Breast Cancer: Symptoms, Treatments
Breast Cancer: Symptoms, Treatments.
Breast cancer is a disease that affects millions of women around the world. It occurs when some cells in the breast tissue grow abnormally and form a tumor that can invade other parts of the body. Breast cancer can cause various symptoms, depending on the type and stage of the disease. It can also be treated with different methods, depending on the characteristics and needs of each patient. However, there is no definitive cure for breast cancer, although many people can survive and live well after a diagnosis. In this article, we will explore the main aspects of breast cancer symptoms, treatments, and cures.
Symptoms of breast cancer
The most common symptom of breast cancer is a new lump or mass in the breast that feels different from the surrounding tissue. However, not all lumps are cancerous, and some breast cancers do not cause any lumps. Therefore, it is important to be aware of other changes in the breast that may indicate a problem. These include:
- Changes in the size, shape, or appearance of the breast
- Changes in the skin over the breast, such as dimpling, puckering, redness, or scaling
- Changes in the nipple, such as inversion, discharge, peeling, or flaking
- Pain or tenderness in the breast or nipple
- Swelling or lumps in the armpit or collarbone area
Some of these symptoms may also be caused by benign conditions, such as cysts, fibroadenomas, infections, or hormonal changes. However, if you notice any unusual or persistent changes in your breasts, you should see your doctor as soon as possible for a proper evaluation.
Treatments for breast cancer
The treatment for breast cancer depends on several factors, such as the type and stage of the cancer, the presence of certain markers on the tumor cells (such as estrogen receptors or HER2), the patient’s age, menopausal status, general health, and personal preferences. The main types of treatment for breast cancer are:
- Surgery: This involves removing the tumor and some surrounding tissue from the breast (lumpectomy) or removing the entire breast (mastectomy). Sometimes, surgery also involves removing some lymph nodes under the arm to check if the cancer has spread.
- Radiation therapy: This uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells or prevent them from growing. It can be given externally from a machine (external beam radiation) or internally by placing radioactive material inside the breast (brachytherapy).
- Chemotherapy: This uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from dividing. It can be given by mouth (oral chemotherapy), by injection into a vein (intravenous chemotherapy), or by injection into a muscle (intramuscular chemotherapy).
- Hormone therapy: This uses drugs to block or lower the levels of hormones (such as estrogen or progesterone) that stimulate some types of breast cancer cells to grow. It can be given by mouth (oral hormone therapy), by injection (injectable hormone therapy), or by implanting a device under the skin (implantable hormone therapy).
- Targeted therapy: This uses drugs to target specific features of cancer cells that make them different from normal cells. For example, some drugs target HER2 receptors that are overexpressed in some types of breast cancer cells.
- Immunotherapy: This uses drugs to stimulate the body’s immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. For example, some drugs block PD-L1 proteins that prevent immune cells from attacking cancer cells.
Some patients may receive one type of treatment or a combination of different types. The treatment plan may also change over time depending on how the cancer responds or if it recurs.