About Department

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide, though it can also occur in men. It originates in the cells of the breast, typically in the ducts (ductal carcinoma) or the lobules (lobular carcinoma). Here's a comprehensive overview of breast cancer:

Types of Breast Cancer

1. Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS): A non-invasive cancer where abnormal cells are found in the lining of a breast duct but haven't spread outside the duct.
2. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC): The most common type, where cancer cells break out of the ducts and invade nearby tissues.
3. Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC): Cancer that begins in the lobules and spreads to nearby tissues.
4. Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Lacks estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors, making it more challenging to treat.
5. HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Has excess HER2 protein, which promotes cancer cell growth.
6. Inflammatory Breast Cancer: A rare and aggressive form where cancer cells block lymph vessels in the skin of the breast, causing swelling and redness.
7. Paget’s Disease of the Nipple: A rare cancer involving the skin of the nipple and areola.

Risk Factors

• Genetic Mutations: BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations significantly increase the risk.
• Family History: A family history of breast cancer increases the risk.
• Age: The risk increases with age.
• Hormone Replacement Therapy: Prolonged use can increase risk.
• Reproductive History: Early menstruation, late menopause, and having children later or not at all can increase risk.
• Lifestyle Factors: Obesity, alcohol consumption, and lack of physical activity are associated with higher risk.

Symptoms

• A lump or thickening in the breast or underarm
• Change in size, shape, or appearance of the breast
• Skin changes, such as dimpling or redness
• Nipple discharge or inversion
• Persistent pain in the breast or nipple

Diagnosis

1. Self-Exams and Clinical Breast Exams: Regular self-exams and check-ups can help detect changes early.
2. Mammography: X-ray imaging to screen for breast cancer.
3. Ultrasound: Used to evaluate abnormalities found during a mammogram.
4. MRI: Detailed imaging for high-risk patients or further evaluation.
5. Biopsy: Removing tissue samples for laboratory analysis to confirm cancer.

Treatment

Surgery

• Lumpectomy: Removing the tumor and some surrounding tissue.
• Mastectomy: Removing one or both breasts, partially or completely.
• Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy: Checking the first few lymph nodes that cancer might spread to.
• Axillary Lymph Node Dissection: Removing additional lymph nodes if cancer is found in the sentinel nodes.

Radiation Therapy

• Used to destroy remaining cancer cells post-surgery, often combined with lumpectomy.

Chemotherapy

• Uses drugs to destroy cancer cells, often administered before surgery (neoadjuvant) or after surgery (adjuvant).

Hormone Therapy

• For hormone receptor-positive breast cancers, medications like tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors can block cancer growth.

Targeted Therapy

• Drugs that target specific characteristics of cancer cells, such as HER2-positive breast cancer treatments like trastuzumab (Herceptin).

Immunotherapy

• Using the body's immune system to fight cancer, effective in certain types of breast cancer like triple-negative.

Follow-Up Care

Regular follow-up visits to monitor for recurrence, manage side effects, and provide support for physical and emotional recovery.

Prevention and Early Detection

• Lifestyle Modifications: Healthy diet, regular exercise, limiting alcohol, and maintaining a healthy weight.
• Regular Screenings: Annual mammograms starting at age 40-50, earlier for those at high risk.
• Genetic Testing and Counseling: For those with a family history of breast cancer, testing for BRCA and other gene mutations can guide preventive measures.