Breasts or mammary glands are made of connective tissue, fat and milk-producing lobules. They also consist of lymph vessels and lymph nodes containing white blood cells that can trap bacteria and cancer cells. Every once in a while, the orderly process of cell division inside the breast tissue goes haywire and results in uncontrolled proliferation, which paves the way to cancer. Unlike the benign forms, malignant cancer may have serious, life-threatening consequences, but only if you sleep on it. Cancer, when detected early, can be controlled and even reversed. It is indeed helpful, therefore, to understand the features of breast cancer.
Early Stages of Breast Cancer
Your physician may detect early signs of breast cancer by looking for calcium deposits suggestive of aging, damaged or inflamed tissues inside the breast. Tiny specks or clusters of calcium may warrant further investigation as do lumps and masses that raise a red flag. According to the American Cancer Society, any swelling of the breast, irritation, pain, redness and discharge should warrant prompt medical attention.
According to BreastCancer.org, early stages are characterized by abnormal cells lining the different lobules (Lobular carcinoma in situ, LCIS) as well as the ducts (Ductal carcinoma in situ, DCIS).
Invasive Breast Cancer
The tumor can spread across the breast to lymph nodes and blood vessels under the arm. Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) is characterized by harder lumps, spikes and calcifications in the affected area. On the other hand, in the case of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), the affected tissue is not so remarkably different from the normal area on an x-ray report. For ILC, there is a need for a closer look that only your pathologist can take, for an accurate understanding.
Indeed, a biopsy can reveal whether or not the tumor in question is positive for certain hormone receptors such as estrogen or progesterone as well as cancer proteins like HER2/neu. Lobular cancers are negative for the cancer protein HER2/neu, unlike the ductal type. When your pathologist finds that the breast cancer is positive for the hormone receptors, you should be able to respond well to hormone therapy. Similarly, breast cancer positive for HER2/neu responds well to targeted therapy with drugs such as Herceptin.
According to the College of American Pathologists, the lab analysis can clearly distinguish if the breast cancer is just stage 1 (confined to the breast) or stage 4 (spread beyond the breast to other organs). Early detection can help prevent the spread to other parts of the body, with Grade 1 cancers growing slowly compared with the more aggressive Grade 3.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
According to BreastCancer.org, although rare, inflammatory breast cancer is an aggressive form of breast cancer. It manifests as a swollen redness (peel of naval orange) and warmth instead of a painful lump, nipple and skin changes. The condition can worsen in a matter of hours or days as the disease spreads to nearby breast tissue and lymph nodes or even beyond.
Hence, the need for prompt checkup with the physician, pathologist and radiologist. And once the x-rays, liver tests and bone/CT scan results are in place, there is no dearth of treatment options to control the disease.
Recurrent and Metastatic Breast Cancer
Experts always advise that recurrence of disease does not necessarily translate into hopelessness. While it is possible that the cancer can show up in the breast or the area where the breast used to be, or the chest wall or lymph nodes, bones, lungs or around the lungs, liver and the brain, it is less likely if you had had the foresight to get yourself checked in early on.
Blood tests with your cancer specialist can reveal the levels of cancer markers such as CEA (carcino-embryonic antigen), CA (cancer antigen) 15-3, and CA 27-29 for appropriate monitoring of treatment and follow-up.
Indeed, advances in cancer chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are able to overcome any likelihood of treatment failure, only if instituted at the right time and dosage.
