The Diagnosis And Treatment Of Breast Cancer - amazonia.fiocruz.br

Breast cancer is a common cancer, with more thanindividuals diagnosed in the United States each year. The normal breast has 6 to 9 overlapping sections called lobes and within each lobe are several smaller lobules that contain the cells that produce milk. The lobes and lobules are linked by thin tubes called ducts, which lead to the nipple in the center of the breast. The spaces around the lobules and ducts are filled with fat.

Lymph vessels carry colorless fluid called lymph, which contains important immune cells. The lymph vessels lead to small bean-shaped structures called lymph nodes. Clusters of lymph nodes are found in the axilla under the armabove the collarbone, and in the chest. A breast cancer begins when healthy cells in the breast change and grow out of control.

Most breast cancers start in the ducts or lobes and are called ductal carcinoma or lobular carcinoma. Although breast cancer most commonly spreads to nearby lymph nodes, it can also TTreatment further through the body to areas such as the bones, lungs, liver, and brain. This is called metastasis. As a result of advocacy and advances in scientific knowledge our understanding of breast cancer continues to evolve. In recent years we have witnessed a steady improvement in the early detection of breast cancer, the prevention of breast cancer in high-risk individuals through genetic testing, and improved outcomes of individuals with both early and advanced stage disease. There is indeed much to be optimistic about. The suspicion of breast cancer often first arises when a lump is detected in the breast during breast examination or a suspicious area is identified during screening mammography.

Overview of Breast Cancer

In order to diagnose the cause of the suspicious area or lump in the breast, a physician will perform a biopsy. Other signs and symptoms of breast cancer include:.

There are many types of breast tumors. Some breast tumors are benign not cancerous. Benign breast tumors such as fibroadenomas or papillomas do not spread outside of the breast and are not life threatening. Other breast tumors are malignant cancerous.

The most common type of breast cancer is called ductal carcinoma and begins in the lining of the ducts.

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Another type of cancer is called lobular carcinoma, which arises in the lobules. Breast cancer can be invasive or noninvasive. Invasive breast cancer is cancer that spreads into surrounding tissues. Noninvasive breast cancer does not go beyond the milk ducts or lobules in the breast.

Less common types of breast cancer include:. Genetics is extremely important; women with a family history of breast cancer in a first degree relative mother, sister, or daughter have an increased risk of breast cancer and often have inherited genes that increase their risk of developing breast cancer. If a suspicious or a precancerous lesion is found in the breast, a biopsy and additional tests will be recommended to determine whether invasive cancer exists.

Treatment & Management of Breast Cancer

A biopsy can be performed on an outpatient basis. During a biopsy, a physician removes cells for examination in the laboratory to determine whether cancer is present. If the biopsy indicates that cancer is present, additional surgery may be performed after a course of treatment is selected. When cancer is identified in the biopsy specimen, Trestment other tests should also be performed on the specimen in order to further classify the cancer and determine the optimal treatment strategy. Based on the stage of the cancer and the results of these tests, treatment of breast cancer is personalized for each individual. Stage is a measure of the extent of spread of the cancer. This may be assessed through either sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection.]