The body contains millions of cells that grow and divide to form new cells whenever they are needed. When a cell gets old or damaged, it dies and the body replaces it with a new, healthy cell. Breast cancer develops when this normal process is disrupted. Old and damaged cells do not die and new cells form anyway, resulting in a rapid overgrowth of cells. This overgrowth causes the characteristic cancerous tumor.
Spread of Cancer
When cells break away from the original tumor and spread throughout other tissues, it is referred to as metastasis. Breast cancer cells can easily travel from the breast to the blood and lymph vessels, through which they can further spread throughout the body. The National Cancer Institute notes that tumors in the breast are often accompanied by tumors in the lymph nodes that surround the breasts.
Risk Factors
According to MayoClinic.com, a woman's chance of developing breast cancer increases after she reaches the age of 60. An elderly woman that has a family history of breast cancer, inherited gene mutations or previous exposure to radiation therapy for a different cancer is more likely to develop breast cancer. Obesity and a late onset of menopause may also contribute to an elderly woman developing breast cancer.
Symptoms
In the early stages of breast cancer, an elderly woman may not notice any symptoms. As the cancer grows, the elderly woman will develop a hard lump in the breast or armpit. According to MedlinePlus, this lump usually has uneven edges and does not cause any pain. The size and shape of the breast may also change and fluid or bloody discharge may leak from the nipple. As the cancer becomes even more advanced, an elderly woman may experience breast pain, ulcers in the skin, swelling of the arm adjacent to the affected breast and weight loss.
Treatment
Treatment for breast cancer in an elderly woman is dependent on the woman's preferences and her personal health. The patient and doctor will usually work together to determine the right treatment option for the specific case. Available treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy and targeted therapy, which is a localized drug treatment. Surgical removal of the tumor or one or both breasts may also be considered.
Prognosis
With advanced medical treatments, the prognosis for breast cancer has greatly improved over the years, according to MedlinePlus. Rate of survival depends on a number of factors, including stage of the cancer when it is caught, size of the tumor, location of the tumor and if it has spread to other areas of the body and the type of tumor.
