Advanced breast cancer

Just the thought of breast cancer scares the lights out of women! But having its know how is inevitable. Uncontrolled growth of breast tissue cells, with capacity to spread, is breast cancer. It starts with single cell dividing infrequently after breast growth completes. The division of cells is controlled by genetic code- “genes”. When this code is damaged a cell becomes genetically damaged. Such cells pile up together to form tumor.

The tumor which grows in its place and does not spread is “benign”, not cancer. But, a tumor with the capacity to spread is “malignant”, cancer. “Early” breast cancer often originates from breast and the tumor is not more than 5 cm. It may involve the lymph glands under the armpit, called “axillary lymph nodes” at times and not always. Cancerous tumor, if located near the nipple, may spread to the internal mammary nodes which are situated between the ribs and beneath the sternum.

There are basic three types of cancers:
“Locally Advanced Breast Cancer” is a tumor greater than 5 cm, or a fixed lump in axilla. Ulceration of the skin or involvement of the deep chest muscles is observed.
“Inflammatory Breast Cancer” is skin looking like an orange peel with a hot, tender breast called “peau de orange” which almost already has spread to the axilla.
“Metastatic breast cancer” means the tumor has spread to other body parts, such as the lung, liver, brain, skin or bone.

Women need to have knowledge of guidelines for early detection of tumor and undergo a monthly breast self- examination. This is because an early detection of the tumor is greater likelihood of cure. Following are the points for detection in women who are asymptomatic (show no signs of breast cancer)
Any new lump surfaces in the breast or armpit.
Any lump or thickening which does not lessen after your next period.
Any changes in the size, shape or symmetry of either breast.
Any kind of dimpling, puckering or indention in the breast.
Skin irritation or change in the breast skin or nipple.
Redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin
Any kind of fluid coming from the nipples other than breast milk. Mainly if it’s bloody, clear and sticky, dark or occurs without squeezing your nipple.
Nipples feel tender or painful.
Nipple retraction: turning or drawing inward or pointing in a new direction
Women with a family history of breast cancer are encouraged to be in continual process of visual and manual examination. Treatment consists of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormones followed by the latest, effective combination treatments. While advanced breast cancer used to be a death sentence, today this is not so. We have made tremendous strides towards helping such patients and choice of correct treatment has obviously made difference between life and death.