Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer
Breast cancer is a cancer that is present in the breast of a person. This cancerous tumor is usually present in the inner lining of the milk ducts or the lobules. This tumor mostly develops in the breast of women but men can also develop these tumors.
There are various treatments available for breast cancer. These treatments are the surgery, radiation, drugs and immunotherapy. The treatment is determined by the kind, rate of growth, size, and stage of the tumor. In most cases surgery is the only method that can cure the cancer. To ensure long term illness free life chemotherapy is supplemented with surgery. Chemotherapy is a method in which the cancerous cells are killed. Radiation is also used to kill the cancerous cells that were left out by surgery.
One of the prominent symptoms of breast cancer is feeling a lump that is different to the rest of the tissues of the breast. The lumps may be present in the lymph nodes or armpits also indicate breast cancer. Breast cancers may be also detected by mammogram. The cancer can be diagnosed by x-ray and biopsy. Other symptoms are the skin dimpling, changes in breast size and shape, nipple inversion or a discharge from a single nipple.
Breast cancers are classified into various grades. The cancer is also categorized in to stages depending on the size of the tumor. The cancer is usually treated with surgery complemented with chemotherapy or radiation. Drugs are also used after and in addition to all other procedures.
Breast cancer is common in women who have a family history of cancer. As women tend to age the probability of breast cancer increases. It is also more common in women who smoke, consume alcohol, consume high fat food and do not maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Breast cancer may also be present in men. The occurrence is rare. The tumor can be detected by self examination, mammography, needle biopsy and excisional biopsy.
It is necessary to have a regular mammogram. Regular self examinations are also important to ensure that there is no cancerous growth in the body. These examinations should be frequent as women get older.
