What is Breast Cancer
Breast cancer ocurs when some breast cells begin to grow abnormally. These cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells do and continue to accumulate, forming a lump or mass. Cells may spread (metastasize) through your breast to your lymph or to other parts. Breast cancer can occur in both men and women, but it's far more common in women. Breast cancer survival rates have increased, and the number of deaths associated with this disease is steadily declining, largely due to factors such as:
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Earlier detection
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New personalized approach to treatment
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Better understanding of the disease
Overall
1 in 28
women is likely to develop breast cancer during her lifetime.
A Breast lump of thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue.
Change in the size, shape or appearance of the breast.
Changes to the skin over the breast, such as dimpling.
Peeling, scaling, crusting or flaking of the pigmented are surrounding the nipple (areola) or breast skin.
Redness or pitting of the skin over the breast, like the skin of an orange.
A newly inverted nipple.
Type:
Precursor breast lesions
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DCIS (Ductal carcinoma in situ)
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LCIS (Lobular carcinoma in situ)
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ADH (Atypical ductal hyperplasia)
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ALH (Atypical lobular hyperplasia)
Invasive breast cancers
Invasive carcinoma of no special type
Invasive lobular carcinoma
Mucinous carcinoma
Tubular carcinoma
Invasive micropapillary carcinoma
Invasive papillary carcinoma
Medullary carcinoma
Metaplastic carcinoma
Adenoid cystic carcinoma
Risk Factors
Inherited breast cancer
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About 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are linked to gene mutations passed through generations of a family. The most well-known are breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2), both of which significantly increase the risk of both breast and ovarian cancer.
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PARP (poly-ADP ribose polymerase) is a protein found in our cells, helps damaged cells to repair themselves. In a cancer patient, PARP inhibitor stops PARP from doing its repair work and so the cancer cell dies. FDA approved Olaparib (PARP inhibitor) for the treatment of patients with germline BRCA-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer who have previously received chemotherapy. Our test BRCA1 & BRCA2 MUTATION DRUG PROFILING PANEL (N195) detects most of the mutations and insertions/deletions in the BRCA gene associated with Breast cancer.
Diagnosis
Core needle biospy
Staging breast cancer
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A core needle biopsy uses a long, hollow tube to extract a core of tissue.
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Once your doctor has diagnosed your breast cancer, he or she works to establish the extent (stage) of your cancer.
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A biopsy is the only definitive way to make a diagnosis of breast cancer. During a biopsy, your doctor uses a specialized needle device guided by X-ray or another imaging test to extract a core of tissue from the suspicious area. Often, a small metal marker is left at the site within your breast so the area can be easily identified on future imaging tests.
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Your cancer's stage helps determine your prognosis and the best treatment options.
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Biopsy samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis where experts determine whether the cells are cancerous.
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Complete information about your cancer's stage may not be available until after you undergo breast cancer surgery.
Tests and procedures used to stage Breast Cancer
Breast cancer stages range from 0 to IV with 0 indicating cancer that is noninvasive or contained within the milk ducts. Stage IV breast cancer, also called metastatic breast cancer, indicates cancer that has spread to other areas of the body.Breast cancer staging also takes into account your cancer's grade the presence of tumor markers, such as receptors for estrogen, progesterone and HER2 and proliferation factors.
