A cancer localized in the breast. Most prevalent in females but also found in males. One of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women in the United States.
A malignant tumour in a breast.
One of the most common malignancies in women in the United States, with several known risk factors, including a family history of breast cancer, early menarche, late menopause, having no children or having them late in life, exposure to ionizing radiation, obesity, hypertension, chronic cystic disease of breast, and possibly a high-fat diet. Early symptoms are usually detected by the woman during breast self-examination and include a small painless lump; thick or dimpled skin, or a change in the nipple; later symptoms include nipple discharge, pain, and swollen lymph glands in the armpit area. Diagnosis is made by physical examination, mammography, and laboratory examination of tumor cells obtained through biopsy. Treatment depends on the location and size of the tumor and whether or not it has spread to other areas, and may be lumpectomy or some type (e.g., radical or simple) of mastectomy, often followed by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Since early diagnosis and treatment greatly improve the rate of cure, women are advised to practice regular breast self- examination.
A disease in which cancer cells develop in the breast tissue and can spread to other organs. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer (after skin cancer) among women and the second most common cause of cancer death (after lung cancer) in women. Breast cancer also occurs in men. Women’s breast tissue contains fat cells and glandular tissue that form milk-producing lobules. The lobules are separated by fibrous tissue and transport milk through thin tubes called ducts. Breast cancer most commonly develops as a lump in the fibrous tissue or in the ducts.
A malignant tumor of the breast, usually a carcinoma but sometimes a sarcoma. It is rare in men but is the commonest form of cancer in women, in some cases involving both breasts. The cause is not known but it tends to run in families, and in countries such as Japan, where prolonged breast feeding is the rule, the incidence of breast cancer is very low.
A malignant neoplasm (usually an adenocarcinoma) of the breast; the most common malignancy of American women and the leading cause of death in American women aged 40 to 55. In 2006 the American Cancer Society estimated that 212,920 women would be newly diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and that 40,970 women would die of the disease. Breast cancer usually presents as a dominant mass in one breast although the malignancy may first become evident when nipple discharge, nipple retraction, skin dimpling, or asymmetric swelling of the breast occurs. In most cases breast cancers are first identified by women performing breast self-examination. A smaller but considerable number are detected by professional examination or mammography. About 1000 men are diagnosed with breast cancer annually. Breast cancer has several pathological variants. Carcinoma in situ, the most localized form of the disease, represents a preinvasive stage confined to a duct or lobule. Other presentations include lobular carcinoma, infiltrating ductal carcinoma, inflammatory carcinoma, and Paget’s disease of the nipple.
Breast cancer, a malignant tumor that originates in the breast, stands as the prevailing form of cancer among nonsmoking women. Interestingly, it takes the second spot in terms of frequency among women who smoke, with lung cancer claiming the top spot. It is astonishing to note that approximately one in every twelve women who reach old age will encounter breast cancer at some point in their lifetime. Although rare, breast cancer can also manifest in men. The progress made in the domain of early detection methods and therapeutic interventions for breast cancer has led to notable enhancements in the overall survival rates.
Current hypotheses pertaining to the etiology of breast cancer primarily revolve around hormonal and genetic factors. Nevertheless, the primary determinant is age, whereby a woman’s vulnerability to the ailment escalates twofold for every decade of her existence.
The frequency of breast cancer tends to rise in women who experience early onset of menstruation and those who undergo menopause at a later stage. Furthermore, the risk is elevated in women who remain childless or have their first child later in life. Additionally, women with a family history of breast cancer, particularly those with affected mothers or sisters, face an augmented susceptibility. Dietary factors may also come into play, as regions with high-fat diets exhibit a higher incidence of breast cancer. Moreover, research has revealed a slight elevation in the likelihood of developing breast cancer with the usage of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and the risk escalates with prolonged duration of HRT usage.
Typically, the initial indication of breast cancer presents as a painless mass. However, it is crucial to recognize that nine out of ten breast lumps are noncancerous in nature. Additional symptoms may include a dark discharge from the nipple, nipple retraction (indentation), and an area of skin over the lump that appears dimpled or creased. It is noteworthy that the majority of cases involve only one breast.
Occasionally, an anomaly may be identified during a regular mammography screening, a procedure recommended once every three years for women aged between 50 and 65.
In the event of a breast lump being detected, diagnostic imaging techniques such as mammography or ultrasound scanning are employed to further evaluate the condition. Subsequently, cells are obtained from the lump using needle aspiration (suction-based withdrawal) or through biopsy (surgical extraction of a small tissue sample for analysis).
A petite malignant tumor that is confined to the breast and has not exhibited signs of spreading is typically excised through surgical means, accompanied by the removal of adjacent healthy tissue as a precautionary measure. Simultaneously, lymph nodes in the armpit are often extracted. In the case of larger tumors, a mastectomy, which involves the complete removal of the affected breast, may be necessary. Surgery can be complemented by mammoplasty, a reconstructive procedure aimed at mitigating the psychosexual impact of the disease, either in conjunction or subsequent to the primary surgical intervention.
Subsequent treatment measures hinge upon various factors, including the size of the tumor, the presence of lymph node involvement, and the hormone sensitivity of the tumor cells, which is evaluated through laboratory analysis utilizing oestrogen receptor testing. The woman’s age and menopausal status also play pivotal roles in determining the most suitable course of treatment.
Following surgical intervention, the majority of women undergo a course of radiotherapy targeting any residual breast tissue and the armpit area. Additionally, chemotherapy, involving the administration of anticancer drugs, may be recommended. To minimize the risk of recurrence, Tamoxifen, an oral anti-estrogen medication, is frequently prescribed for a duration of five years post-surgery. In cases where the tumor exhibits sensitivity to estrogen, women nearing menopause may be offered treatment to induce early menopause as part of their therapeutic approach.
If secondary tumors are detected in distant body sites, either at the time of initial diagnosis or years after seemingly successful treatment, they are addressed through the utilization of anticancer drugs and hormone therapies.
Following treatment for early-stage breast cancer, a complete recovery or extended periods of good health are typically anticipated. However, regular follow-up examinations are essential to identify any potential recurrence or the development of a new cancer in the contralateral breast. Periodic mammograms are recommended for this purpose. In the event of cancer recurrence, effective management can often be achieved through the use of medications and/or radiotherapy, sometimes ensuring control for several years.