BREAST CANCER
Breast cancer is conversion of normal cell and part of breast due to extra power or loss of controlling factors resulting in development of cancerous tumor in breast and then its spread to other parts.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of local growth in breast
Lump in breast
Change in shape or size of breast
Nipple discharge
Change in nipple
Change in skin of breast
SYMPTOMS OF SURROPUNDING SPREAD
Nodes in axilla (armpit)
Swelling in arm
Swelling above shoulder
Swelling /nodes in neck
SYMPTOMS OF BODY SPREAD
Back pain /bone pain (bone spread)
Dicreased appetite/jaundice(Liver metastasis)
Abdominal swelling
Seizures/headache(Brain spread)
CAUSE OF BREAST CANCER
MENSTRUAL HISTORY AND HORMONE EXPOSURE
Early start of menses and late menopause increase increases risk
DICREASED BREAST FEEDING
Less of breast feeding increases risk
OBESITY
LACK OF EXERCISE
EXCESSIVE FAT INCREASES RISK
EXCESSIVE FATTY FOOD INTAKE
EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL
GENETIC/HEREDITORY
Hereditory factors account for less than 10percent
DIAGNOSIS AND STAGING
WORKUP FOR PROVING BREAST CANCER AND LOCAL SPREAD
Clinical examination
B/L Mammogram
FNAC (Needle test)
Tru cut biopsy and receptor study
WORK UP FOR SPREAD
Clinical examination
X-Ray chest
Ultrasound abdomen
C T scan (as required as per symptoms and staging)
Bone scan(as required as per symptoms and staging)
PET SCAN(as required)
TREATMENT
SURGERY
MODIFIED RADICAL MASTECTOMY
Complete removal of breast and glands from axilla, armpit
BREAST CONSERVING SURGERY
Adequate removal of tumor and surrounding area and glands from armpit while saving rest of breast.
Radiotherapy of saved potion of breast is important.
BREAST RECONSTRUCTION
If complete removal of breast is required breast can be reconstructed from flaps using own body tissues Or implants as required.
CHEMOTHERAPY
Injections for treating breast cancer are given in glucose bottle dilutions.
SIDE EFFECTS
Weakness
Nausea
Loose motions
Cramps
Hair loss
Body aches
SOMETIMES
Allergic reaction
Bone marrow suppression
Cardiac side effects
RADIOTHERAPY
Treatment with rays
If breast is conserved
To prevent disease coming back if advanced
HORMONAL
Treatment with hormonal drugs if hormone receptor positive
To increase control over disease and prevent recurrence
TARGET THERAPY
Treatment with drugs targeting some particular cellular receptor if receptor positive.
PREVENTION OF CANCER
REGULAR EXERCISE
EARLY FIRST CHILD BIRTH
PROLONGED BREAST FEEDING
REGULAR HEALTHY DIET
AVOID ALCOHOL
Regular self check up monthly
Regular yearly b/l mammogram
Yearly clinical check up
Writer
DR GAGANDEEP SINGH
MBBS MS DNB SURGICAL ONCOLOGY
CONSULTANT CANCER SPECIALIST
SURJIT HOSPITAL AMRITSAR
CANCER CARE CENTRE JAMMU/PATHANKOT
FORMER
ASS.PROFESSOR SGRD MED COLL ASR
CONSULTANT FORTIS HOSPITAL ASR
AS
