According to a recent study, about one out of eight U.S women is likely to develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. Even in 2016, it is estimated that 246,660 new cases of invasive breast cancer would be diagnosed among the U.S women populace. And 61,000 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer could be reported.
It goes without saying that breast cancer sounds intimidating, but it can be cured if detected at early stages and treated with care.
This piece of writing is intended to give you complete information about breast cancer, from definition to types to surgeries done for it.
What is breast cancer all about?
Breast cancer is a medical condition in which body cells become abnormal and form more cells invasively in the tissue of the breasts. The cells form a mass of tissue called malignant tumor, which may spread to other parts of the body.
What are the common types of breast cancer?
Generally, there are two types of breast cancer, such as:
This type of cancer generally develops in the milk making glands of the breast.
This is the most common type of cancer that occurs in the milk ducts of the breasts.
Apart from this, there are two types of breast tumors – Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). These tumors are not cancerous but may increase its risk if not treated properly.
Ductal Carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a tumor, which develops cancerous cells in the lining of breast ducts. The cells do not spread outside the breast tissue, but sometime they can be a potential reason of cancer. Known as Stage 0 breast cancer, DCIS can be treated through breast-sparing surgery and radiation therapy.
Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS) is another tumor that occurs in breast lobules. This type of tumor does not cause cancerous cells to develop. But, women diagnosed with Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) are needed to go for regular checkups and mammograms. Along with this, they can take tamoxifen to low down the risk of developing breast cancer.
You can approach the best Breast Surgeon in Dallas for complete information.
What is “early-stage”?
Breast cancer is commonly classified as Stage I, II (A or B), III (A, B, or C), or IV, depending upon the tumor’s size and condition. Stages I, IIA, IIB, and IIIA are labelled as “early-stage” breast cancer.
What treatments are available for early-stage breast cancer?
The early-stage cancer can only be treated with surgery. Patients diagnosed with early-stage cancer conditions are given choice between two surgical treatments – Breast-sparing surgery and Mastectomy.
The first option is a surgery done after radiation therapy, whereas the latter one aims at removing the whole breast that has cancer, some lymph nodes under the arm, some parts of the chest wall muscles and the lining over the chest muscles.