Breast cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the breast. Cancer begins when cells grow out of control. Breast cancer cells usually form a tumor, which is usually seen on X-rays or felt as a lump. It is very important to understand that most breast lumps are benign and not cancerous or malignant. Non-cancerous breast tumors grow abnormally, but do not spread outside the breast. They are not life-threatening, but some benign breast lumps increase the risk of سرطان سینه in women.
To determine whether the cancer is benign or malignant and whether it will affect the risk of developing cancer in the future, any cancerous mass or changes in the appearance of the breast should be checked by a healthcare professional. Previously, we talked about what cancer is , its diagnosis and treatment methods. We dedicated this article to breast cancer and in the following, we will discuss the following topics:
How does breast cancer start?
Changes or mutations in DNA can cause normal breast cells to turn into cancer cells. Some DNA changes are passed down from parents (inherited) and can increase the risk of breast cancer. Other lifestyle factors, such as what you eat, how much you exercise, etc., can increase your risk of developing this cancer. But it is not yet known exactly how some risk factors cause normal cells to become cancerous. Hormones appear to play an important role in many cases of breast cancer, but how this happens is still not fully understood. In general, the following causes of cancer can be listed:
Genetic changes or mutations: Some DNA mutations are inherited or passed on to you from your parents. This means that when you are born, mutations are present in all your cells. Certain mutations can greatly increase the risk of certain cancers.
Proto-oncogenes: Proto-oncogenes are genes that help the normal growth of cells. Proto-oncogenes become bad genes when they change or multiply, and if they get out of control, they can lead to cancer. This bad gene is called an oncogene.
Tumor suppressor genes: These are genes that slow down cell division. If these genes do not work properly, they can lead to cancer.
Inherited gene changes: Some inherited DNA mutations dramatically increase the risk of developing cancer and lead to cancers that run in some families.
Acquired gene changes: Most DNA mutations in breast cancer occur during a woman's lifetime rather than being inherited, which may be caused by radiation or chemicals.
In which part of the body does breast cancer start?
This cancer can start from different parts of the breast.
Most breast cancers start from the ducts that carry milk to the nipple, which are called ductal or ductal cancer.
Some start in the milk-producing glands, which are called lobular or invasive cancers.
Other types of breast cancer, such as phyllodes tumors or angiosarcoma, are not very common.
A limited number of cancers start in other breast tissues. These cancers are called sarcomas or lymphomas and are not actually thought of as breast cancer.
Some types of breast cancer may cause a lump in the breast. You can better check your situation regarding this disease by studying the signs and symptoms of cancer. Most breast cancers are detected early in screening mammograms before they are felt and before symptoms appear.
There are different types of breast cancer, among which, non -invasive ductal carcinoma (DCIS) and invasive carcinoma are more common, and others such as phyllodes tumors and angiosarcoma are less common in patients. After sampling, breast cancer cells are tested for proteins called estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and HER2. Tumor cells are also examined in the laboratory to determine the stage of cancer. Specific proteins present and determination of tumor grade help in deciding treatment options.
How does breast cancer spread in the body?
Cancer spreads when cancer cells enter the blood or lymphatic system and travel to other parts of the body. The lymphatic system is a network of lymphatic vessels that exist throughout the body and connect lymph nodes. The clear liquid inside the lymphatic vessels, called lymph, contains by-products and waste materials as well as cells of the immune system. Lymphatic vessels carry lymph fluid away from the breast. In the case of breast cancer, cancer cells can enter the lymphatic vessels and start growing in the lymph nodes. Most of the lymphatic vessels of the breast drain in the following areas:
Lymph nodes under the arm
Lymph nodes around the collarbone and lymph nodes under the collarbone
Lymph nodes inside the chest (internal mammary lymph nodes)
If cancer cells have spread to your lymph nodes, it is more likely that the cells can spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system. The more lymph nodes with breast cancer cells, the more likely it is to develop cancer in other parts of the body. Because of this, finding cancer in one or more lymph nodes often affects your treatment plan. You usually need surgery to remove one or more lymph nodes to determine if the cancer has spread. However, not all women with cancer cells in their lymph nodes develop metastases, and some women without any cancer cells in their lymph nodes may develop metastases later.
What are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer?
Knowing what the breasts should look like is an important part of breast health. Although it is important to have regular screening tests to detect this cancer, mammograms do not find every type of breast cancer. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of your breast changes and know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer .
The most common symptom of breast cancer is the presence of a new lump . A painless hard lump with irregular edges is more likely to be cancerous, but breast cancer lumps can also be soft or round. They can even be painful. It is very important to have any type of lump or changes in the breast checked by a specialist.
Other possible symptoms of breast cancer:
- Swelling of all or part of the breast (even if a lump is not felt)
- pitting of the skin (sometimes looks like orange peel.)
- Breast or nipple pain
- Indentation of the nipple
- Redness, scaling, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin
- nipple discharge
- Swollen lymph nodes (Sometimes breast cancer can spread to the lymph nodes under the arm or around the collarbone, causing a lump or swelling, even before the original tumor in the breast is large enough to feel.)
Although any of these symptoms can be caused by other things than breast cancer, if they are present, you should see a specialist doctor to find out the cause. Note that screening tests and mammograms help to detect breast cancer as quickly as possible before any symptoms appear and give you a better chance of treatment.