or both breasts, grow in an unchecked manner. This rapid division of cells results in a breast cancer tumor.
Breast carcinoma can initiate in three parts: the lobules or glands producing milk, the ducts or tubes, which assist in delivering milk to the nipples, and the connective tissues surrounding the ducts and lobules.
As the name suggests, this carcinoma starts in the breast tissue and can easily invade the tissues surrounding the breasts. In addition, cancer can spread to other parts of the body, forming new tumors. This spreading of tumors to other body parts is called metastasis.
The common symptoms of cancer of the breast include breast lumps, a change in breast size, and changes in the breast skin.
As far as its prevalence is concerned, breast carcinoma is counted among the most common cancers across the globe. In India, it is the top most common cancer among women.
Although rare, men can also develop this type of cancer.
Cancer can start in different parts of the breast, and as per the location of the tumor, the types of breast cancer are classified.
The different parts of the breasts where cancer can start are the lobules, ducts, nipple, stroma, blood vessels, and lymph vessels.
Breast lobules are the glands located inside the breast tissue that are responsible for producing breast milk. The cancer that originates in the lobules is called lobular cancer.
Breast ducts are tiny canals that are responsible for carrying milk to the nipple from the lobules. Carcinoma that starts in the ducts is called ductal cancer.
The nipple is the opening in the breast skin where the ducts join together to form bigger ducts to ensure the smooth release of breast milk. The cancer that forms in the nipple is called Paget disease of the breast. This is a rare form of breast carcinoma.
Fat and connective tissue, or stroma, is responsible for offering support and protection to the breast tissue. The cancer that starts in the stroma is called a phyllodes tumor.
Blood vessels and lymph vessels are essential parts of the breast. The blood vessels are responsible for carrying nutrients and oxygen to the breast tissue, while the lymph vessels assist in removing any waste and additional fluids from the breasts. The cancer that initiates in the vessel lining is called angiosarcoma.
The two broadly available types of breast cancer include invasive breast cancer and non-invasive breast cancer. The specific location of these cancers and their ability to spread are primarily used to categorize the following different types of breast cancer.
Infiltrating (invasive) ductal carcinoma is one of the most common types of breast cancer, where abnormal cancerous cells initiate in the breast's milk ducts and invade the surrounding tissues. With time, this invasive breast carcinoma may spread to the lymph nodes or bloodstream. Also, infiltrating ductal carcinoma is one of the types of breast cancer that commonly affects men.
There are some rare types of invasive ductal carcinoma, which include:
Medullary carcinoma is a rare subtype of invasive breast cancer that forms in the breast's milk duct cells.
Metaplastic carcinoma is a rare subtype of aggressively growing infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Under a breast cancer imaging test, the metaplastic carcinoma cells appear to be a mixture of breast cells and other cell types, such as bone, muscle, skin, and cartilage.
Mucinous or colloid carcinoma is another rare type of invasive breast cancer that starts in the milk ducts and then moves further to other healthy body tissues. In this carcinoma, the cancerous cells form in the mucin, a major component of mucus.
Papillary carcinoma is a very rare type of invasive breast carcinoma that is defined by the growth of uniquely shaped projections known as papillae.
Another rare type of invasive breast carcinoma is tubular carcinoma. These cancerous cells possess tube-like structures and are quite small in size. This cancer also develops in the milk ducts and then moves to other tissues.
Ductal carcinoma in situ implies a non-invasive breast carcinoma, which develops when the cells present in the milk ducts' lining become cancerous. However, this type of cancer does not spread to the surrounding tissues.
Infiltrating invasive lobular carcinoma is a breast tumor type that starts in the lobules or glands that are responsible for producing milk in the breast. It is an invasive cancer that can easily invade nearby tissues.
Lobular carcinoma in situ is not classified as cancer, but a patient diagnosed with this condition has a high risk of developing breast carcinoma. As per experts, lobular carcinoma in situ implies a situation where the cells in the breast lobules become abnormal.
When a breast tumor does not show any receptors for the three proteins—progesterone, estrogen, and HER2/ne—which are usually found in carcinoma of the breast, it is termed a triple-negative breast cancer.
Inflammatory breast cancer is an aggressive found mainly in the lobules or ducts. Also, this form of cancer does not possess any receptors for progesterone, estrogen, or HER2/neu.
Paget's disease of the breast is a type of carcinoma that gets formed in the areola, or pigmented skin, which surrounds the nipples.
The breast cancer stages are classified according to aspects such as the location and size of the tumor, the extent of cancer spread in the body, the tumor grades, and the presence or absence of specific biomarkers.
Stage 0 breast cancer is also referred to as ductal carcinoma in situ and is the earliest stage. At this stage, the cancer is limited to the milk ducts only and has not spread to the nearby tissues.
Stage 1 breast cancer means the tumor is localized and its size is smaller than or equivalent to 2 centimeters. Also, the cancerous cells at this stage do not spread to the lymph nodes or other organs.
At a more advanced stage, at stage 2, the tumor gets larger than 2 centimeters and may begin spreading to the lymph nodes but not to other body parts.
At this stage, the tumor has grown in size, i.e., more than 5 centimeters, and is spreading to the lymph nodes and maybe other nearby organs.
Stage 4 is the final and most advanced stage, when cancer metastasizes to the lymph nodes and prominent body organs, such as the lungs, bones, or liver.
Breast cancer symptoms may vary from patient to patient. However, some of the first symptoms of breast cancer include a new, painless lump, swelling or change in the appearance of the breasts, and changes in the texture of the skin of the nipples.
Some signs and symptoms of breast cancer may vary depending on the patient's age, location of the cancerous tumor, and the type of cancer.
An early diagnosis is a critical factor in increasing the survival rates of cancer. However, having these signs does not mean the patient suffers from breast carcinoma. For a definitive diagnosis of breast cancer, doctors will recommend additional tests, such as imaging scans and a biopsy.
Breast cancer is primarily seen in women. However, it can be rarely seen in men as well.
Middle-aged women who are above the age of 50 are found to have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Various factors, such as tobacco and alcohol consumption, family history, obesity, hormone replacement therapy, etc., can increase one’s breast cancer risk.
The most common breast tumor symptoms include a lump or mass located in the breasts or armpits, changes in the shape and appearance of the breast, discharge from the nipple, even blood, and pain in any part of the breast.
A painless or painful lump in the breast or underarm is one of the early symptoms of breast cancer. Though not every lump is cancerous, it is always advisable to get new lumps that do not go away checked.
If the patient witnesses any kind of change in the appearance of the breast, for example, an increase in the size of the breast, it may be one of the early signs of breast cancer. Also, a change in the shape of the breast over a short period of time can be a symptom of breast carcinoma.
Skin changes, such as the sudden appearance of rashes, redness, or dimpling of the breast skin, are some more first signs of breast cancer.
If any of the nipples become inverted suddenly, it is advisable to get them checked, as it can be one of the breast tumor symptoms.
Redness in the breasts or pitting of the breast skin is also counted among the breast cancer symptoms. This can also be a sign of a more serious kind of breast cancer, inflammatory breast cancer.
Other common breast tumor symptoms include irritation in the skin of the breast and a dimpling effect on the skin.
An unusual discharge from the nipples, including blood, can also be one of the early symptoms of breast cancer. Patients with breast cancer also feel a new lump on their breast.
Though pain in the breast is often related to menstrual cycles among women, some types of breast cancer also cause discomfort or pain.
Since there are different types of breast carcinomas, some of them share symptoms, while others display unique signs. Here are the different breast cancer types and the symptoms associated with them:
Ductal carcinoma usually does not show any symptoms. However, some patients with this breast cancer type present with some of the first signs of breast cancer, such as a breast lump, a red-colored rash on the nipple, and discharge from the nipple.
The common lobular carcinoma symptoms include a change in the size and shape of the breast, changes in the nipple, such as getting inverted, the formation of lumps in the armpit or inside the breast, dimpling, or a dent in the breast skin.
In addition, the metastatic lobular carcinoma symptoms include weight loss without effort, shortness of breath, persistent bone pain, headaches, and dizziness.
The invasive breast cancer symptoms may be absent during the early stages, but as time passes, patients start experiencing symptoms like abnormal nipple discharges, a change in the appearance of the skin of the nipple or the breast, redness of the skin, changes in the shape of the nipple's position, and the presence of a mass or lump in the breast.
These signs are similar to stage 1 breast cancer symptoms, and should not be ignored.
Metastatic breast cancer symptoms, or last stage of breast cancer symptoms, are seen when the disease has spread to other organs in the body. The symptoms of metastatic breast cancer differ as per the location of the tumor's spread. Some of the symptoms include changes in vision, fatigue, pain in the bones, and pain in the neck or back.
The symptoms of triple-negative breast cancer are similar to some of the common and first signs of breast cancer. These include nipple retraction, discharge from the nipples, a new breast cancer lump, dimpling of the breast skin, and swollen lymph nodes in case the tumor has spread to the lymph nodes in the arm.
Since Paget's disease of the breast starts from the nipple and then spreads to the areola, the dark-colored skin around the nipple, its symptoms include flaky skin of the nipple, redness of the nipples, an inverted nipple, discharge from the nipple, and hardened or crusty skin on the nipple.
The symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer include discoloration of the skin or a rash that spreads to one-third of the breast, pain, itching, swelling in one of the breasts, inverted or retracted nipples, and dimpling of the skin of the breast.
Papillary carcinoma is a rare type that presents with breast cancer symptoms similar to those of other breast cancer types. These include an inverted nipple, pain in the breast, discharge from the nipple, and changes in the size and shape of the breast.
The primary symptoms of angiosarcoma include swelling in the breasts, an increase in the size of the breast, a feeling of fullness in the breast, rashes or bruises on the skin, and the growth of purple-colored nodules in the skin.
The question of what is the reason for breast cancer can have many answers, as various aspects can affect an individual’s chances of getting diagnosed with it.
Increasing age is one of the prominent risk factors for breast carcinoma, as most of the said cancers affect women who are over the age of 50. Also, men who are over the age of 60 are more affected by breast carcinoma.
Breast cancer is more commonly found among women than men, as women have more breast cells.
One of the common reasons for breast cancer is having a family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer. Having mutated BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can be one of the possible causes of breast cancer.
Also, having mutations in the genes of TP53 and CHEK2 increases the chances of getting breast cancer. Individuals often inherit these mutations from their parents.
Tobacco and alcohol consumption have also been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.
Excess alcohol usage is also counted among the major causes of breast cancer.
Obesity is also one of the main reasons for breast cancer, and it is found to increase the risk of recurrence as well.
Radiation exposure to the regions of the head, chest, and neck can also be a major cause of breast cancer.
People who have undergone hormone replacement therapy also have a higher risk of developing breast carcinoma.
As soon as you witness any of the early signs of breast cancer, it is advisable to go to your physician, who will further recommend you visit an oncologist. The oncologist would then perform some further tests to confirm the presence of cancerous cells.
The diagnosis of breast cancer, just like any other cancer, if done at an early stage, can increase the patient's survival rates. The reason is that with early detection, it is possible to treat breast cancer with excellent clinical outcomes, improving the patient's survival chances and quality of life.
There are various tests and examinations that can help in the diagnosis of breast cancer. However, the selection of the test depends on different aspects. These factors include the initial symptoms of breast cancer, the type of cancer suspected, the patient's age and overall health, and the results of any prior medical tests conducted.
Here are the commonly recommended tests for breast cancer detection:
A breast exam is a method for early detection of breast cancer. During this test, the doctor checks the patient's breasts and lymph nodes above the arms and collarbone for any lumps, changes in the size or shape of the breast, or any other kind of abnormality.
A breast cancer mammogram involves X-ray imaging of the breasts, during which the technician will look for abnormalities in the tissues or areas of the breast. Physicians use mammograms for early-stage breast cancer diagnosis, as this is one of the most effective procedures for breast cancer diagnosis.
There are mainly two types of mammograms: a screening mammogram and a diagnostic mammogram. The screening mammogram is used to check for any initial signs of cancer before the appearance of any symptoms.
The diagnostic mammogram, on the other hand, is used to examine the breast tissue in detail, and it is usually recommended after women start experiencing breast cancer symptoms or if the screening mammogram reports any anomalies.
One of the common methods used for the detection of breast cancer is an ultrasound scan. When talking about how to detect breast cancer, many experts consider this method to be one of the most effective tests for breast cancer diagnosis. The breast ultrasound uses sound waves and echoes to produce detailed images of the internal structures of the breast.
When the imaging tests show that a patient might have breast cancer, the oncologist may suggest a biopsy. During the biopsy, the doctor may collect a sample of breast tissue to test it for the presence of cancerous cells. Biopsy is regarded as a highly effective method for the diagnosis of breast cancer.
Another method used for the detection of breast cancer is breast magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI. During an MRI, a dye is injected into the patient's vein in the arm, which creates images of the breast. These clear images are helpful in reflecting any kind of abnormality in the breast.
Apart from diagnostic tests, doctors also recommend additional tests to study the behavior of breast cancer cells. These additional tests help specialists devise a personalized care plan for each breast cancer case. Here are the tests doctors perform to study the cancerous cells present in the breast:
As estrogen and progesterone receptors are known to stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells, doctors often conduct this test. As the name suggests, this test is used to look for receptors that can easily attach to the estrogen and progesterone hormones in the breast cancer tissue sample. This test helps determine if hormone therapy would be an effective treatment option.
Doctors conduct this test to check whether the breast cancer is HER-2 positive or not. HER-2, or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, is a protein that promotes breast cancer cells' growth. This test helps determine if target therapy would be an effective treatment option.
Multigene testing is a test conducted to study multiple genes in one test. The test is helpful for genetic breast cancer. This test is mainly used for checking a patient's risk of developing cancer or getting more information on the likelihood of recurrence of the cancer. Also, this test is useful to determine breast cancer prognosis.
Oncotype DX is a tumor profiling test that predicts the extent of the spread of cancerous cells over time. The test is useful for people with early-stage breast cancer and for analyzing the benefits of chemotherapy for breast cancer and the chances of recurrence. The test is conducted to analyze the cure rate of breast cancer among patients.
MammaPrint is a multigene test that is used to study gene activity in early-stage breast cancer. The test is used to assess the metastatic properties of breast cancer in a particular patient. This test is also recommended to analyze the chances of disease recurrence.
Breast cancer treatment depends on factors such as the type of breast cancer and the extent of its spread. The treatment plans also depend on multiple factors, namely the tumor's subtype, genomic testing for genetic breast cancer, the patient's overall health and age, and the cancer's stage.
Breast cancer surgery is considered the main line of treatment for most cancer types. A breast cancer operation is recommended when it is possible to remove the tumor and the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body.
However, the need for surgery has no effect on the need for therapies, such as chemotherapy for breast carcinoma, hormone therapy for breast cancer, and targeted therapies. The following are the different types of breast cancer surgery recommended based on the stage of the disease:
Lumpectomy is an effective line of breast cancer treatment that is also popularly known as a breast-conserving operation. This is an effective treatment when the patient has the initial symptoms of breast cancer, the cancer is small, and the cancerous cells have not spread to other parts of the body. The biggest advantage of this breast cancer operation is that the patient gets to keep most of the breast. However, the doctor may recommend radiotherapy for breast cancer following the lumpectomy.
Another line of breast cancer treatment is mastectomy, which is used for treating both late-stage and early-stage breast cancer. A masectomy involves the removal of all the breast tissue if the patient is suffering from breast cancer or is at high risk of getting it. The two types of mastectomy are unilateral mastectomy and bilateral mastectomy. Unilateral mastectomy refers to the removal of one breast, and bilateral mastectomy refers to the removal of both breasts.
The sentinel node biopsy is conducted during breast cancer surgery for the removal of the original cancer from the breast. During the surgery, the doctor would remove the sentinel node (the first lymph nodes to which the cancer often spreads) to check for the presence of cancerous cells. This surgery is conducted to check whether the breast cancer has spread to lymph nodes or not.
This surgery is conducted if the sentinel node biopsy test is positive for breast cancer. In the axillary lymph node dissection, the doctor will remove a part of the fatty tissue that contains the axillary lymph nodes, located under the arm.
Removal of both breasts is termed a bilateral mastectomy, which is performed as a preventive breast cancer treatment for women who are at a higher risk of getting the cancer.
Radiation therapy is known to be an effective treatment for breast cancer and uses X-rays and protons to kill cancerous cells. Radiotherapy for breast cancer may often be recommended along with surgery or other treatments to enhance the overall efficacy of the treatment.
Chemotherapy for breast cancer makes use of drugs to target and destroy the cancerous cells. During the procedure, the drugs are injected into a patient's vein through a needle or administered through pills. Chemotherapy for breast cancer may be administered before or after the surgery, depending on the case.
Hormone therapy for breast cancer involves a procedure to either slow down or stop the rapid growth of hormone-sensitive cancer cells or lower the level of estrogen in the body, which can help breast cancer cells grow. This procedure is also known as endocrine therapy for breast cancer. The side effects of hormone therapy for breast cancer include vaginal dryness, hot flashes, and night sweats.
Targeted therapy refers to a form of breast cancer treatment, where drugs are used to target specific proteins present on the breast cancer cells that help them grow, spread, and sustain themselves for a long time. Targeted therapy drugs treat breast cancer by killing cancer cells or blocking their growth.
Another course of treatment for breast cancer is immunotherapy, which uses medicines to strengthen a person's immune system so that it can easily recognize and destroy cancerous cells.
Supportive or palliative care is usually recommended for advanced-stage breast cancer patients to help them manage their symptoms and receive the support required to improve their quality of life.
Multiple factors affect breast cancer prognosis. These factors are considered important while planning breast cancer treatment:
The disease stage is the primary prognostic factor for determining the treatment of the cancer. Stage is the measure of the extent to which the cancer has spread from the location of its origin. Early-stage cancer is localized, easy to treat, and has a lower risk of recurrence than later-stage cancer, which needs more comprehensive treatment approaches and has a higher risk of recurrence.
Knowing the types of breast cancer is important to devise an appropriate treatment plan for breast cancer; it can also help in evaluating the risk of recurrence.
If the patient has one or both estrogen and progesterone receptor hormones, the doctor may recommend hormone therapy drugs.
The human epidermal growth factor type 2 receptor is responsible for controlling the proteins present on the surface of cells and promoting their growth. HER2-positive breast cancers show better response rates.
Another factor that affects the prognosis and treatment is the rate at which the tumor is growing in the body.
Another factor affecting the treatment of breast cancer is the age of the patient at the time of diagnosis. Breast cancer affects women who are over the age of 50 and have undergone menopause.
The stage at which breast cancer is diagnosed and its recurrence levels also play a significant role in designing the treatment course for the disease.
HCG boasts a highly skilled team of experts who have relevant knowledge and experience on how to diagnose breast cancer and design its treatment. In addition, the doctors working here have the perfect expertise for deciding what is the best treatment for breast cancer as per each patient's breast cancer symptoms and other patient-specific parameters.
Primary prevention of breast cancer is dependent on many aspects, but the most effective is an early diagnosis. Also, knowing about breast cancer risk factors is the first step towards both diagnosing and preventing advanced breast cancer.
A risk factor is something that can increase a person's chances of getting a particular disease. Multiple breast cancer risk factors have been identified, and they can increase the risk of breast cancer. Certain breast cancer risk factors are beyond a person's control, such as genetics, age, and family history, but there are some that can be easily controlled. It is possible to regulate the risk of breast cancer by modifying controllable or lifestyle-related risk factors.
Here are some risk factors that are not in an individual's control and cannot be avoided easily. However, understanding these risk factors can be the best way to understand how to avoid breast cancer to some extent.
One of the major breast risk factors is increasing age. Multiple studies have reported that breast cancer is more prevalent among women who are over the age of 50 and men who are over 60 years of age.
Genetic mutations are known as one of the major female breast cancer risk factors. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the two genes related to breast cancer in hereditary lines. Mutations in these genes can increase breast cancer risk.
Reproductive history is also related to female breast cancer risk factors. Girls who start their menstrual cycle before the age of 12 and women who get their menopause after the age of 55 are more prone to breast carcinoma, as they are exposed to estrogen for a longer period of time.
Having dense breasts is also regarded as a major risk factor for breast carcinoma. The reason is that dense breasts have more connectivity tissues as compared to fatty tissues, which makes it difficult for the physician to see these cancerous cells on the mammogram.
Another important breast cancer risk factor is the personal history of breast diseases. Women who have suffered from breast diseases in the past are more likely to get them again. Also, some diseases, such as lobular carcinoma in situ or atypical ductal hyperplasia, increase a person's chances of getting cancer.
A female patient's chances of suffering from breast carcinoma increase significantly if she has a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Thus, experts advise such women to go for regular checkups for effective prevention of breast cancer.
Patients who have undergone radiation therapy also have an increased risk of getting breast cancer.
Women in the past were administered the drug diethylstilbestrol to prevent miscarriage, which increased their chances of getting breast cancer.
Here are some risk factors that are within an individual's control and can help in the potential prevention of breast cancer.
Multiple studies have revealed a link between not being physically active, obesity, and breast cancer. The reason is that when a person exercises, his blood levels of insulin and blood sugar both remain under control. Insulin has a major effect on the growth of breast cancer cells.
Another major risk factor for the growth of breast cancerous cells is being overweight or having weight gain after menopause.
An individual undergoing hormone replacement therapy with hormones such as estrogen and progesterone can also have an increased risk for the disease.
Women who undergo pregnancy after the age of 30, do not breastfeed, and do not have a full-term pregnancy are at a higher risk of getting breast cancer.
Consumption of excess alcohol also increases a person's risk of getting breast cancer. Thus, doctors advise limiting one's alcohol intake to prevent breast cancer.
Women who have been using oral contraceptives or birth control pills have a relatively modest risk of developing breast cancer as compared to women who have never used them.
Here are some effective steps to follow when seeking an answer for how to prevent breast cancer or how to avoid breast cancer. As risk factors and prevention for breast cancer go hand in hand, keeping a check on the risk factors also helps significantly in reducing one’s breast cancer risk.
Doctors often advise maintaining a healthy weight as a preventive measure for breast cancer. The reason is that excess fat tissue in the body is linked to higher chances of getting breast cancer. Also, being overweight can lead to an excess of insulin hormone in the body, a hormone related to breast cancer growth.
It is advised to exercise every day for at least 30 minutes to prevent the growth of breast cancer cells in the body. Being physically active helps keep weight in check and prevents the growth of fat tissues.
Consuming fruits and vegetables is imperative, as they contain antioxidants and phytochemicals that can reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to an increase in the level of estrogen in the body, which can eventually lead to an increased risk of breast cancer.
Smoking not only increases your risk of breast cancer but can lead to 15 different types of cancer.
There are multiple studies that indicate that breastfeeding your baby can greatly prevent breast cancer.
Birth control pills, if taken at a higher age of more than 35 years, increase your risk of breast cancer. Therefore, it is better to reduce the intake of birth control pills and talk to the doctor about alternate contraception methods.
Hormone therapy for menopause has its advantages, but taking hormones can also increase the risk of breast cancer. The reason is that estrogen, when combined with progestin, increases the risk of breast cancer.Therefore, consider talking to the doctor about alternate measures to manage the menopause symptoms.
Many studies have proven that a combination of different risk factors increases the risk of breast cancer. However, the main factor that poses a high risk for breast cancer is increasing age, especially for women who are over 50 and have undergone menopause. Also, females who have a family history of breast cancer are at higher risk.
Therefore, it is important for these women to follow appropriate preventive measures to bring down their breast cancer risk and opt for regular breast cancer screening.
Being diagnosed with breast carcinoma can cause immense distress for patients. However, it is important to be aware of the different risk factors that are associated with breast cancer and the early symptoms of this disease. This helps in the early detection and timely treatment of this disease.
Early detection and timely intervention play a pivotal role in successfully managing breast carcinoma. Therefore, it is important for women to be mindful of the different breast cancer symptoms and see a doctor when they come across something alarming.