Symptoms of breast cancer in girls. How to recognize breast cancer: signs, symptoms, stages of development. How to conduct a self-examination

Breast cancer is a common cancer among women. The success of treatment and the patient's life expectancy depends on the timely detection of the disease. The symptoms, stages of development, methods of diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer are described below.

The mammary glands are made up of lobules, or glands, channels for the transport of milk to the nipples, adipose tissue, connective tissue, blood and lymph vessels.

Breast cancer is a malignant neoplasm affecting the breast that replaces glandular tissue. Most often, carcinoma is detected that develops in lobules or ducts, but besides it, there are about 20 other types of malignant breast tumors.

The incidence of the disease is high among women aged 40 and over, and the maximum number of cancer cases occurs between 60 and 65 years.

Cancer cells have an abnormal structure and a high rate of division due to the rapid metabolism in them. Appearing in the tissues of the breast, as the disease progresses, they penetrate the nearby lymph nodes, and in the later stages they also affect distant tissues, including bones and internal organs.

In addition, the life cycle of malignant cells is shorter than that of healthy cells, and their decay causes general intoxication of the body.

Doctors see the main cause of breast cancer in. More often, the disease develops in women when the production of hormones changes dramatically. At the same time, less progesterone and estrogen are produced, which affects the condition of the mammary glands.

Not only a deficiency, but also an excess of female sex hormones is considered unfavorable, for example, the risk of developing breast cancer is increased in nulliparous women after 30 years and as a result of abortion. Pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, on the other hand, significantly reduce the likelihood of malignant cells in the mammary gland.

Breast cancer stages, symptoms

The international classification of stages of breast cancer identifies four stages in the development of the disease.

Stage 1

The pathological focus does not exceed 2 cm in diameter, and the cancer has not yet affected the adjacent tissues and lymph nodes. There are no metastases, breast fat and skin are not affected.

On palpation, a small, painless lump is felt - this is the only sign of early breast cancer.

Stage 2

The tumor reaches from 2 to 5 cm, does not grow into adjacent tissues. The second stage is divided into two categories:

IIb - the neoplasm increases in size;
IIa - the penetration of cancer cells into the axillary lymph nodes.

Symptoms of stage 2a breast cancer are wrinkling of the breast and a decrease in the elasticity of the skin over the tumor. After compression of the skin in this place, wrinkles do not straighten out for a long time.

No more than two metastases in the affected gland can be detected, often a symptom of umbilization appears - retraction of the nipple or skin at the site of the tumor.

Stage 3

The diameter of the neoplasm exceeds 5 cm, it can affect the subcutaneous fat layer and the dermis. Symptoms of stage 3 breast cancer: the skin resembles a lemon peel, it is pulled over the tumor, often swollen, if there are metastases, then no more than two.

Stage 4

Pathology affects the entire mammary gland, ulcers appear on the skin of the breast. Metastases are multiple and spread to other organs and tissues, primarily affecting the lymph nodes located under the shoulder blades, in the armpits and collarbones.

The distant spread of metastases affects the skin and soft tissues, from the internal organs - the lungs, ovaries, liver, from the bones - the thighs and pelvic.

Breast Cancer Symptoms and Signs by Stage

In breast cancer, symptoms and signs can be divided into four groups:

The appearance of seals;
Breast skin changes;
Discharge from juices;
Swollen lymph nodes.

In the first stage at small sizes, cancer does not manifest itself actively. It can be found by chance, when a dense nodule is felt in the mammary gland. If the tumor is malignant, it is in most cases painless to the touch, and the presence of pain on palpation most often indicates the benign quality of the formation (mastitis, mastopathy).

The cancer node is very dense, with an uneven surface (bumpy), immobile or slightly displaced upon exposure, often attached to the skin or surrounding tissues, fixed. Large lumps appear at stages 2-4 of breast cancer (3 to 10 cm).

Attention! There are forms of breast cancer in which the mammary gland is painful to the touch - this is an erysipelas-like and pseudo-inflammatory form of diffuse tumor. They are characterized by rapid growth, the absence of individual dense nodes, reddening of the breast skin, and an increase in body temperature.

With a malignant formation on the breast, skin retraction, folds, wrinkles, localized swelling appear in the place above the tumor. With the further development of cancer, small non-healing sores appear on the skin, nipple or in the areola, which then merge, bleed, and suppuration develops (the last stage).

The next symptom of breast cancer in women is nipple discharge. Depending on the form and stage of the disease, they can be cloudy or transparent, whitish or yellowish, contain impurities of pus or blood.

At the same time, the nipple is compacted and looks swollen. Any discharge from the mammary gland, especially outside of pregnancy and the period of breastfeeding, should be regarded as an alarming signal and a reason to be examined by a mammologist.

From stage 2 cancer cells invade the nearest lymph nodes, which leads to an increase in the latter. If the tumor affects only one mammary gland, then this symptom is observed on one side.

A clear sign of a metastatic lesion of the lymph nodes is their large size, density, drainage, they are often painless. In this case, the armpit area can swell, and in the later stages the hand also swells - due to poor outflow of lymph and blood (lymphostasis).

Breast Cancer Diagnosis

The main methods for diagnosing breast cancer:

removal of a mammogram;
a blood test for the presence of tumor markers (in women under 30 years of age);
Ultrasound of the mammary glands;
biopsy (taking a piece of tissue for research).

The following methods can be used to assess the general condition of the patient and the level of prevalence of cancer cells in the body:

blood tests - general and biochemical (to determine the level of corpuscles, ESR, cholesterol, amylase, liver function tests, glucose, total protein, creatinine);
cT scan;
urine examination to exclude pathology from the genitourinary sphere;
Ultrasound of internal organs;
x-ray of bones, chest.

When determining the course of the disease, doctors use the TNM system, in conclusion, next to each letter they put a number:

T is the size of the tumor (0 to 4);
N - the degree of damage to the lymph nodes (from 0 to 3);
M - presence or absence of distant metastasis (0 or 1).

Self-examination

Since breast cancer does not show up in the early stages of development, regular self-diagnosis is essential. It should be carried out on the 5-7th day of the monthly cycle, in good lighting, in front of a large mirror, completely removing clothes to the waist.

The mammary glands should be examined with raised and lowered hands, paying attention to their size, skin condition, color, symmetry. After that, you need to carefully feel the breast - any tissue seals (both nodular, focal, and diffuse, affecting evenly the entire gland) should be alerted.

The self-examination also checks if there is discharge from the nipples by pressing on them. At the end of the examination, the axillary, supraclavicular and subclavian lymph nodes are palpated - in cancer they are even, dense, enlarged, and often painless.

Breast cancer treatment is aimed at the complete destruction of malignant cells. At a later stage, if it is impossible to completely recover, symptomatic therapy is prescribed, for example, taking powerful pain relievers to alleviate the condition. Treatment includes several directions, which are most often combined with each other.

Radiation therapy

The purpose of this method is to stop the aggressive development of the tumor, its growth for surgical intervention. It is considered as a preparatory stage before surgery and is performed after removal of the neoplasm.

Radiation therapy is also indicated if it is impossible to operate, for example, if there are metastases in the brain.

Hormone therapy

It is used if receptors sensitive to progesterone and estrogen are found in cancer cells by laboratory tests. For the treatment of breast cancer, analogs or antagonists of sex steroids are used.

In some cases, in addition to hormone therapy, ovarian removal is performed, since they produce hormones that provoke tumor growth.

Targeted therapy

It is also called sighting. Cancer cells are able to protect themselves from the effects of radiation, chemotherapy and hormone therapy by releasing special substances (EGFR factor). This is a definite obstacle to a quick cure.

For immunocorrection, that is, to reduce the response of malignant cells to therapeutic agents, the drug Herceptin (Trastuzumab) is used. These are purified monoclonal antibodies that are specific for the protective factor of cancer cells.

The use of targeted therapy requires special equipment and highly qualified personnel in the clinic.

Chemotherapy

This method provides for the administration of drugs, is prescribed taking into account the characteristics of the patient and is indicated if:

The diameter of the neoplasm is more than 2 cm;
Tumor cells are low-differentiated;
The woman is of childbearing age;
Cancer cells do not have receptors that are sensitive to progesterone and estrogen.

For chemotherapy for breast cancer, cytostatics are used - antineoplastic agents that have a detrimental effect on cancer cells. Examples of drugs - Cyclophosphamide, Adriablastin, Mitoxantrone, Doxorubicin, Fluorouracil.

In oncology, there are three types of such treatment:

Adjuvant (prophylactic, complementary) therapy is indicated if the tumor is resectable and is used before and / or after surgery. She prepares the tumor for surgical removal.
Therapeutic is prescribed for generalized cancer, that is, with metastatic lesions of other tissues and organs. This method aims to eliminate or reduce metastases to a minimum.
Induction chemotherapy is indicated if the tumor is inoperable and needs to be reduced in size to the extent possible for surgery.

Cytostatics have a number of side effects that are the negative side of their use. During chemotherapy, along with cancer cells, a part of healthy cells inevitably perishes.

Of the side symptoms, you may feel:

dyspnea;
nausea and vomiting, diarrhea;
coloring of mucous membranes in a yellowish tint, skin pigmentation;
dizziness, blurred consciousness;
decreased visual acuity;
hematuria (urine mixed with blood);
arrhythmia, marked palpitations;
hair loss;
itching, allergic skin rashes.

These problems are temporary, they disappear after rehabilitation treatment. Before chemotherapy, a detailed consultation and thorough preparation of the woman for the procedures are carried out.

Breast cancer surgery

An operation to completely remove the breast is called a mastectomy and is indicated starting from stage 3. Regional lymph nodes are also removed along with the breast. After surgery for breast cancer, radiation therapy is prescribed, as well as additional examination of the preserved lymph nodes and nearby tissues.

In the absence of contraindications, simultaneously with the removal of the breast, it is possible to carry out plastic surgery for its reconstruction.

Complications after mastectomy:

bleeding from a wound;
temporary limitation of the mobility of the shoulder joint;
swelling of the arms and chest.

At stages 1 and 2 of breast cancer, surgery is often limited to organ-preserving intervention, that is, removal of only the tumor focus while preserving the mammary gland. In any case, psychological support from loved ones and specialists is important for a woman.

Forecast and life expectancy

In oncology, a 5-year survival rate is an indicator of treatment success. After breast cancer therapy, this threshold is crossed by just over half of all patients. This is a conditional border, since overcoming it, many women live for many years.

Life expectancy is influenced by the form of the cancer, the degree of its aggressiveness (growth rate), as well as the stage at which treatment began.

The worst prognosis for life has a diffuse type of neoplasm and stage 4 breast cancer - out of all those who are sick for 5 years, no one lives.

In breast cancer grade 2, life expectancy, or rather the achievement of five-year, and more often ten-year survival, is about 80%. Moreover, more than half of this number of women will live 20 or more years.

The chances are higher with the effective selection and combination of several therapies. If grade 3 cancer is detected, then a life expectancy of 5 years or more is reached from 40 to 60% of women, depending on the substage (3A, 3B).

Breast cancer tends to reappear, in most cases it occurs in the first two years after treatment.

Prevention

Effective prevention of breast cancer includes the following measures:

Attentive attitude to the state of the endocrine system - correction of hormonal levels, taking oral contraceptives;
Pregnancy and childbirth;
Lack of abortions, and accordingly - effective contraception;
Prevention and timely treatment of benign breast tumors - fibroadenomas;
Regular mammographic examination - 1-2 times a year;
Refusal from bad habits, healthy diet, active lifestyle, good sleep.

A malignant formation can have different localization sites in the chest. Cancer can affect both breasts in the same way. There are cases when a tumor is diagnosed in one breast, and a tumor with metastasis or a separate tumor can be detected in the other. How to recognize breast cancer? The neoplasm can be found independently, to the touch it may be a small seal, it somewhat resembles a lump or dough.

The tumor may have a round shape with smooth borders or protrusions. There are cases when the tumor is huge. You can find it yourself.

If a neoplasm is found, do not panic. It is necessary to consult a gynecologist and take a referral for examination.

Regular examination

Dear women, do you know how to detect cancer at an early stage?

To detect a tumor at an early stage, a woman after 35 years old needs to undergo a special examination every year, and preferably six months. It is necessary to conduct self-examination on the 9th day of the monthly cycle in reproductive women and once a month for a woman in menopause.

You can make it a rule to conduct a self-examination after each shower. Therefore, every woman / girl should know how it is done. If health is expensive, take responsibility for the breast. The examination results can be a pretext for contacting a mammologist and conducting additional diagnostics.

Self-examination

Find out how to identify yourself.

Self-examination is carried out in a lying position, standing, tilting, with a raised hand. It is carried out not with the fingers, but with the entire surface of the palm.

Let's take a closer look at how to identify breast cancer, the symptoms of cancer, what they can mean, and how to detect it.

Neoplasm

A lump or mass in the breast is the most common symptom of breast cancer. These lumps are often painless, although some can be painful. Not all lumps are cancer. There are a number of benign breast conditions that can cause lumps, such as a cyst. However, it is very important that specialists determine the origin of the tumor. And the sooner he makes a diagnosis, the better.

Edema

Edema can be found in or around the breast, collarbone or armpit, and breast swelling is a symptom of a more aggressive form of the disease. Swelling or lumps around the collarbone or underarms can be symptoms of a tumor that has spread to the lymph nodes. The swelling can occur even before the woman feels a lump in her breast, so if you have this symptom, rush to the doctor.

Pain

Although most cases of breast cancer do not cause chest pain, there are cases with pain. More often than not, women experience discomfort associated with their monthly cycle. This type of pain is present for a week and goes away as soon as menstruation begins. Certain other breast masses, such as mastitis, can lead to more sudden pain. In these cases, pain is not associated with a monthly cycle.

If you have chest pain that is severe or persists and is not related to your monthly cycle, you should be checked by a gynecologist, surgeon, or mammologist. Everything must be done to prevent a benign condition or cancer that needs to be treated.

Itching and warmth

Thickening of the skin, breast redness, itching, and warmth can be symptoms of breast disease or breast cancer. If antibiotics don't work, see your doctor again.

Changes in the shape of the nipples

Breast cancer can sometimes cause changes in the appearance of the nipple. If your nipple turns inward, or the skin on it thickens or becomes red or scaly, you need to see a mammologist right away. All factors can be symptoms of breast cancer.

Allocations

Discharge (other than milk) from the nipple can be alarming, but in most cases it is caused by infection, trauma, or a benign tumor (not a cancer patient). If the secreted fluid is bloody, then it is better to check with a doctor.

Diagnostics

Learn how to recognize breast cancer in a clinic or specialty setting. Cancer is most often diagnosed after symptoms appear, but many women with early cancer have no symptoms. That is why screening tests are recommended. If cancer is found, other tests will be done to determine the stage (degree) of the cancer.

Medical checkup

If you have any signs or symptoms that mimic breast cancer, be sure to see a mammologist as soon as possible. Your doctor will ask you questions about the symptoms, you need to tell all the health problems.

Recognition is carried out for any lumps or suspicious areas and the texture of the pectoral muscle.

Any changes in the nipples or breast skin should be noticed. Swollen or hard lymph nodes may indicate breast cancer has spread to the lymphatic system. The doctor does a complete physical exam to judge your overall health and if there is any evidence of cancer that can spread.

From a mammologist, you can learn about diseases that are treated conservatively.

Mastopathy
Mastitis
Fibroma
Cyst
Lactostasis

If, as a result of your physical examination, a pathological process is detected in the mammary gland, then additional tests are done to clarify. These may include imaging tests, looking at samples of nipple discharge, or biopsies of suspicious areas.

Early detection of breast cancer gives a better chance of successful treatment. But in addition to self-examination, it is necessary to undergo mammography, and preferably an ultrasound scan that determines breast cancer in the early stages before any symptoms appear.

Benign (non-cancerous) breast growths are much more common than malignant tumors. Imaging tests are used to diagnose breast disease. A visualization test is a way to see what is going on inside your body.

The images can show normal structures and functions of the body, as well as abnormal ones caused by diseases such as cancer. See mammography and other breast imaging tests for more details. How to recognize early breast cancer?

Some of the more common imaging tests used to screen for breast cancer include:

Mammography

A mammogram is an x-ray that detects breast cancer. Screening mammography is used to look for breast changes in women who do not have any signs or symptoms of a breast problem.

Screening mammograms usually take 2 scans (x-rays taken from different angles) of each breast. Diagnostic mammography is used to get a more accurate diagnosis.

Ultrasonic

Ultrasound, also known as echography, uses sound waves to highlight a part of the body. This is done to see changes that are not visible on mammography. It also helps to recognize breast cancer from a cyst filled with fluid and solid masses.

MRI

In magnetic resonance therapy, energy from radio waves is absorbed and then released in a pattern based on the type of tissue in the body that determines the disease. The computer translates the template into a very detailed picture. To be able to identify cancer, contrast fluid is injected into the vein to better see the details of the image and determine the extent of the disease.

Ductogram

Ductogram (galactogram) is used to help find the cause of a nipple discharge. In this test, a very thin metal tube is inserted into the airway opening in the nipple. A small amount of contrast agent is placed in the canal mold. An X-ray can show whether there is mass inside the channel. If fluid comes from the nipple, some fluids may be collected and checked for signs of infection or cancer cells.

Biopsy

The biopsy is done after the results of mammograms, and other tests that show changes in the breast or the presence of growths. A biopsy is the only way that can tell if there is cancer. For a biopsy, a specific sample (small piece) is taken from a suspicious area of \u200b\u200bthe breast and examined under laboratory conditions. The analysis is called a biopsy of the sample.

Breast cancer can be determined only after a comprehensive examination. A diagnosed patient can live a long time if the tumor is removed on time. The recognized biopsy sample is stored in the laboratory. In recent years, Cuban specialists have achieved impressive results in the treatment of cancer patients. A disease recognized at an early stage will save life.

Informative video

13.04.2019

Cancer in the area of \u200b\u200bthe breast is a malignant formation that is characterized by rapid growth.

Why does it appear?

Before diagnosing this disease, let's understand the reasons for its occurrence.

Such a diagnosis develops against the background of the reasons:

mastitis;
negative impact of the environment;
hereditary factors;
regular abortions;
taking hormonal drugs for a long time;
mastopathy;
excess weight;
frequent x-rays and radiation.

How to define a disease?

It is important to know how to identify breast cancer early when it is critical. So, the symptoms below may indicate the presence of oncology in the mammary gland:

you can manually feel a dense formation in the chest, while there is no pain;
a strong change in the shape of the breast is visually observed;
the skin of the breast is wrinkled or pulled in;
in the direction of the gland of the affected tumor, there is an increase in lymph nodes in the armpit;
swelling or hardening of the nipple;
bloody discharge is observed from the nipple;
the feeling of discomfort and pain gradually increases.

If it is a carcinoma, then it may differ in the presence of a very different localization site. Cancer can affect both breasts with the same frequency. If there is an oncological process in one breast, then it can go to the second breast, being an independent formation or metastases. Even on self-examination, you can find a small seal that resembles dough to the touch.

In some situations, if the survey was not carried out in a timely manner, the formations can reach extremely large sizes.

Diagnosis of breast cancer is carried out in the following ways: mammography, ultrasound, biopsy. However, in any case, you should not panic ahead of time. If you yourself find a small lump in the chest, you need to consult a doctor to establish its cause after the necessary diagnosis.

Disease stages

At the moment, the malignant process can have one of five stages:

A cancerous tumor with a constant localization site, without passing into the rest of the organ tissues.
At this stage, the formation from benign turns into malignant, but does not affect the lymph nodes and does not spread to other organs.
The nodes rapidly begin to increase in size, they can be 5 centimeters, there is also a lesion of the lymph nodes, but they are not welded together.
There is damage to the chest, lymph nodes and skin. At the same time, the skin on the chest becomes very hot, reddens and flakes. At this stage, the disease may resemble mastitis.
Metastases are observed throughout the body (bones, lymph nodes, lungs, liver and brain).

Mammography

If breast cancer diagnosis is required, it is recommended to undergo a procedure such as mammography. With its help, you can determine the following:

accumulation of the smallest inclusions of lime - micro-calcifications;
deformation of a heavy pattern;
local compaction of the fabric of the pattern - the shadow of the knot.

If there is breast cancer, diagnosis with mammography can only be effective if the formation is 2 to 5 cm in size.

Identification of intraductal carcinoma has a number of difficulties, since the seal can be microscopic in size. Focal accumulations of calcifications of different sizes, densities and shapes acquire the maximum diagnostic value.

Such a specific diagnostic method allows you to identify the disease at an early stage, so that the doctor can prescribe a quick and effective treatment.

In clinical practice, it is necessary to take into account the fact that in women who have had radical treatment in the past, the likelihood of developing oncology in the second mammary gland increases 10 times compared to the rest.

The differential method for detecting an oncological process in another mammary gland primarily consists in clarifying the nature of the formation (malignant or benign) and identifying this primary formation or metastases.

Bilateral breast cancer is primary if:

proven lobular or intraductal structure of the tumor in two mammary glands at once;
in one breast there is an invasive type of tumor, in the other - a pre-invasive one;
structures of a pre-invasive nature were found around the malignant tumor in the tissues of the mammary gland;
the location of the tumor is observed in the parenchyma of symmetrical areas of two breasts at once, and not in soft tissues and subcutaneous tissue;
there is no multiple spread of metastases to regional lymph nodes, separate and extra-organ metastases;
the degree of tumors of a malignant nature differs among themselves.

If several focal formations are found at once within one square of the mammary gland, then the process is considered multifocal. As an example, intraductal cancer can be called, whose foci are located in a square.

If there is breast cancer, the diagnosis should be carried out immediately, since in this case it is possible to determine the degree of the disease, to prescribe an effective therapy that can help the patient cope with the pathology.

You should not neglect the examination by a doctor, because this is how you can determine the formation, which is still at an initial stage and is easily treatable.

Breast biopsy

Today, there are several types of biopsies that are performed to detect cancer in the breast area. These include:

stereotaxic;
trepanabiopsy;
excisional;
puncture.

Puncture biopsy

Thanks to the puncture biopsy, it is possible to obtain the necessary material for cytological examination by aspiration of material from the tumor through a special aspiration gun or syringe. In 80-85% of all situations, the cytological examination of the taken substance allows the correct diagnosis of the patient. The frequency of false negative morphological conclusions is 15-20% in this case.

Excisional biopsy

The technique of excisional biopsy consists in excision of a completely detected seal with an area of \u200b\u200bskin that surrounds it. It can be used to study the cutoff edges for the presence of cancer cells, as well as the ability to identify receptors for steroid hormones in the formation.

Trepanabiopsy

This procedure is carried out with the help of special needles, thanks to which it is possible to obtain from the tumor a column of tissue sufficient for subsequent histological examination. After such a procedure, the walls of the wound canal are coagulated in order to exclude dissemination of tumor cells.

Stereotactic biopsy

Thanks to this type of biopsy, it is possible to obtain accurate material for subsequent morphological examination. However, mammography equipment is required for stereotactic biopsy.

Cytological examination

In the presence of spontaneous nipple discharge, it is recommended to conduct their immediate examination. When isolated polymorphic and rounded lily of vacuolated cells are found among erythrocytes and epithelial cells, it indicates that a woman has an oncological process in the mammary gland.

In case of suspicion of Paget's cancer from the surface of the nipples, using tweezers, it is necessary to remove the crust and make an "imprint" on a glass slide with ulcerated or eroded skin for subsequent staining and cytological examination.

If there is unclear data during a simple mammography, as well as to determine the diagnosis with intraductal papillomas, additional diagnostic steps can also be carried out, among which should be noted computed tomomammography, galactography or dictography.

Each of these diagnostic methods has its own advantages and characteristics of the conduct:

discography is carried out by introducing a contrast agent through a special needle into the opening of the excretory duct that opens on the nipple. Then you need to take an X-ray in two projections;
only galactography makes it possible to determine the exact location of the duct lesion and makes it possible to distinguish dystrophic and inflammatory processes from tumors;
carrying out a computed tomomammography makes it possible to obtain an image (cut in layers) of any part of the breast. It detects the presence of soft tissue structures better than conventional mammography, but it cannot detect small tumors, in particular calcifications.

Ultrasound procedure

Ultrasound examination is necessary to verify palpable lesions, towhich cannot be detected on mammograms, while being an important addition to the x-ray method of research. Diagnostics does not have a harmful effect on the body, therefore it can be used several times.

With its help, it is possible to reveal the depth of the tumor process, its structure, length, relationship with the surrounding tissues.

Thanks to ultrasound, it is possible to determine additionally the presence of fluid in the palpable formation. Ultrasound is not used to detect breast cancer as an independent diagnostic method.

Output

Only a timely study will make it possible to identify the disease at the initial stage, when the most effective treatment can be carried out, saving the patient from oncology.

If you suspect the development of a malignant process in the mammary glands, you should urgently consult a doctor.

In this situation, in no case should you hesitate, because such a cancerous process is characterized by rapid development. Take care of your health, do not neglect it, especially when it comes to cancer.

Breast cancer is a malignant neoplasm that develops rapidly in the tissues of the organ. The proliferation rate and the high rate of metastasis to neighboring organs brings this disease to one of the first positions of the most dangerous pathologies in the world. With late diagnosis, the following organs and systems are affected:

respiratory organs - provoking respiratory failure, inflammatory processes in the lungs;
liver - causing liver failure;
skeletal system - increasing the fragility of bones and increasing the risk of fractures;
brain - changing consciousness, provoking pain syndrome, convulsions, hearing and vision impairment;
spinal cord - contributing to pelvic dysfunction (urinary and fecal incontinence), paralyzing the lower extremities.

In addition to the above pathological processes, breast cancer is a direct threat to the patient's life. Detection at the initial stage of breast cancer in 90% of cases contributes to the rapid elimination of the tumor and reduces the risk of recurrence. Therefore, you should know the first signs of breast cancer in order to timely detect the growth and start treatment.

Early signs of breast cancer

Early diagnosis of a tumor allows you to choose a method of therapy that will allow you to carry out treatment in a short time, without relative harm to the body, and predict the healing process with high accuracy. Depending on the method of examination, early diagnosis can be primary and clarifying.

Primary diagnosis - carried out regularly by palpation and external self-examination or by such specialists as a mammologist, endocrinologist, oncologist or surgeon.

Clarifying diagnostics - carried out if there is a suspicion of the presence of oncological education. Breast examination is carried out using mammography, ultrasound, MRI, computed tomography, morphological examination (biopsy). These methods make it possible to elucidate the nature of pathological cell proliferation, localization, size and nature of tumor changes.

Clinical options

A malignant tumor can take various forms. And the primary symptomatology of the disease depends on how exactly breast cancer manifests itself.

Nodal. At an early stage, nodules (usually solitary, in one breast) of different sizes and localization. The formations are motionless and have a spherical shape. Usually painless.
Edematous infiltrative. Even in its initial manifestation, a purple edema of the entire surface of the mammary gland is determined, with palpation (feeling) pain occurs.
Mastitis-like. The breast is enlarged, the skin is inflamed, often covered with pink spots. In the thickness of the gland, a dense, inactive formation without clear contours is felt.
Erysipelas. Nodules as a result of palpation are not detected, the structure of the gland is compacted. Redness of the skin, an increase in the size of the affected breast are revealed. The presence of temperature is characteristic. With this form of cancer, many doctors mistakenly prescribe anti-inflammatory treatment, antibiotic therapy.
Armored. The gland decreases in size, becomes dense, inactive.
Paget's cancer. There is a deviation of one of the nipples, weeping (maceration) of the surface of the nipple. You can feel a small lump in the nipple-areola area.

Most often, a malignant tumor can be detected by the presence of single or multiple nodule-shaped seals. These formations are distinguished by a clearly limited contour and a dense, immobile structure. There is no pain when pressing on the seal.

Note! Nodules can be symptoms not only of such a pathological process as breast cancer, but also a manifestation of mastitis, mastopathy or fibroadenoma.

Discharge from the nipples

Discharge from the nipples can appear when a rare form of cancer occurs. There is a clear or bloody discharge from one duct (usually after nipple stimulation). Depending on the localization of the cancer, discharge can be observed from one or both mammary glands. Do not confuse the discharge with cancer and mastitis. In the second case, the discharge can be mixed with blood, but the most characteristic is the discharge of pus of a yellow-green hue.

External deformation of the breast, change in the shape of the nipple

If the cancer grows rapidly, the woman may notice a change in the shape of the breast. As a result of extensive proliferation and damage to the surrounding tissues, damage to the ligaments of the breast is observed, externally manifested by the deformation of the mammary gland. This process can be seen when raising your hands up. If a dimple or depression has formed on the surface of the mammary gland, it is necessary to urgently consult a specialist, since this symptom indicates a change in the structure of the mammary gland.

In 60% of patients, nipple retraction is noted, which contributes to an elongated and flattened breast shape. The more the disease progresses, the greater the deepening of the nipple.

Swollen lymph nodes

In breast cancer, the first to be affected are the regional lymph nodes located above and below the collarbones, under the scapula, armpit and in the sternum. A woman can independently diagnose a neoplasm by the enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit. Displacing healthy lymph, cancer cells fill the lymph node cavity, as a result of which a change in its size is observed.

Note! The most reliable sign of breast cancer is an enlargement of regional lymph nodes simultaneously with the appearance of a lump in the area of \u200b\u200bthe mammary glands.

Swelling of the breast

A sign of edematous-infiltrative breast cancer at an early stage is breast swelling, in which pain is mild or absent altogether. The most pronounced edema is observed in the nipple area. With progression - the skin on the chest cannot be folded, the surface takes on the appearance of an "orange peel".

With the mastitis-like form of cancer, edema is also noted, but it affects the entire surface of the breast and is characterized by pronounced hyperemia (redness) of the skin.

Pain and discomfort

These symptoms of early breast cancer occur in 50% of cases. Mastalgia or increased breast tenderness in breast cancer occurs as a result of compression of nerve endings. The larger the cancerous formation, the more nerve nodes it affects, respectively, the pain sensations increase. Most often, in the early stages of the disease, patients complain of soreness, tenderness of the nipples and a feeling of distension of the chest.

Breast self-examination should be performed monthly during the first phase of the menstrual cycle. It is believed that this is the most appropriate time to diagnose the first symptoms of cancer, since the body undergoes the least hormonal changes. After the onset of menopause, an examination should be carried out every 30 days.

Self-diagnosis rules:

Stand straight in front of a mirror and examine the shape of your breasts and nipples. Look for changes in the skin, wrinkles, lumps, dimples, or small depressions.
Raise your arms, securing them above your head. Examine the chest not only from the front, but also from both sides. The skin should not be tight, there should be no bulges or depressions.
Press with your middle fingers on the chest, palpating the entire surface of the breast in a clockwise direction. Start in the upper right quadrant of the breast. There must be no seals.
Squeeze the nipple area with your thumb and forefinger. Allocations should be absent.
Take a horizontal position and examine the surface of the breast with your fingers, also starting from the upper right corner.
Carefully examine the armpit area, feeling for the lymph nodes, the increase in which should alert.

Examination of the mammary glands for the presence of a tumor should begin at the age of twenty. In addition to home self-diagnostics, you should regularly undergo mammography or ultrasound.

If you find the above symptoms, you should contact an oncologist or mammologist to conduct an examination and establish the exact cause of changes in the body. Detection of this pathology at the initial stages can help preserve and prolong the patient's life.

Breast cancer is a very dangerous disease, primarily because it slowly and practically without any symptoms invades the woman's body.

Symptoms of this disease may be different, moreover, these signs may indicate other diseases of the breast, but still, if they are detected, you should immediately contact a mammologist. A woman can herself identify the presence of a tumor by examining the breast and feeling it. As a rule, the tumor at the initial stage does not exceed 2 centimeters in size, and its structure may be irregular in shape, bumpy.

The main signs of breast cancer: the formation of a small abrasion, wounds on the nipple, some soreness in some areas of the mammary gland, bloody discharge from the nipple, a change in the shape of the mammary gland when examined by palpation (by feeling). When the subcutaneous layer is pulled up to the tumor, then a kind of "retraction" occurs, which is another sign of a cancerous tumor. Irritation or flaking may appear on the nipples, and retraction of the nipple is often observed. In a neglected form, an ulcer appears on the skin of the mammary gland. Also, swelling and redness of the mammary gland is often observed. Because cancerous tumors metastasize, then there is swelling of the axillary lymph nodes.

A cancerous tumor can be localized in different ways in the mammary gland. Both the right and left breasts are affected at the same frequency. Moreover, a node in the second breast can represent both an independent tumor and a metastasis from the first neoplasm. Breast cancer that affects both breasts is much less common.

The naked eye may notice on the affected breast a small lump, similar to small cartilage, or a rather soft knot, resembling dough in consistency. Such formations, as a rule, have a round shape, clear or blurred boundaries, a smooth or knobby surface. Sometimes neoplasms reach impressive sizes.

If at least one was found

of the above symptoms, you should immediately go to the hospital. Today, there are many methods for diagnosing a malignant breast tumor: ultrasound, biopsy, mammography, tumor markers, etc. But remember that half of women over the age of 30 have some changes in the mammary glands and if you notice some seals, then you should not panic prematurely, but just visit a doctor immediately.

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BREAST CANCER

STRUCTURE OF THE BREAST

The mammary gland is located on the front surface of the chest from 3 to 7 ribs. The mammary gland consists of lobules, ducts, adipose and connective tissue, blood and lymph vessels. The lymphatic vessels carry lymph, a clear fluid that contains cells of the immune system. Inside the mammary glands are lobules that produce milk after the baby is born and the tubes that connect them to the nipple (ducts). Most of the lymph vessels in the breast drain into the axillary lymph nodes. If tumor cells from the breast reach the axillary lymph nodes, then they form a tumor in that area. In this case, there is a possibility of the spread of tumor cells to other organs.

the incidence of breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and is the second leading cause of cancer death after lung tumors. About 1 million women fall ill with breast cancer every year. Breast cancer is diagnosed in the European Union every 2 minutes; every 6 minutes one woman dies. It is also one of the most studied and timely discovered forms of cancer. Breast cancer is most common between the ages of 55 and 65, however, there are regional and age differences, so breast cancer can be found in much younger women.

WHY DOES BREAST CANCER HAPPEN?

Although there are some known risk factors that increase the likelihood of breast cancer, there is no exact information about what causes most types of breast cancer or how these factors turn normal cells into malignant ones. Female hormones are known to sometimes stimulate the growth of breast cancer. However, how this happens has not yet been clarified.

Another challenging problem is understanding how certain DNA changes can convert normal breast cells into tumor cells. DNA is a chemical substance that carries information about the various activities of all cells. We tend to be like our parents because they are the sources of our DNA. However, DNA affects more than just how we look.

Several genes (parts of DNA) control the growth, division, and death of cells. Breast cancer, like most cancers, arises from the natural aging process of cells and is caused by accumulated gene damage. Some genes promote cell division and are called oncogenes. Other genes slow down cell division or cause cell death and are called tumor suppressor genes. It is known that malignant tumors can be caused by mutations (changes) in DNA that trigger the development of a tumor or turn off genes that inhibit tumor growth.

The BRCA gene is a tumor suppressor gene. When it mutates, it ceases to inhibit tumor growth. This raises the likelihood of developing cancer. Certain inherited DNA changes can cause a high risk of cancer in humans.

BREAST CANCER RISK FACTORS.

Risk factors increase your chances of getting cancer. However, having a risk factor or even multiple risk factors does not mean that cancer will develop. The risk of breast cancer can change over time through, for example, changes in age or lifestyle.

Risk factors that cannot be changed:

Floor. Just being a woman means you have a major risk factor for breast cancer. Because women have significantly more breast cells than men, and possibly because their breast cells are affected by female growth hormones, breast cancer is significantly more common in women. Breast cancer is also possible in men, but this disease occurs 100 times less often than in women.

Age. The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. About 18% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed in women aged 40-50, while 77% of cancers are diagnosed after 50 years.

Genetic risk factors. About 10% of breast cancers are inherited as a result of gene changes (mutations). The most common changes occur in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Normally, these genes help prevent cancer by making proteins that prevent cells from becoming tumor cells. However, if the altered gene is inherited from one of their parents, then there is an increased risk of breast cancer.

Women with an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation have a 35-85% chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. Women with these inherited mutations also have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

Other genes have been identified that can lead to inherited breast cancer. One of them is the ATM gene. This gene is responsible for repairing damaged DNA. In some families with a high incidence of breast cancer, mutations in this gene have been identified. Another gene, CHEK-2, also increases the risk of breast cancer if it is mutated.

Inherited mutations in the p53 tumor suppression (suppression) gene can also increase the risk of developing breast cancer, as well as leukemia, brain tumors and various sarcomas.

Familial breast cancer. The risk of breast cancer is higher among women whose close (blood) relatives have had such a disease.

The risk of developing breast cancer is increased if:

has one or more relatives with breast or ovarian cancer, breast cancer occurred before the age of 50 in a relative (mother, sister, grandmother or aunt) on the mother's or father's side; the risk is higher if the mother or sister has breast cancer, has relatives with breast or ovarian cancer, has one or more relatives with two breast and ovarian cancers or two different breast cancers, has a male relative (or relatives) with breast cancer, there are cases of breast or ovarian cancer in the family, there are diseases in the family associated with inherited breast cancer (Li-Fraumeni or Cowdens syndromes).

Having one immediate family member (mother, sister, or daughter) with breast cancer approximately doubles a woman's risk of breast cancer, and having two immediate family members increases her risk by 5 times. And although the exact risk is unknown, women with a family history of breast cancer from a father or brother also have an increased risk of breast cancer. Thus, about 20-30% of women with breast cancer have a family member with this condition.

Individual history of breast cancer. A woman who has cancer in one breast has a 3 to 4 times increased risk of developing a new tumor in the other gland or in another part of the same breast.

Race. White women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer than African American women. However, African American women are more likely to die of this cancer due to later diagnosis and advanced stages that are more difficult to treat. It is possible that African American women have more aggressive tumors. Women of Asian and Latino descent have a low risk of developing breast cancer.

Previous irradiation of the breast. If women at a younger age were treated for another tumor and received radiation therapy to the chest area, then they have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Younger patients have a higher risk. If radiation therapy is given in combination with chemotherapy, then the risk is reduced, as it often leads to the cessation of the production of ovarian hormones.

Menstrual periods. Women who start menstruating early (before age 12) or who have menopause late (after age 50) have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer.

Lifestyle factors and breast cancer risk:

Lack of children. Childless women and women who have given birth to their first child after age 30 have a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer.

COMPLAINTS

Breast cancer is not always expressed in all women as a mass in the breast. It also happens that women who find a formation in their breasts go to the doctor only after many months. Unfortunately, during this time the disease could already progress.

The most common symptoms of breast cancer are pain and discomfort... There may be other changes in the appearance and sensation of the breasts as well.

Breast formation

The doctor will determine the properties of education:

size (by measuring); location (clockwise and distance from the areola); consistency; connection with the skin, pectoral muscle, or chest wall.

Skin changes

The following changes in breast skin can be observed:

erythema; edema; indentations; nodules.

Nipple changes

Breast cancer can cause the following nipple changes:

retraction; color changes; erosion; discharge.

The lymph nodes

Breast cancer often spreads to the nearby lymph nodes, so the doctor examines the lymph nodes:

in the armpit; over the collarbone; under the collarbone.

Others

Other possible signs and symptoms:

pain or tenderness in the breasts (about 15% of cases); changes in the shape or size of the breast; deepening, retraction or induration of the skin; lemon peel symptom, nipple retraction, rash or discharge.

SURVEY METHODS

Medical checkup

Gynecologists have extensive experience in examining the mammary glands, so they are able to most accurately diagnose. If the specialist is not suspicious, then you should not worry. Many doctors prefer to play it safe and may suggest further testing.

Blood test

In some types of breast cancer, a compound known as CA153 appears in the blood. The presence of such a "marker" in the bloodstream indicates breast cancer, but, unfortunately, its absence does not mean the opposite, since in many types of cancer this substance is not produced. Therefore, a negative test result does not mean that there is no breast cancer.

Mammography

Mammograms are most often done for screening purposes, but they can also be used if cancer is suspected. Therefore, they are called diagnostic mammograms. The study can show that there is no pathology, and the woman can continue the routine examination using this method. Otherwise, a biopsy (taking a piece of tissue for microscopic examination) may be required. A biopsy may also be necessary if mammography data is negative, but a tumor formation in the mammary gland is determined. The only exception is the situation when an ultrasound examination shows the presence of a cyst.

Ultrasound examination (ultrasound) of the mammary glands

This method helps to distinguish a cyst from a tumor formation.

Biopsy

The only way to prove breast cancer is with a biopsy. There are several methods of biopsy. In some cases, a very thin needle is used to extract fluid or cells from the tumor. In other cases, thicker needles are used, or some of the breast tissue is surgically removed.

A puncture biopsy uses a thick needle to obtain a tissue sample from the site of the suspected tumor. To make the procedure painless, local anesthesia is done before it is performed.

If the diagnosis is still in doubt, an excisional biopsy, or in other words an excisional biopsy, should be performed. The advantage of this method is the ability to determine the size of the tumor and to assess in more detail the features of the histological structure.

During aspiration cytology, a small amount of fluid is taken from a suspicious place using a needle and examined under a microscope to see if it contains cancer cells.

A common and relatively easy examination method is fine needle aspiration. This method is often used when a cyst is suspected rather than breast cancer. The cyst usually contains a greenish fluid and usually resolves after aspiration.

Chest x-ray

It is used to detect damage to the lung tissue by the tumor process.

Bone scan

Allows you to identify their cancer damage. In this case, the patient receives very low doses of radiation. The detected lesions may not necessarily be cancer, but be the result of an infection.

Computed tomography (CT )

A special type of X-ray examination. With this method, multiple images are taken from different angles, which allows you to get a detailed picture of the internal organs. The study makes it possible to detect damage to the liver and other organs.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Based on the use of radio waves and strong magnets instead of X-rays. This method is used to examine the mammary glands, brain and spinal cord.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

This method uses a special form of glucose that contains a radioactive substance. Cancer cells absorb large amounts of this glucose, and a special detector then recognizes these cells. PET is done when cancer is suspected but there is no evidence for examining the lymph nodes before removing them.

After detecting breast cancer, an additional examination is carried out and a decision is made regarding therapy.

breast cancer treatment

There are several treatments for breast cancer. Talking to your doctor after the examination will help you make the right decision regarding the method of treatment. It is necessary to take into account the patient's age, general condition and stage of the tumor. Each treatment method has positive and negative aspects. Side effects and complications are possible.

Local and systemic treatment

The goal of topical treatment is to target the tumor without damaging other parts of the body. Surgery and radiation are examples of such treatments.

Systemic treatment consists of oral or intravenous anticancer drugs to target cancer cells that may have spread outside the breast. Chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and immunotherapy are among these treatments.

After surgery, when there are no obvious signs of a tumor, additional therapy may be prescribed. This is due to the fact that even in the early stages of breast cancer, tumor cells can spread throughout the body and ultimately lead to the formation of foci in other organs or bones. The goal of this therapy is to kill invisible cancer cells.

Some women are given chemotherapy before surgery to shrink the tumor.

Operation

Most women with breast cancer undergo some type of surgery to treat the primary tumor. The aim of the operation is to remove the tumor as much as possible. The surgery may be complemented by other treatments, such as chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or radiation therapy.

The operation can also be performed to clarify the spread of the process to the axillary lymph nodes, to restore the appearance of the breast (reconstructive surgery) or to reduce the symptoms of intoxication with advanced cancer.

1. Conduct self-examination.

2. Consult your doctor.

3. It is best to insure yourself by doing a blood test as described above.

4. Ultrasound examination once a year is safe and justified.

5. A suspicious area found during an ultrasound examination should be examined by mammography.

6. If cancer is suspected after mammography, a puncture biopsy, excisional biopsy, aspiration cytology, or fine needle aspiration should be considered.