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July 26, 2019

What Is Stomach Cancer ? Stomach Cancer Causes and Symptoms

What Is Stomach Cancer?

What Is Stomach Cancer? Stomach Cancer Causes and Symptoms


In general, stomach cancer begins in the cells that line the stomach and produce mucus. This type of cancer is called "adenocarcinoma."
During the last decades, cancer rates in the main part of the stomach (body of the stomach) were reduced worldwide. During the same period, it became more frequent to have cancer in the upper part of the stomach (cardias), where it joins the lower end of the swallowing tube (esophagus). This area of the stomach is called "gastroesophageal junction."

Symptom:

The signs and symptoms of gastroesophageal junction cancer and stomach cancer can be the following:

  • Fatigue
  • Feeling bloated after eating
  • Feeling full after eating small amounts of food
  • Intense and persistent heartburn
  • Strong indigestion that is always present
  • Constant nausea without apparent cause
  • Stomachache
  • Constant vomiting
  • Involuntary weight loss

When to consult the doctor
If you have signs and symptoms that concern you, schedule a consultation with the doctor. Probably, the doctor, in the first instance, investigates more frequent causes of your signs and symptoms.

Causes:

In general, cancer begins when an error (mutation) occurs in the DNA of a cell. The mutation causes the cell to grow, divide rapidly and continue to live longer than a normal cell. The accumulation of cancer cells forms a tumor that can invade surrounding structures. Cancer cells can break away from the tumor and spread to other parts of the body.

Gastroesophageal junction cancer is related to gastroesophageal reflux disease and, to a lesser extent, to obesity and smoking. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a disorder that occurs due to frequent reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus.

There is a strong correlation between a diet with a high content of smoked and salty foods, and stomach cancer located in the main part of the stomach. As the use of the refrigerator to conserve food has increased worldwide, the incidence of stomach cancer has decreased.

Risk Factors:

The main risk factors for cancer of the gastroesophageal junction is the clinical history of gastroesophageal reflux disease and obesity.

The factors that increase the risk of stomach cancer in the stomach body are:
  • A diet high in smoked and salty foods
  • A diet low in fruits and vegetables
  • Family history of stomach cancer
  • Helicobacter pylori infection
  • Long-term stomach inflammation
  • Pernicious anemia
  • Smoking
  • Stomach polyps

Prevention:

It is not clear what causes cancer of the gastroesophageal or stomach junction, so there is no way to prevent it. However, you can take measures to reduce the risk of cancer of the gastroesophageal and stomach junctions by making small changes in your daily life. For example, try to do the following:
  • Do exercise. Regular exercise is associated with a lower risk of stomach cancer. Try to incorporate physical activity into your routine and practice it most days of the week.
  • Eat more fruits and vegetables. Try adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet every day. Choose from a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables.
  • Reduce the amount of salty and smoked foods. Limit these foods to protect the stomach.
  • Stop smoking. If you smoke, stop doing it. If you don't smoke, don't start doing it now. Smoking increases the risk of stomach cancer, as well as many other types of cancer. Quitting smoking can be very difficult, so ask your doctor for help.
  • Ask your doctor about the risk of having gastroesophageal or stomach cancer. Talk to your doctor if you are at an increased risk for stomach or gastroesophageal junction cancer. Together they can plan regular endoscopies to look for signs of stomach cancer.

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July 26, 2019

What Is Bladder Cancer? Bladder Cancer Causes and Symptoms

What Is Bladder Cancer? 

What Is Bladder Cancer ? Bladder Cancer Causes and Symptoms



Bladder cancer is one of the most common types of cancer and affects about 68,000 adults per year in the United States. Bladder cancer occurs more frequently in men than in women and generally affects older adults, although it can occur at any age.



Bladder cancer begins most frequently in cells (urothelial cells) that line the inside of the bladder, the muscular and hollow organ that stores urine and is located in the lower abdomen. Although it occurs more frequently in the bladder, this same type of cancer can occur in other parts of the urinary tract drainage system.

About 7 out of 10 cases of bladder cancer diagnosed begin at an early stage when bladder cancer is highly treatable. However, even early bladder tumors can come back. For this reason, people with bladder cancer generally need to undergo follow-up tests for years after treatment, to detect bladder cancer that reappears or progresses to a higher stage.

Symptom:

Some signs and symptoms of bladder cancer can be:
  • Blood in the urine (hematuria)
  • Painful urination
  • Pelvic pain
If you have hematuria, the urine may look deep red or brown. Sometimes the urine does not look different, but blood can be detected by a microscopic examination of the urine.

People with bladder cancer may also have:
  • Back pain
  • Need to urinate often
However, these symptoms often occur due to causes other than bladder cancer.

Causes:

Bladder cancer appears when bladder cells begin to multiply abnormally. Instead of growing and dividing in an organized manner, these cells have mutations that cause them to multiply uncontrollably and not die. These abnormal cells form a tumor.
The causes of bladder cancer include:
  • Smoking and other tobacco consumption
  • Exposure to chemicals, especially having a job that requires exposure to them
  • Radiation exposure in the past
  • Chronic irritation of the bladder lining
  • Parasitic infections, particularly, in people originating from certain areas outside the United States or who traveled to those places
The causes of bladder cancer are not always clear, and some people who suffer from it have no obvious risk factors.

Types of Bladder Cancer:

There are different types of cells in the bladder that can become cancerous. The type of bladder cell in which cancer begins determines the type of bladder cancer. The type of bladder cancer determines which treatments may be best for you.

Types of bladder cancer include:

  • Urothelial carcinoma, formerly called "transitional cell carcinoma," occurs in the cells that line the inside of the bladder. Urothelial cells expand when the bladder is full and contract when emptied. These same cells line the inside of the ureters and urethra, and in those places, tumors can also form. Urothelial carcinoma is the most common type of bladder cancer in the United States.
  • Squamous cell carcinoma is related to chronic bladder irritation, for example, due to infection or prolonged use of a urinary catheter. Epidermoid cell bladder cancer is rare in the United States. It is more common in places in the world where a common cause of bladder infections is a certain infection by parasites (schistosomiasis).
  • Adenocarcinoma begins in the cells that make up the secretory glands of mucus in the bladder. Bladder adenocarcinoma is rare in the United States.
Some types of bladder cancer involve more than one type of cell.

Risk Factors:

Factors that may increase the risk of bladder cancer include:

  • Smoke. Smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes can increase the risk of bladder cancer, as it causes harmful chemicals to accumulate in the urine. When you smoke, your body processes the chemicals in the smoke and excretes some of them in your urine. These harmful chemicals can damage the lining of your bladder, which can increase the risk of cancer.
  • Advanced age. The risk of bladder cancer increases with age. Bladder cancer can appear at any age, but it is rare in people under 40.
  • Be white. White people are at greater risk of bladder cancer than people of other races.
  • Being of the male sex. Men are more likely to have bladder cancer than women.
  • Exposure to certain chemicals. The kidneys have a fundamental role in filtering harmful chemicals from the bloodstream and transferring them to the bladder. For this reason, it is believed that being close to certain chemicals may increase the risk of bladder cancer. Arsenic and the chemicals used in the manufacture of dyes, rubbers, leather, textile products, and paints are some of the chemicals related to the risk of bladder cancer.
  • Previous oncological treatments. Treatment with cyclophosphamide, an anticancer drug, increases the risk of bladder cancer. People who have received radiation treatments aimed at the pelvis due to previous cancer have an increased risk of bladder cancer.
  • Chronic inflammation of the bladder. Chronic or repeated urinary infections or cystitis (cystitis), such as those that may occur with prolonged use of a urinary catheter, may increase the risk of developing bladder squamous cell carcinoma. In some regions of the world, squamous cell carcinoma is associated with chronic inflammation of the bladder caused by a parasitic infection known as "schistosomiasis."
  • Personal or family history of cancer. If you have had bladder cancer, you are more likely to get it again. If one or more of your first-degree relatives (one of your parents, a brother or a child) have a history of bladder cancer, you may have a higher risk of contracting this disease, although it is rare for bladder cancer to run in families. Having a family history of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, also called "Lynch syndrome," may increase the risk of having cancer in the urinary tract, as well as in the colon, uterus, ovaries, and other organs.


Prevention:

Although there is no guaranteed way to prevent bladder cancer, you can take steps to help reduce the risk. For example:

  • Do not smoke. No smoking means that the chemicals in the smoke that cause cancer cannot accumulate in the bladder. If you don't smoke, don't start doing it. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about a plan that will help you quit smoking. Support groups, medications, and other methods can help you quit smoking.
  • Be careful with chemicals. If you work with chemicals, follow all safety instructions to avoid exposure.
  • Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables. Choose a diet rich in a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. The antioxidants present in fruits and vegetables can help reduce the risk of cancer.
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July 26, 2019

What is Bone Cancer? Signs and Symptoms of Bone Cancer

What is Bone Cancer? 

What is Bone Cancer? Signs and Symptoms of Bone Cancer

Bone cancer is uncommon in adults. It originates in the cells that make up the bones. Cancer occurs when cells begin to grow out of control. Almost any cell in the body can become cancer and spread to other parts of the body.

Normal bone tissue:

To understand bone cancer, it is helpful to know a little about normal bone tissue.

 Bones form the structure that supports your entire body. Most bones are hollow. The hard outer layer is composed of compact (cortical) bone, which covers the spongy (trabecular) inner bone of less density. A fibrous tissue known as periosteum covers the outer part of the bones. The hollow bones contain a space called the medullary cavity that contains the soft, spongy tissue called bone marrow (discussed below). The tissue that lines the medullary canal is called the endosteum.

 At each end of the bones, there is an area formed by a softer type of tissue, similar to the bone called cartilage. Cartilage is softer than bone but firmer than most tissues. The cartilage is made up of a matrix of fibrous tissue mixed with a gelatinous substance that does not contain much calcium. Most bones start being cartilage. Then, the body deposits calcium in the cartilage to form bone. Once the bone is formed, cartilage may remain at the ends to act as a cushion between the bones. This cartilage, together with ligaments and other tissues, connects the bones to form a joint. In adults, cartilage is found mainly at the ends of some bones that are part of a joint.

 The cartilage can also be seen in the thorax, where the ribs join the sternum and in certain areas of the face. Other structures that contain cartilage are the trachea, the larynx and the outer part of the ears.
The bones are very hard and resistant. Some bones can withstand up to 12,000 pounds of pressure per square inch. It is necessary to exert a pressure of between 1,200 and 1,800 pounds to break the femur (thigh bone).

 The bones themselves contain two types of cells.
  • The osteoblast is the cell that deposits new bone
  • The osteoclast is the cell that disintegrates the old bone
Frequently, it seems that the bones do not change much, but in reality, they are very active. The new bone is constantly formed while the old bone disintegrates.

 In some bones, the bone marrow is only fatty tissue. In other bones, the bone marrow is a mixture of fat cells and blood-forming cells. Blood forming cells produce red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. There are also other types of cells in the bone marrow, such as plasma cells and fibroblasts.
Any of these bone cells can become cancer.

Types of Bone Tumors:


 Non-Cancerous Bone Tumors
Some tumors that begin in the bone are benign (not cancer). Benign tumors do not spread to other tissues or other organs, and do not usually pose a risk to life. Often, they can be cured with surgery. Some types of benign bone tumors are:
  • Osteoid osteoma
  • Osteoblastoma
  • Osteochondroma
  • Enchondroma
  • Chondromyxoid fibroma
  Benign tumors are no longer discussed in this article.

Bone Metastases

Most of the time when a person with cancer is informed that they have bone cancer, the doctor refers to cancer that has spread to the bones from elsewhere. This is called metastatic cancer, and it can occur in many different types of advanced cancer, such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer. When cancer cells in the bone are seen under a microscope, they look the same as the tissue they come from.
Therefore, if a person has lung cancer that has spread to the bones, the cancer cells present in the bone look like lung cancer cells and will continue to behave as such. They do not look like bone cancer cells or behave like these, even if they are in the bones. Since these cancer cells continue to behave like lung cancer cells, they should be treated with drugs that act against lung cancer.

Blood cancers

Other types of cancer that are sometimes called "bone cancer" have their origin in the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow, not in the bone itself.
Multiple myelomas are the most common cancer that originates in the bone marrow and causes bone tumors. Another cancer that originates from the bone marrow is leukemia. Sometimes lymphomas, which most often originate in the lymph nodes, can originate in the bone marrow. These blood cancers are not discussed in this article.

Bone cancers

True (or primary) bone tumors originate in the bone itself and are called sarcomas. These are malignant tumors, which means they are cancerous.
Sarcomas originate in the bones, muscles, fibrous tissue, blood vessels, fatty tissue and also in other tissues. They can develop in any part of the body. Detailed information on these tumors is provided below.

Malignant bone tumors:

There are many different types of primary bone cancers. The name assigned to them is a function of the part of the bone or adjacent tissue affected and the type of cells that make up the tumor. Some are quite uncommon.

 Osteosarcoma
Osteosarcoma (also called osteogenic sarcoma) is the most common primary bone cancer. It originates in bone cells. Most often it affects young people between 10 and 30 years of age, but about 10% of cases of osteosarcoma occur in people between 60 and 79 years. It is rare in middle-aged people and is more common in men than in women. These tumors develop more frequently in the bones of the arms, legs or pelvis.

 Chondrosarcoma
Chondrosarcoma originates in cartilage cells and is the second most common primary bone cancer. It is rare to see this cancer in people under 20 years of age, but after that age, the risk of chondrosarcoma is increased until the person turns approximately 75 years old. Women develop this cancer as often as men.
Chondrosarcomas can start anywhere where there is cartilage. Most are formed in bones, such as the pelvis, legs or arms. Sometimes chondrosarcoma can begin in the trachea, larynx and chest wall. Other places may be the scapula (shoulder blade), ribs or skull.

 Benign tumors (not cancer) are more common in cartilage than malignant tumors. These are known as enchondromas. Another type of benign cartilage tumor is a bone projection covered by cartilage, which is called osteochondroma. Rarely do these benign tumors turn into cancer. People who have many of these tumors have a slightly higher chance of getting cancer, but this is not common.

 Chondrosarcomas are classified by grade, which measures how fast they grow. The pathologist (a doctor specially trained to examine and diagnose tissue samples with a microscope) is the one who assigns the grade. The lower the grade, the slower cancer grows. When cancer grows slowly, the chances of it spreading are lower. Therefore, the prospects are better. Most chondrosarcomas are low grade (grade I) or intermediate (grade II). High-grade chondrosarcomas (grade III), which are the most likely to spread, are less common.

 Some chondrosarcomas have distinctive features that can be observed with a microscope. These subtypes of chondrosarcoma often have a different prognosis:
  • Dedifferentiated chondrosarcomas begin as common chondrosarcomas, but then some parts of the tumor become cells such as those of a high-grade sarcoma (such as high-grade malignant fibrohistiocytoma osteosarcoma or fibrosarcoma). This type of chondrosarcoma is usually formed in older patients and is more aggressive than usual chondrosarcoma.
  • Chondrosarcomas of clear cells are rare and grow slowly. They rarely spread to other parts of the body, unless they have reappeared several times in the original location.
  • Mesenchymal chondrosarcomas can grow rapidly, they are sensitive to treatment with radiation and chemotherapy.

Ewing's tumor

Ewing's tumor is the third most common type of primary bone cancer, and the second most common type in children, adolescents, and young adults. It is uncommon to see this cancer in adults over 30 years. This cancer (also known as Ewing's sarcoma) was named after the doctor who first described it in 1921, Dr. James Ewing. Most Ewing tumors develop in the bones, but they can originate in other tissues and organs. The sites where this cancer most commonly develops are the pelvis, the chest wall (for example, the ribs or shoulder blades), and the long bones of the legs or arms. Ewing tumors occur more frequently in white people and are very rare in black and Asian Americans.

Malignant Fibrohistiocytoma


Malignant fibrohistiocytoma (MFH) originates more frequently in soft tissues (connective tissues, such as ligaments, tendons, fat, and muscle); It is uncommon in the bones. This cancer is also known as undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, especially when it originates in soft tissues. When MFH occurs in the bones, it usually affects the legs (usually around the knees) or the arms. This type of cancer occurs more frequently in older or middle-aged adults and is quite uncommon in children. Usually, MFH tends to grow locally, but it can spread to distant sites, such as the lungs.


Fibrosarcoma

It is another type of cancer that develops more frequently in soft tissues than in bones. Usually, fibrosarcoma occurs in middle-aged and elderly adults. The most affected bones are those of the legs, arms, and jaw

Giant cell bone tumor

This type of primary bone tumor is benign (not cancer) and malignant. The benign form is the most common. Typically, giant cell bone tumors affect the legs (usually near the knees) or the arms of young and middle-aged adults. They usually do not spread to remote sites, but tend to reappear at the place where they originated after surgery. (It is called local recurrence). This can happen many times. With each recurrence, the chances of the tumor spreading to other parts of the body increase. Rarely, a malignant tumor of giant cell bone spreads to other parts of the body without first resorting locally.

Chordoma

Usually, this primary bone tumor occurs at the base of the skull and in the bones of the spine. This cancer most often in adults over 30 years of age. It is approximately twice as frequent in men than in women. Chordomas usually grow slowly and often do not spread to other parts of the body. They often return in the same area, if not completely removed. The most common areas of tumor spread are lymph nodes, lungs, and liver.

Other types of cancer that form in the bones:

Other types of bone cancer can be detected, but they do not start in bone cells. These types are not treated as primary bone cancers.

Non-Hodgkin lymphomas

Usually, non-Hodgkin lymphoma develops in the lymph nodes, but sometimes it originates in the bone. Non-Hodgkin primary bone lymphoma is usually an extended disease since many bones are usually affected. The prognosis is similar to that of other non-Hodgkin lymphomas of the same subtype and at the same stage. Primary bone lymphoma receives the same treatment as lymphomas that originate in the lymph nodes; It is not treated as a primary bone sarcoma. For more information, see Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Multiple myelomas

Multiple myelomas almost always form in the bones, but it is not primary bone cancer since it originates in the plasma cells of the bone marrow (the soft inner part of some bones). Although it causes bone destruction, it is not bone cancer, nor is leukemia. It is treated as an extended disease. Sometimes, myeloma can first be found as a single tumor (called plasmacytoma) in a single bone, but most of the time it will spread to the marrow of other bones. See Multiple Myeloma.


Signs and symptoms of bone cancer:

Pain

The most common sign of bone cancer is a pain in the affected bone. At first, the pain is not constant. It can become worse at night or when the bone is used (for example, pain in the leg when walking). As cancer grows, the pain will be constant, and it can get worse with activity.

Swelling

The swelling in the area of ​​pain may not occur until several weeks later. Sometimes, a lump or mass may be felt, depending on where the tumor is.

Cancers in the bones of the neck can cause a lump or mass in the back of the throat that can cause problems swallowing or make breathing difficult.

Fractures

Bone cancer can weaken the bone in which it is formed, but most of the time the bones do not fracture (break). The person who suffers a fracture next to or through the site of the bone tumor usually describes a sudden severe pain in a bone that he had felt in pain for a few months.

Other symptoms

Cancer in the bones of the spine can press on the nerves, causing numbness and tingling or even weakness.

Cancer can cause weight loss and exhaustion. If cancer spreads to the internal organs, it can also cause other symptoms. For example, if cancer spreads to the lungs, it can cause breathing problems.

More often, these symptoms are caused by conditions other than cancer, such as injuries or arthritis. Even so, if these problems last for a long time for no apparent reason, you should consult your doctor.



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Thursday, July 25, 2019

July 25, 2019

What Is Breast Cancer ? Breast Cancer Symptoms,Causes and Treatment

What is breast cancer?

What Is Breast Cancer Breast Cancer Symptoms,Causes and Treatment

Breast cancer (or breast cancer) originates when breast cells begin to grow out of control. These cells usually form a tumor that can often be seen on an x-ray or can be felt as a lump (mass or lump). The tumor is malignant (cancer) if cells can grow by penetrating (invading) surrounding tissues or spreading (metastasis) to distant areas of the body. Breast cancer occurs almost exclusively in women, but men can also get it. Almost any cell in the body can become cancer and spread to other areas.

Where does breast cancer originate?

Breast cancers can originate in different parts of the breast. Most breast cancers begin in the ducts that carry the milk to the nipple (ductal cancers). Some cancers originate in the glands that produce milk (lobular cancers). There are also other less common types of breast cancer.

A small number of cancers begins in other breast tissues. These cancers are called sarcomas and lymphomas and are not really considered breast cancers.

Although many types of breast cancer can cause a lump (lump or mass) in the breast, not everyone does. Many breast cancers are found in screening mammograms that can show cancers at an earlier stage, often before they can be palpated, and before symptoms occur. You should be aware of other symptoms of breast cancer and report them to your doctor.

It is also important that you know that most breast bumps are benign and not cancerous (malignant). Non-cancerous (benign) breast tumors are abnormal growths, but they do not spread outside the breast and do not put life in danger. However, some benign breast lumps may increase the risk of breast cancer. Any mass or change in the breast should be examined by a health care professional to see if it is benign or malignant (cancer), and if it could affect your future risk of cancer.

How does breast cancer spread?

Breast cancer can spread when cancer cells reach the blood or lymphatic system and reach other parts of the body.

 The lymphatic system is a network of lymphatic (or lymphatic) vessels found throughout the body that connects the lymph nodes (small clusters in the form of a bean of immune system cells). The transparent fluid inside the lymphatic vessels, called lymph, contains products derived from tissues and waste matter, as well as immune system cells. The lymphatic vessels carry lymph fluid out of the breasts. In the case of breast cancer, cancer cells can enter the lymph vessels and begin to grow in the lymph nodes. Most breast lymphatic vessels drain into:

 Lymph nodes located under the arm (axillary nodes)

 The lymph nodes surrounding the clavicle (supraclavicular lymph nodes [above the clavicle] and infraclavicular [below the clavicle])
Lymph nodes found inside the chest and near the sternum (internal mammary lymph nodes)
If the cancer cells have spread to your lymph nodes, there is a greater chance that the cells have moved through the lymphatic system and spread (metastasized) to other parts of your body. The more lymph nodes with breast cancer cells, the greater the likelihood of finding cancer in other organs. Because of this, finding cancer in one or more lymph nodes often affects your treatment plan. Generally, surgery is needed to remove one or more lymph nodes to find out if cancer has spread.

However, not all women with cancer cells in their lymph nodes have metastases, and it is possible that some women without cancer cells in their lymph nodes develop metastases later.

Signs and symptoms of breast cancer:

An important part of breast health is knowing how your breasts normally look and feel. Discovering breast cancer as soon as possible will give you more chance that your treatment will be effective. However, knowing the signs you should pay attention to does not replace routine mammograms or other screening tests. Screening tests can help find breast cancer in its early stages before any symptoms appear.

The most common symptom of breast cancer is a new lump or lump. A non-painful, hard mass with irregular borders is more likely to be cancer, although cancerous breast tumors can also be tender to palpation, soft and rounded. They can even cause pain. For this reason, it is important for a doctor with experience in the diagnosis of breast diseases to examine any new lump or lump, or any breast changes.

Other possible symptoms of breast cancer include:

  • Swelling of the entire breast or part of it (even if you don't feel a definite bump)
  • Skin irritation or dimple formation (sometimes similar to the peel of an orange)
  • Pain in the breast or nipple
  • Retraction (contraction) of the nipples
  • Redness, peeling or thickening of the skin of the breast or nipple
  • Nipple discharge other than breast milk


Sometimes breast cancer can spread to the lymph nodes in the armpits or around the collarbone and cause a bump or swelling there, even before the original breast tumor is large enough to be palpated. A doctor should also examine the swollen lymph nodes.

Although any of these symptoms may be caused by conditions other than breast cancer, if you present them, you should notify a health professional so that he (or she) finds the cause.

Because mammograms do not detect all breast cancers, it is important that you be aware of changes in your breasts and know the signs and symptoms of this cancer.

Treatment of breast cancer according to its stage:

The stage or stage (extent) of breast cancer is an important factor in making decisions about your treatment options. In general, the more breast cancer has spread, the more treatment you will probably need. However, other factors may also be important, such as:

  • If the cancer cells contain hormonal receptors (that is if the cancer is ER-positive or PR positive)
  • If cancer cells have large amounts of the HER2 protein (that is if the cancer is HER2 positive)
  • Your general health and personal preferences
  • If you have gone through menopause or not
  • How quickly cancer grows (measured by grade or other measures)

Ask your doctor about how these factors can affect your treatment options.


Stage 0:


Stage 0 means that the cancer is limited inside the milk duct and is non-invasive cancer. The treatment methods for these non-invasive breast tumors are often different from the treatment for invasive breast cancer. Stage 0 breast tumors include ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) used to be classified as stage 0, but this has changed, since it is not cancer, but it indicates an increased risk of breast cancer. For more information on LCIS, see Non-cancerous breast conditions.

Stages I to III


Treatment for breast cancer in stages I through III usually includes radiation therapy and surgery, often with chemotherapy or other drug treatments before or after surgery.

Stage I: These breast cancers are still relatively small and have not spread to the lymph nodes (N0) or there is only a tiny area of spread of cancer in the sentinel lymph node (the first lymph node to which cancer probably spread ).

Stage II: These breast cancers are larger than stage I cancers and/or have spread to a few adjacent lymph nodes.

Stage III: These tumors are larger or are growing into adjacent tissues (the skin over the breast or the muscle underneath), or have spread to many adjacent lymph nodes.

Stage IV (breast cancer with metastasis)

Stage IV cancers have spread beyond the breast and adjacent lymph nodes to other parts of the body. Typically, treatment for stage IV breast cancer consists of systemic therapy (medication).

Inflammatory breast cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) may be stage III or IV, depending on whether it has spread to other parts of the body. IBC treatment may include chemotherapy or other systemic therapies, local treatments, such as radiation and surgery.

Recurrent Breast Cancer

Cancer is called recurrent when it reappears after treatment. The recurrence can be local (in the same breast or in the scar of surgery), regional (in the nearby lymph nodes) or in a distant area. The treatment of recurrent breast cancer depends on where you recur and what treatments you have previously received.

Triple-negative breast cancer

Breast cancer cells that are triple-negative do not contain estrogen or progesterone receptors. Nor do they have excess HER2 protein. Triple-negative breast cancer grows and spreads more rapidly than most other types of breast cancer. Because cancer cells do not have hormonal receptors, hormonal therapy is not useful in the treatment of these cancers. Nor are medicines that target HER2 protein useful, as these cancers do not have excess HER2. Chemotherapy is usually a conventional treatment.

An immunotherapy drug, atezolizumab (Tecentriq), has been approved for use together with the chemotherapy drug, albumin-linked paclitaxel (Abraxane), for people with advanced triple-negative breast cancer whose tumor produces PD-L1 protein.

Because there are not many treatments for this type of breast cancer, if your health is otherwise good, you may consider participating in a clinical trial that evaluates a newer treatment.
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Wednesday, July 24, 2019

July 24, 2019

Mucinous carcinoma of the breast

Mucinous carcinoma of the breast

Mucinous carcinoma of the breast


 Mucinous carcinoma of the breast, sometimes called colloid carcinoma, is a rare form of invasive ductal carcinoma (cancer that begins within the dairy duct and spreads outside of it). Mucinous carcinoma of the breast accounts for about 2-3% of all cases of breast cancer. In this type of cancer, the tumor is formed from abnormal cells that "float" in accumulations of mucin, one of the main components of the slippery viscous substance known as mucus.
Commonly, this mucus covers most of the internal surfaces of the human body, including the digestive tract, the lungs, the liver, and other vital organs. Many types of cancer cells (including most breast cancer cells) produce this mucus. However, in mucinous carcinoma, mucus becomes a major part of the tumor and surrounds breast cancer cells.
Mucinous carcinoma usually affects postmenopausal women. Some studies indicate that the average age at diagnosis is 60 years or more.
Mucinous carcinoma is less likely to spread to lymph nodes than other types of breast cancer. It is also easier to treat.

Symptoms and diagnosis of mucinous carcinoma of the breast : 


In this section, you can read about the symptoms of mucinous carcinoma and the different methods available to diagnose it.



Signs and symptoms

Like other types of breast cancer, mucinous carcinoma of the breast may not cause any symptoms at first. Over time, a lump may be large enough to be palpated during self-examination or examination by the doctor. Tumors usually measure between 1 cm and 5 cm.


Diagnosis:


The diagnosis of mucinous carcinoma usually involves a series of steps:


A physical examination of the breasts. The doctor can feel the lump in the breast or you can feel it yourself during a self-examination.

A mammogram to locate the tumor and look for signs of cancer in other areas of the breast. Mammography may detect a mucinous carcinoma, but it usually appears as a benign (non-cancerous) breast lump. Mucinous carcinoma has well-defined borders and exerts pressure against healthy surrounding breast tissue, but does not invade it (it does not multiply inside).

An ultrasound uses sound waves to obtain images of breast tissue.
An MRI obtains more images of the breasts and detects the presence of cancer in other areas.

A biopsy involves making a small incision and removing the entire tumor or using a special needle to remove tissue samples from the potentially affected area with a microscope. A biopsy is a key to an accurate diagnosis since diagnostic imaging tests alone do not distinguish mucinous carcinoma from other types of breast cancer or from benign breast lumps.



When the pathologist examines the tissue with a microscope, he looks for small clusters of tumor cells that seem to "float" in mucin accumulations. The tumor may be formed primarily of mucin or may be formed primarily of cancer cells separated by small amounts of mucin.

Mucinous carcinoma can also be found near other types of breast cancer more common or combined with them. Occasionally, an in situ ductal carcinoma (DCIS, cancer that has not spread outside the milk duct) is found near the mucinous carcinoma. A mucinous carcinoma may also have some areas inside that contain invasive ductal carcinoma cells. If invasive ductal carcinoma cells form more than 10% of the tumor, the cancer is known as "mixed" mucinous carcinoma. Mucinous carcinoma is "pure" when at least 90% of the cells are mucinous.

As with other rare cancer subtypes, the diagnosis of mucinous carcinoma requires specific expertise. It is convenient that you seek a second opinion if you receive this diagnosis.



Pure mucinous carcinoma has other key features:

Positive hormone receptors: research indicates that pure mucinous carcinoma has positive estrogen receptors in 90-100% of cases and positive progesterone receptors in 50-68% of cases.
HER2 negative: Mucinous carcinoma usually has HER2 / neu negative protein receptors.
Negative lymph nodes: Pure mucinous carcinoma rarely spreads to the lymph nodes, especially if the tumor is 1-2 cm or less. In the case of larger tumors, there may be spread to the lymph nodes. Occasionally, lymph node cancer indicates that the tumor is actually a mixed mucinous carcinoma, with the presence of invasive ductal carcinoma cells...

Treatment for mucinous carcinoma of the breast:


You and your doctor should work together to agree on a treatment plan for mucinous carcinoma of the breast. Pure mucinous carcinoma is easier to treat than invasive ductal carcinoma, so it does not require so much treatment, especially if the tumor is small and cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes.

The plan may include:

Surgery to remove cancer and the affected lymph nodes. The following are possible procedures:


Lumpectomy: The surgeon removes only the part of the breast that has the tumor and some of the normal tissue that surrounds it. The doctor can also remove some of the lymph nodes.

Simple or total mastectomy: removal of the breast without removing the axillary lymph nodes. A sentinel lymph node biopsy is performed to analyze the node or nodes near the tumor for signs of cancer spread.

Modified radical mastectomy: surgery that aims to remove the breast, the lining of the chest wall and part of the axillary lymph nodes. Because pure mucinous carcinoma usually does not spread outside the original tumor, this type of mastectomy is not very common.
Adjuvant (additional) therapy, such as hormone therapy or chemotherapy.

Hormone therapy involves the administration of medications, such as tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor, that block the effects of estrogen or reduce the concentration of estrogen in the body. Almost all mucinous carcinomas have positive estrogen receptors, so hormone therapy is very likely to be effective. Adjuvant hormone therapy is given to reduce the risk of cancer coming back.
Chemotherapy involves the administration of anticancer drugs in the form of tablets or directly through a vein. Medications are distributed to all parts of the body through the bloodstream. The main objective is to destroy cancer cells that could have spread from the original tumor. At present, it is still discussed whether additional treatment is really necessary in cases of pure mucinous carcinoma.

Many doctors make recommendations on adjuvant therapy for tubular carcinoma based on the size of the tumor and whether or not there are signs of cancer in the lymph nodes. Keep in mind that each doctor may have a different opinion about whether or not an additional treatment for mucinous carcinoma. Below are some general guidelines.


If the tumor size is less than 1 cm, without the presence of cancer cells or with a very small amount of them in a lymph node: Hormone therapy may be used, but no other treatment is needed after surgery.
If the size of the tumor is 1 to 2.9 cm, without the presence of cancer cells or with a very small amount of them in a lymph node: chemotherapy can be contemplated in combination with hormone therapy.
If the tumor size is 3 cm or larger and there is spread to the lymph nodes: chemotherapy is recommended in most cases, in combination with hormone therapy.

You can analyze with your doctor all the risks and benefits of performing another treatment in addition to surgery. The final decision will depend on what you and your doctor consider best for your case.

Most mucinous carcinomas have negative HER2 / neu protein receptors, so they are not usually treated with Herceptin (generic name: trastuzumab). However, be sure to confirm with your doctor if this medication (which acts on HER2 receptors) is recommended for your case.

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