Everything You Should Know About Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is considered to be one of the most common medical conditions in the US. According to estimates, over a hundred thousand women are diagnosed with it every year. This article summarizes everything you should know about this disease. Read on to learn about its symptoms and available treatment procedures.
Overview
This disease affects the area around the breasts. In most cases, the malignant cells invade the lobules or the ducts, which are the glands that produce and pathways that secrete milk, respectively. Cancer will destroy a significant amount of tissue before traveling to and attacking a larger region.
If not contained or eliminated, the malignant cells will find their way up around the armpits. In this area, they’ll attack the lymph nodes and soon travel to other parts of the body. Women are among those who are commonly affected by breast cancer. But, even if that’s the case, it doesn’t mean that men can’t develop this medical condition.
Symptoms
The tumor, in its early stages, is too small to be felt by touch. It can’t be detected unless the patient undergoes an imaging process, such as an ultrasound, X-ray, MRI, or mammogram. If left untreated, the lump will grow larger and harder over the next months.
Aside from the hard lump that grows near one or both of their breasts, patients also feel pain, numbness, or swelling around the affected area. This sensation indicates that malignant cells are spreading and attacking tissues. In some cases, they’ll also secrete a thick, yellowish, or reddish substance from their nipples.
Other symptoms of cancer include flaking skin, sudden change of the shape of the breasts, and unexplained rashes around the nipples. If a person experiences these conditions, they’re advised to visit a clinic and get themselves checked for cancer.
Treatment
There are various treatment options available for patients, including:
Surgery
The aim of this procedure is to get rid of the malignant cells. There are several types of surgery, and 2 of the most common ones are:
- Mastectomy – Either one or both breasts are completely removed to ensure that the cancer cells are eliminated.
- Lumpectomy – As opposed to mastectomy, this procedure involves targeting the tumor, which will be removed along with the tissues that surround it.
Medication
Available for patients who are still in the earliest stages, this procedure involves the administration of drugs. The goal isn’t to completely eliminate the malignant cells but hinder their spread and prevent them from being destructive.
Chemotherapy
One of the most common options, chemotherapy is a treatment that destroys pancreatic cancer cells. As a result, the malignant tumor will shrink, making it easier to target and remove through surgery.
Patients should speak with experts who took up breast cancer CE to learn about the most suitable option for them. Usually, the right treatment is determined depending on the severity of the case and the size of the tumor found in the body and the equipment used, including medical industrial chillers, will depend on the treatment given.
