Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women.

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What is breast cancer? - The mammary gland consists of fat, connective and glandular tissue, divided into lobules. A network of milk ducts extends from the lobules to the nipple.

Breast cancer develops when these cells begin to grow abnormally and multiply rapidly. That is, breast cancer is a malignant tumor that originates from the tissues of the mammary gland.

Types of breast cancer - invasive and non-invasive cancer

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): In DCIS, the cancer cells are in the ducts of the breast.

Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS): In LCIS, the abnormal cells are in the lobules of the breast. LCIS increases the risk of developing bilateral cancer, although most women with this condition do not develop second breast cancer.

Invasive breast cancer

Invasive means that the cancer cells have penetrated the tissue surrounding the breast tissue.

Early breast cancer means cancer cells have spread from the ducts or lobules into nearby breast tissue. The most common types are invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC).

Locally advanced breast cancer - Cancer has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm and to other nearby areas, such as the chest (including the skin, muscles and bones of the chest).

Secondary, metastatic breast cancer is when cancer cells have spread from the breast to other parts of the body, such as the bones, liver, or lungs.

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): In DCIS, the cancer cells are in the ducts of the breast.

Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS): In LCIS, the abnormal cells are in the lobules of the breast. LCIS increases the risk of developing bilateral cancer, although most women with this condition do not develop second breast cancer.

symptoms

Most breast cancer does not cause symptoms, so it is important to have screening tests, in particular, periodic examination with mammography, which allows us to make an early diagnosis.

When this cancer shows symptoms, the most common are:

• The appearance of a tumor in the breast or armpit

• Swelling in all or part of the breast tissue;

• Skin irritation or pitting

• Pain in the breast or nipple area

• nipple lift (inversion)

• Redness, peeling

• Abnormal breast discharge

Before any of these symptoms appear, it is important to see a doctor to assess the need for tests in time.

In many cases, there are almost no visible symptoms. Despite symptoms similar to breast cancer, an infection or a simple cyst may be present.

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treatment

Breast cancer treatment should be multidisciplinary and personalized, depending on the subtype of breast cancer and the phase in which it occurs. Currently, there are different ways to treat breast cancer.

The following methods are used:

Hypo fractionated radiotherapy (ultra-short treatment): Current and modern breast cancer radiotherapy is carried out with hypo fractionated treatment for 15 days or even 5 days (FAST breast) with better aesthetic results and disease control than classical treatment for 25-30 days.

Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT): Uses sophisticated 3D camera technology to precisely target and destroy cancer cells. This system monitors the patient's movement during the treatment and if he moves within the allowed range, the radiation stops. With this technology, it is possible to use a technique without tattooing, which avoids a permanent tattoo on the skin (at the site of radiation) and therefore the memory of the cancer, unlike conventional radiotherapy, which leaves a permanent mark that is made for positioning the patient.

Deep Inspiration Hold (DIBH): This is a technique that involves taking a deep breath and holding the breath for 20 seconds, which increases the distance between the left breast cancer treatment area and the heart. With this technique, the radiation dose received by this organ can be significantly reduced.