Breasts are two organs in humans, located in both chest regions, consisting of connective tissue, sebaceous and mammary glands. It is found in both men and women. However, the mammary glands gain postpartum function in women and nourish the newborn baby. Thanks to breastfeeding, the breast tissue undergoes differentiation and gains resistance against cancer-causing substances.
Breasts consist of 15-20 lobes, each with several lobules. Lobules produce milk. From here, milk is transported to the nipple through the milk ducts. Its middle part is called the areola. In its lower part, it is separated from the sternum and ribs by muscles.
Breast cancer is cancer that originates from the breast tissue. It is the most common type of cancer in women and the second most common cancer among all cancers. Although it is usually seen in women, it can also be seen in men. It can happen in both breasts.
Breast cancer diagnosis is mostly made in women over 50 years of age. One in eight women is diagnosed with breast cancer.
The best way to prevent breast cancer is early detection. Methods such as teaching breast self-examination and mammography scans are life-saving.
Types of breast cancer:
Lobular carcinoma: It originates from the lobules. It is common. In situ form increases the risk of breast cancer 8-10 times. These patients are treated with conservative surgery or chemotherapy.
Ductal carcinoma : It originates from the milk ducts. It is the most common type. It accounts for one out of every five breast cancers. It is very easy to treat in the in situ stage. Conservative surgical treatment is applied. However, if it spreads and is detected in an invasive form, treatment becomes difficult. Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common breast cancer. It is not clear which cases will turn into the invasive form. All cases should be treated.
Paget’s disease: It originates from the nipple (areola). It is rare. It is usually found on one side of the breast. It is usually diagnosed soon after symptoms begin. The underlying ductal carcinoma is considered in its etiology.
- Scaly, crusty, hardened skin on the nipple,
- Itching, redness, burning sensation on the skin,
- Nipple discharge (sometimes bloody)
- Flattening of the nipple, turning back,
- A palpable mass in the breast tissue.
Angiosarcoma: It originates from the breast blood vessels or lymphatic vessels. It is characterized by swelling on the breast skin, lesions that grow and bleed over time. DNA mutations in vascular structures are suspected in its etiology. Genetic factors, previous radiotherapy, drugs used may pose a risk.
Invasive breast cancer: It is a type of cancer that originates from the milk ducts or lobules and spreads to the surrounding breast tissue. Invasive ductal carcinoma and invasive lobular carcinoma are in this group. There are also rarer adenocystic, adenosquamous, medullary, mucinous, papillary, tubular carcinomas.
Inflammatory breast cancer: It is characterized by the development of cancer cells due to DNA mutations in the ducts of the breast. A swollen, reddened, painful breast appears. Breast appearance changes. It gets sensitive.
Phyllodes tumor: It originates from adipose and connective tissue. Most are benign. However, about 10% are malignant.
Metastasis-related cancers: These are cancers that do not originate from the breast tissue, but spread to the breast through the blood and lymphatic pathways.
Breast cancer course:
5-year survival in early-stage breast cancer is approximately 100%. It is 72% in stage 3 breast cancer and 22% in end-stage breast cancer.