Breast Cancer

Breast cancer or ‘breast carcinoma’ is the most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of death in women. This occurs when the abnormal cells multiply and go out of control. It begins with the formation of a tumor. If the tumor is malignant, it has the potential to grow and spread or metastasize to different parts of the body through the blood stream or the lymphatic system. In the recent years, the frequency of breast cancer has increased and has become a source of suffering to the persons affected and also their families. Men also can get affected with the breast cancer but the frequency is very less. Breast cancer can be completely cured if detected early, if not it is very difficult to get rid of it completely through treatment. Treatment of breast cancer involves controlling the spread of the disease for years.

Breast cancer can be ‘invasive’ (spreading) or ‘noninvasive’ (do not spread and is confined to the original site). There are different kinds of breast cancer and few of them are discussed below.

• carcinoma in situ : This is noninvasive type of breast cancer and the cancer occurs only in the ducts. If the women are diagnosed in this stage through a mammogram, it can be easily cured.

• Lobular carcinoma in situ : This condition is not a true cancer. It begins in the milk producing glands. Presence of this condition in women increases the risk of getting affected with breast cancer later.

• Invasive (infiltrating) carcinoma : This kind of cancer begins in the milk passage, breaks through the wall of the passage and spreads in the breast tissue. Later the cancer cells spreads to different parts of the body.

• Invasive (infiltrating) lobular carcinoma : This condition begins in the milk lobules and spreads to different parts of the body.

• Inflammatory breast cancer : This is a rare invasive condition where a tumor or lump is not seen, instead the skin of the breast looks red and warm to feel. The skin is thick with pitted appearance and looks like an orange peel. The breast becomes larger, firmer, tender and itchy.