All About Breast Cancer - Doyouknow!

Breast Cancer originate from Breast tissue, either from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules, which supply the milk to the duets. Breast Cancer originating from the lobules are known as lobules Cancer and those originating from ducts are known as ductal Careinomas. They spread in different stages, aggressiveness and genetic make up. Survival periods depend on those factors. Treatment includes Surgery, Medecines and Radiation.

This is the most common type in non-skin Cancers in Women and this is the fifth most common cause of Cancer deaths. Breast Carcinoma is 100 times more common in Women than Men.

Classification -> Breast Cancers can be classified with several classification aspects, in addition to other, finding based on Physical examination. The treatment and Prognosis depends on each of those aspects, stage, Pathology, grade, receptor status and presence or non-presence of genes in DNA testing include in the classification of Breast Cancer.

Stage-> The THM Classification of Breast Cancer is based on (T) the size of the Tumar, (N) whether the Tumor has spread to the Lymp nodes in the arm pits, (M) Whether the Cancer has metastsized(spread tp other parts of the body).

Stage 0 - Pre-molignant desiease or marker(DSIS i.e ductal carcinoma in situ).
Stage 1-3 - Can be defined as early Cancer and has a high potential for cure.
Satge 4 - Advanced and Metastatic, which is incureable.

HistPathology -> Most Breast Cancers are derived from the Epithelium of the lobules or ducts, these are calssified as mamory ductal carcinoma. Proriffalation of Cancer cells within the Eithelial tissue, without spreading into the surrounding tissue is called as Carcinima in situ (CIS). When the Carcinoma spreads to tje surrounding tissue, it is called invassive Breast Cancer.

Grade(Bloom-Richardson Grade) -> Normally, Cells become differentiated and take different shapes and forms to function as part of an Organ. Malignent Cells lack this differentiation. InCancer Grading, the cells of the Tumor are classified as well differentiated(Low Grade), Moderately Differentiated(Intermediate Grade) and poorly differentiated(high Garde). Among these, high grade Breast cancer's have worse prognosis.

Receptor Status -> Cells have receptor's on their surfaces, in their cytoplasm and Nucleus. Chemical Messengers bind to Receptors and this leads to changes in the cells. Breast Cancer cells may or may not have these three important receptors - Estrogen receptor(ER), Progesterone receptor(PR), and HER2/NEU. Cells having non of these are called basallike, or triple negative. ER+ malignant cells depend on Estrogen for their growth and can be treated with Drugs to block Estrogen effects(e.g:Tamoxifen) and usually have a better prognosis.

HER2+ have a worse prognosis, however since, HER2+ cancer cells respond well to drugs, such as Monoclonal anti bodies, Trastuzumab(in combination with chemotherapy) can improve the Prognosis.

Symptoms and Signs of Breast Cancer