3 Ways to Tell if You Have Breast Cancer - wikiHow. The first signs of breast cancer: how to identify the disease at an early stage and what to do next Identify breast cancer in women

The disease of the mammary glands accounts for most of the identified oncological pathology. Every tenth woman aged 20 to 90 is affected. The question of how to recognize breast cancer at an early stage is relevant all over the world. After all, the earlier therapy is started, the more optimistic the prognosis is.

The uncontrolled growth of altered cells in the breast that can invade and infect other organs is called breast cancer (BC). The five-year survival rate in the treated oncological process is 85%. About a million deaths from breast disease are recorded annually. Causes of breast cancer:

• hereditary predisposition;
• breast trauma;
• hormonal imbalance in the body;
• lack of breastfeeding;
• smoking;
• influence of the radiation background of the environment.

It is impossible to find out the exact reason. Scientists at the University of California Berkeley conducted a series of studies. They proved that the disease occurs much more often in people infected with the leukemia virus.

Symptoms

There are often no early signs of breast cancer. At this stage, the size of the formation is less than 2 cm in diameter, there is no germination into the glandular tissue, and there are no metastases. A woman is only concerned about general symptoms: swelling, pulling pains in the armpits, increased sensitivity of the diseased organ.

The first symptoms of breast cancer appear with the growth of the seal. They masquerade as an inflammation clinic. Complaints are associated with a change in the structure of healthy cells to pathological ones, infringement of nerve endings, as well as metastasis. There are feelings:

• pain;
• burning sensation;
• bursting;
• swelling;
• peeling of the nipple.

The process is one-sided. A woman can indicate a specific place that worries her.

When you press the area of ​​the areola of the nipple, a white, cloudy or bloody discharge appears. To the touch, the formation is shapeless, dense, inactive. Noticeable asymmetry of the nipples. Wrinkling of one breast, retraction of the nipple draws attention. This distinguishes benign growth from cancerous growth. Benign formations contain a capsule, do not grow deep into the tissues. As they grow, they simply push the tissues apart. In the early stages, metastasis to other organs and lymph nodes is absent. With systematic observation, tumor growth is noted.

In the future, ulceration of the nipple appears. This is a sign of the transition of the cancer process to the second stage. Metastases appear. The axillary lymph nodes are the first to be affected.

Diagnostic methods

Breast self-examination is the first step in the examination. If, when feeling before menstruation, a seal is determined that does not disappear after the end of menstruation, you should immediately consult a doctor. Diagnosis should be comprehensive.

Scheduled examination by a mammologist is carried out once a year. You need to visit a doctor from the 5th to the 9th day of the menstrual cycle. This period is characterized by the absence of hormonal influence on the breast. With regular visits to the mammologist, changes can be detected in the early stages. Diagnosis of breast cancer includes:

The tumor is the size of a pea, impossible to detect only with manual control. But in a year, it can go into an advanced stage of cancer.

What is mammography

Every year, starting at the age of 40, the “gold standard” for examining a woman is mammography. It will not harm the body. This is a screening method for detecting pathology. The information content of the method is more than 90%.

Mammography is an x-ray examination of the breast. With cancer of the initial stage, a seal shadow is revealed. A one-year survey interval is sufficient to catch changes at an early stage.

The resolution of an X-ray image reveals a neoplasm before the appearance of clinical signs. It is not recommended during pregnancy and lactation.

Why is an ultrasound performed?

If there are complaints about discomfort in the breast up to 40 years, ultrasound diagnostics is performed. Young people are more sensitive to ultrasonic radiation.

If abnormalities are found on the x-ray, an ultrasound examination is performed. A cyst can be mistaken for a tumor. Ultrasound determines the structure of the seal, the presence inside the cavity, the state of regional lymph nodes. Modern devices allow you to accurately determine the nature of the changes.

Sometimes intravenous administration of contrast agents is used. Contrasting establishes the nature of blood circulation in the affected area.

Ultrasound is performed lying down. Hands are placed behind the head. In reproductive age, it is best to carry out immediately after the end of menstruation. But if cancer is suspected, the procedure is performed immediately. Waiting a whole month is unacceptable. Lost time can cost the patient's life.

What tumor markers are studied

The main marker of pathological activity, which is detected at the initial stage of breast cancer, is cancer antigen 15-3 (cancer antigen 15-3). In 20% of cases, at the initial stages of the disease, its increase is noted. It is a specific marker for a primary malignant neoplasm. The normal value in the blood is up to 27 U / ml.

The cancer antigen CA 27-29 sensitivity is not high enough. It also increases with other pathologies (ovarian cysts, endometriosis, lung disease). Its norm is considered to be up to 40 U / ml. Has diagnostic value only with CA 15-3.

Cancer-embryonic antigen (CEA) after birth is practically not detected in the blood. Its norm does not exceed 5 ng / ml. In the presence of oncology, the indicators increase to 10 ng / ml and above.

Tumor markers have no independent diagnostic value and are not used for screening purposes. They are appointed only with a comprehensive examination. Without visual detection, tumors are not an absolute indicator of the presence of oncology.

I would like to note that during the treatment of the oncological process, the indicators of oncomarkers increase at first. This is due to the death of altered cells. This means that the therapy has a positive result. Oncological activity markers are used to monitor ongoing treatment.

What is tomography for?

Computed tomography of the chest is prescribed when changes are detected to confirm or refute the diagnosis - cancer. It shows the formation in a three-dimensional image, determine the cohesion with the surrounding tissues and the degree of penetration into other organs. Tomography is only an auxiliary method of examination necessary to determine the treatment plan.

Neoplasm biopsy

Any identified neoplasm requires a biopsy to determine malignancy. A fine-needle biopsy is performed in a hospital under the control of an ultrasound machine using a sterile fine needle. It is a procedure for taking cells from a seal for microscopic examination. The most accurate method for recognizing a malignant process. Allows you to identify the type of tumor and determine the amount of treatment.

Immunohistochemical study of cancer cells allows you to establish the dependence of the process on the hormonal background, perceiving the ability to drugs. Solves the issue of prescribing hormonal therapy during the recovery period.

Treatment

A malignant process at an early stage is treated with surgery. Most often, the tumor is excised within healthy tissues - sectoral resection. This is an organ-preserving operation.

In some cases, when the process affects the thickness of the breast, it is necessary to remove one breast - a radical mastectomy.

The mammary gland is a hormonally dependent organ. The main influence is exerted by the hormone estrogen. It brings the glandular tissue into activity. In order to suppress hormones, a course of antiestrogenic drugs (fareston, tamoxifen) is carried out according to the scheme prescribed by the doctor. The choice of drugs is carried out individually.

At an early stage of a malignant neoplasm, there are no metastases. Chemotherapeutic treatment and radiation therapy are most often not carried out. But the type of tumor matters a lot. Depending on the histological definition of the structure of cancer cells, the doctor prescribes additional treatment.

Timely therapy is the key to a favorable prognosis. In 80% of cases, patients recover completely.

Prevention

Breast self-examination plays an important role. It is necessary to feel the thickness of the gland centimeter by centimeter in front of the mirror every month. You should not feel bumps and compacted areas.

In reproductive age, the procedure is carried out after the end of menstruation, during menopause - you can choose any day. If you find seals, you should immediately consult a doctor. For delay, you can pay with your health. Timely recognized malignant growth increases the chances of recovery.

The recovery period after the treatment of the malignant process is long. A woman must realize that cancer is not a death sentence. The first priority is to follow the recommendations of the doctor. The chances of recovery are high. And the problem of the appearance of the breast will be solved by reconstructive surgery.

It is advisable for every woman to have an idea of ​​the main symptoms that accompany the emergence and development of this malignant neoplasm.

After all, not only the success of the upcoming therapy, but also the life of a person depends on how timely the signs of the disease are detected and measures are taken for its treatment.

The localization of oncological processes in women in the area of ​​​​the mammary glands is most common. After the transition from a benign to a malignant form, neoplasms in the mammary gland fundamentally change the nature of their behavior and the dynamics of development.

The disease acquires a pronounced aggressive direction and, in the absence of timely surgical intervention, gives a clear negative prognosis. Information about cases of recovery in the absence of necessary medical care is sporadic and extremely unreliable.

Symptoms

In the process of its development and progression, oncological diseases of the breast go through certain stages. They are distinguished depending on changes in the following main parameters:

• tumor size;
• degree of damage to the lymph nodes;
• appearance of distant metastases.

The accepted classification by stages is very conditional, being largely dependent on the form of the disease. In addition, since information about the causes of oncological processes is still at the level of hypotheses and assumptions, the forecast of the dynamics of the transition from one stage of the disease to another is still very approximate.

precancerous stage

It is also called zero. Its characteristic feature in terms of signs of the disease is the complete absence of symptoms. That is, the active pathological degeneration of tissues has not yet begun, but the overall balance of the body has already shifted towards the disease.

In cases where it is possible to diagnose oncological processes at this stage and take appropriate adequate measures, the treatment prognosis is the most favorable.

Conventionally, the zero stage can be classified into the following two categories:

The initial stage of the non-invasive oncological process, in which cancer cells do not yet interact with tissues located in their immediate vicinity. For example, it may be a type of adenocarcinoma of the mammary gland, in which the lesion affects only its individual lobes.

This category also includes a variant of atypical hyperplasia localized in individual ducts (or small groups of ducts) of the gland. However, in this case, the mutated cells, however, do not spread beyond the walls of the ducts and still do not have a detrimental effect on healthy tissues.

This category includes such stage of development of any neoplasm of unknown etiology, in which the process of onco-degeneration has not yet been diagnosed, but an increased level of tumor markers in the blood already gives the doctor grounds for oncological alertness and the appointment of an additional examination.

The risk group includes patients suffering from diseases such as mastitis, various forms of mastopathy, adenomas and fibroadenomas, calves, hyperthelia and other pathologies of the nipple, lipogranuloma and others.

In this category, all the sensations that can be felt and the manifestations that can be seen are not yet associated with the onset of the development of an oncological disease, but are only symptoms of pathologies that can create favorable conditions for the onset of a cancerous tumor.

Observed in some cases, weak pain syndromes of unexpressed localization, as a rule, are cyclical in nature and are caused by fluctuations in the general hormonal background.

The level of stability of the endocrine system and the degree of hormonal imbalance in a woman's body have a significant impact on the nature and dynamics of the further development of the disease.

1 stage

Starting with it, cancer cells become invasive in nature - that is, they acquire the ability to influence nearby healthy tissues.

Symptoms of the disease at this stage are often mild, however, having shown attentiveness, it is quite possible to notice some of them. These may include the following:

• An increase in the size of tumors (up to 2 cm in diameter). This value already allows you to easily detect them even with self-examination. In the case of the appearance of multiple seals or nodules, they may be of small size, however, as a rule, they are clearly contoured on palpation. Their distinguishing feature is painlessness and limited mobility.

A slight increase in regional lymph nodes of the axillary zone on the side of the neoplasms associated with increased activity in their work. After all, atypical cells that make up a cancerous tumor are characterized by accelerated metabolic processes, increased reproductive capacity and a shortened lifespan.

The influence of these factors creates an overload in the work of the lymphatic system, which may also provoke some swelling in the arm, shoulder, or chest.

• Partial retraction of the nipple with possible slight deformation- characteristic of Paget's disease, when the lesion is localized in the nipple.
• Reducing the diameter of the area of ​​pigmentation of the peripapillary region (areola) associated with changes in tissue trophism.
• Discharge from the nipple(usually light, with a yellowish tinge; may have bloody impurities) - typical in forms of cancer, when tumors form in the milk ducts.
• Minor irregularities in the shape of the breast- associated with the onset of pathological changes in the structure of its tissues.
• Slight increase in body temperature to subfebrile- caused by inflammatory processes in the affected tissues of a low level of intensity.
• Sharp unreasonable fluctuations in body weight(more often - weight loss), loss of appetite, depressed emotional state. The main reason for these symptoms is a violation of the hormonal balance in the body.
• General weakness, decreased ability to concentrate, increased fatigue- all these are manifestations of a symptom of intoxication.

Timely diagnosis and treatment of the disease at this stage of its development makes it possible not only to restore the woman's health, but also to save the mammary gland, thereby preserving the ability to breastfeed.

2 stage

It can manifest all the symptoms inherent in stage 1, only of a more pronounced nature. Features include the following:

• The size of individual tumors can already reach up to 5 cm in diameter. In the case of multiple seals or nodules, their number and size may increase.

Tissue retraction in the affected area observed visually, and is especially noticeable when slowly raising and lowering the hand. Changes in the skin (redness, roughness and roughness, loss of elasticity, wrinkling and remaining folds after palpation).

These symptoms are due to the activation of the process of cell degeneration, which caused atypical hyperplasia and an irreversible metabolic disorder in tissues.

A significant increase in the size of the regional lymph nodes of the axillary zone on the side of the neoplasms is possible. As a rule, they are already easily palpated. The pattern of subcutaneous venous vessels appears (or increases in clarity). There are no pronounced pains yet, but painful sensations of a aching nature may appear in the breast and axillary region.

The cause of these symptoms are significant overloads in the work of the lymphatic and venous systems, which served as the beginning of the development of irreversible pathologies in them.

3 stage

Starting from this stage, as a rule, it is already impossible to cure the patient, therefore, medical treatment provides only symptomatic therapy. In this case, the efforts of doctors have two main goals:

1. to slow down the rate of development of the disease as much as possible;
2. alleviate, as far as possible, the suffering of the patient.

At this stage of the disease, the severity of the symptoms of the previous stages increases. Features are as follows:

• Pains appear. They can be caused by severe swelling in the affected area and tissue compression, as well as the appearance of ulcers on the skin. The pains are monotonous and constant, as a rule, slowly and steadily intensifying. Temporary relief brings only the use of analgesics.
• The tumor is enlarged (more than 5 cm), showing pronounced invasive properties - the capture of adjacent tissues. In the case of multiple seals, they can be further enlarged and (or) further merged into a single whole.
• There are crusts on the nipple, and when they fall off, an ulcerated surface remains in their place - it is characteristic of an erysipelas-like form of cancer.
• The number of enlarged lymph nodes becomes even greater (up to 10), they become inflamed and painful.
• The deformity of the mammary gland is clearly expressed.
• Body temperature can rise significantly due to increased intoxication of the body and activation of inflammatory processes.

At this stage, the processes of metastasis are launched.

4 stage

This is the terminal stage. It is characterized by severe pain and metastases of both nearby and distant organs, bones, brain, etc.

Peculiarities:

• Tumors grow and capture the entire breast.
• The skin is covered with multiple ulcers, erosions, etc. - characteristic of the erysipelatous form.
• Inflammation covers the entire lymphatic system.

Treatment at this stage is exclusively symptomatic. The efforts of doctors are focused on alleviating the suffering of the patient.

Features of symptoms of various forms

• nodal- the most common form. The above consideration of symptoms by stages of the disease is especially characteristic of her.
• erysipelatous- this is an extremely aggressive form with a rapid pace of development and transition to the spread of metastases. It is characterized by high fever, severe pain, severe swelling of the chest and redness of the skin. Symptoms are atypical for oncological processes, which makes it difficult to make a correct diagnosis.
• Mastitis-like- according to signs it is similar to erysipelatous, but hyperemic skin has a bluish tint, and the gland itself is significantly limited in mobility. Diagnosis is difficult due to the significant similarity with mastopathy.
• Edema-infiltrative form accompanied by swelling of the breast (especially in the areola) and the effect of "lemon peel" on the skin. Characterized by the absence of clear boundaries of the tumor. Most often seen in young women. Has a poor prognosis.
• Paget's disease. It starts with a nipple injury. In the areola there is itching and burning. Outwardly, the first symptoms resemble eczema or psoriasis. The difference is in pronounced redness of the skin, followed by the appearance of crusts on it and further ulceration of the epithelium after they fall off. Having destroyed the nipple, the disease spreads to the entire breast.
• armored- a rare form, characterized by a long and sluggish development. Accompanied by the growth of a colony of cancerous nodules, outwardly resembling a shell. The skin is pigmented, thickened, loses elasticity. Progressing, the disease captures the second breast and passes to the entire chest.

Cancer (carcer) is a malignant formation, in other words, a tumor of a special type of pathology that develops very rapidly in the focus of the rudiment of atypical cells. A malignant cell tends to transmit information of development, growth and metastasis to other cells in the process of their regeneration. The occurrence of such a process can be observed at any point of a living organism.

Tumor in the mammary glands of a woman

The occurrence of malignant epithelioma in the mammary gland of a woman is the most common oncological disease today, which sooner or later leads to the death of the patient. Symptoms of breast cancer clinic in women are quite diverse in the early stages of the disease. Signs of breast cancer are characterized by its rapid onset and course, most often developing up to six months.

Neoplasms can be located unevenly in the mammary gland. These are malignant tumors that often affect the upper outer square of the breast, less often they occur in the upper inner part of the organ and very rarely in the lower sections. Sometimes cancer affects the areola.

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early cancer

It is possible to diagnose breast cancer in the early stages, since the tumor that has arisen is related to the visual forms of malignant tumors. Therefore, it is possible to palpate the tumor or examine it with instruments.

Early and small breast cancer is formed inside the duct or lobules of the mammary gland in the form of up to 1 cm and without metastases. In the presence of metastasis to the lymph nodes, small cancer is not considered early. Diagnosing an early form of cancer is very difficult. With the palpation method, small seals can be identified that are not reliably examined with mammography and ultrasound waves. To do this, they resort to a biopsy of the material of the mammary gland, followed by histology, and also try to find metastases.

Varieties of breast cancer are noted in three clinical forms:

1. nodal;
2. diffuse;
3. Paget's disease.

nodular form of cancer the most common pathology in breast cancer. Such a formation is located under the skin in the amount of 10-20 mm, which is easily palpable. In the case of a large node, it is clearly visible on the mammary gland, and these are the first signs of breast cancer. Cancer nodes are dense and do not have clear boundaries, so they are poorly separated from the surrounding tissue. With the rapid growth of such a tumor, tuberous nodes begin to grow on the surface of the chest and open on the skin in the form of a bleeding ulcer. Over time, the tumor decays and the smell of rot appears. This process of necrosis can expand and deepen to the bones of the chest. As a result, patients experience severe pain and infection, leading to a terminal state of the body.

Diffuse form of cancer It looks like an infiltrate that diffusely affects the entire organ or its segment. Tumor infiltration has several types, and these are erysipelas, armored, edematous and mastitis. Infiltrate of such species without clear boundaries and dense consistency. The chest, at the same time, increases, swells, turns red, the temperature rises. With an erysipelas-like tumor, the mammary gland looks with a characteristic hyperemic inflammation and with a sheen of the skin. The mastitis form covers all glandular breast tissue and skin, followed by their necrosis. The type of "lemon peel" is acquired by the mammary gland with an edematous form of malignant infiltration. If the breast is visually deformed, reduced in size and with an inverted nipple, then we are talking about damage to the tissue and subcutaneous tissue by infiltrative nodes of the shell-like form of cancer. With the rapid development of such a tumor, the entire surface of the thoracic region is affected, the skin of which is covered with a large number of pinkish nodular infiltrates.

The development of these forms of cancer proceeds quite quickly with the spread of metastases to regional lymph nodes.

Breast nipple cancer (Paget's disease) . Compared with other forms of breast malignant tumors in women, it occurs much less frequently and develops for a long time. The first symptoms of a tumor appear as scales on or around the nipple. Such delaminations can be observed in dry and wet form. The breast nipple begins to slowly retract, and the increasing dense infiltrative formation gradually grows into the subcutaneous tissue of the breast and metastasizes to the lymph nodes.

In a histological study of nodular and diffuse breast cancer in a woman, the tumor is often represented by hard tissue, nodular, granular, with cords, as well as with the presence of mucus and colloid inside the infiltrates.

Metastases in breast cancer

The progression of malignant formation occurs through the spread of metastases to the vessels of the body, which spread throughout the body in search of a new focus of cancer development. These vessels are the circulatory and lymphatic systems. In the mammary gland, lymph is drained through two plexuses. According to one, the lymph is discharged from the subcutaneous tissue and skin, and according to another, deep, from the glandular tissue of the mammary organ. The outflow of lymph flows into the axillary and parasternal lymph nodes. The defeat of these lymph nodes by metastases is expressed by their increase and soreness. The path of metastasis does not end there, further an atypical process is observed in the subclavian, cervical and subscapular lymphatic vessels. Through the parasternal lymph flow, metastases enter the liver and the parenchymal tissue is damaged by a cancerous tumor.

Symptoms of breast cancer can be noticed by the presence of a large number of lymph nodes on the skin of the breast. They are mobile and often do not cause pain.

With the help of the circulatory system, cancer also spreads its metastases and affects, at the same time, other organs. More often, with breast cancer, the bones, liver and lungs of women suffer. Symptoms of such lesions are expressed by pain that occurs during a night's rest.

Stages of breast cancer in a woman

In modern oncology, there are four stages of breast cancer. It is for this body that the system is defined TNM:

T– primary (primary) education. This category assesses the presence of a tumor and its size. For example, T0 means that the presence of a tumor is not determined. T1, T2, T3, T4- speaks of the size of the formation, from one to more than five centimeters, as well as visual symptoms of contouring and fixation to nearby tissues;

N- Distant lymph nodes. When the nodes of the lymphatic system are not palpable, then a category is distinguished from the classification N0. Data N1, N2, N3 indicate the displacement of the affected axillary and supraclavicular lymph nodes, as well as their metastaticity. If, during the examination of a woman, the data on the state of the lymph nodes are doubtful, then the category is set Nx;

M– detection of metastases in distant areas. If present, indicate the category M1 and if in doubt, Mx, and if distant metastases are not detected, then М0.

According to the grouping of such indicators, which are set according to the symptoms of an external examination of a woman and after an accurate diagnosis is confirmed, the stage of tumor development is determined. The first two are set according to the specified data: T1-T2, N0, N1 and M0. With the increase of these categories, the third and most dangerous, fourth stage of cancer is determined.

Malignant cells can form in all organs of the human body. The most common cancer in women is breast cancer. That is why ultrasound diagnostics and mammography are included in the list of mandatory studies during a preventive examination. If a neoplasm is suspected, taking into account the patient's complaints, the doctor prescribes appropriate tests to make an accurate diagnosis. Breast cancer occurs in both women and men.

Causes

• Hormonal changes:
  • early onset of the menstrual cycle,
  • late menopause,
  • late birth of the first child,
  • nulliparous women,
  • multiple miscarriages or abortions,
  • long-term use of hormonal drugs (hormone replacement therapy or contraceptives).
• Heredity (malignant tumor of the mammary glands or ovaries in the closest relatives).
• At risk are women suffering from the following diseases:
  • mastitis,
  • fibroadenoma,
  • mastopathy.

Forms

Depending on its localization and methods of spread, breast cancer is divided into:

• diffuse form (there are several types: edematous, erysipelas, armored and mastitis);
• Paget's cancer.

The most common type of cancer is the nodular form. A lump or hardening is palpated under the skin. This dense formation has no clear boundaries and is not separated from the surrounding tissues. As the compaction develops, disintegration may occur with the appearance of an ulcer and its opening to the surface of the skin. The ulcer looks like a normal inflammation, but it does not heal for a long time, it does not respond well to local treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs. An infection can join the wound site, while the body temperature rises, signs of intoxication appear. A tumor of the breast can grow deep, reaching the ribs and sternum.

With a tumor of a diffuse form, the focus is large, often occupies a segment of the mammary gland or the entire breast. At the same time, a large lump is palpated in the chest. Seals do not have clear boundaries, soldered to the surrounding tissue. Outwardly, changes appear on the chest, similar to erysipelas - the chest becomes swollen, reddens, body temperature rises. For a malignant tumor with an edematous variant, a change in the skin like a lemon peel is characteristic. With a decrease in breast size and retraction of the nipple, they speak of an armored form of cancer. This type of cancer metastasizes rapidly.

The third type of tumor is Paget's cancer. With this type of cancer, a neoplasm appears near the nipple of the breast. This type of tumor grows slowly and is less common than other types of cancer. At the beginning of the disease, small scales form near the nipple. Then the nipple is retracted, inflammation may occur around it. The lump grows deep into the gland with the development of regional or distant metastases.

Classification

Modern oncology provides for the division of cancer into 4 stages depending on the size of the tumor:

• at stage T1, the size of the tumor does not exceed 2 cm, the tumor does not extend beyond the tissue;
• stage T2 is characterized by a focus size of up to 5 cm;
• at stage 3, the size of the tumor exceeds 5 cm;
• in stage T4, the formation spreads beyond the borders of the mammary gland, grows into other tissues.

The letter N in the classification means the presence of metastases in the lymph nodes.

• N0 - there are no metastases in the lymph nodes.
• N1 - metastases are detected in the axillary region, they are not soldered to each other, one or two lymph nodes are affected.
• At stage N2, lymph nodes of the axillary region are soldered together.
• Stage N3 is established when enlarged internal lymph nodes of the mammary gland are detected. The appearance of metastases in the lymph nodes is detected at stage 3 of the disease.

Stage 3 cancer can be manifested by distant metastases, which are indicated by the letter M. M0 - there are no distant metastases. M1 - there are distant metastases.

Cancer Symptoms

In the early stages, the tumor does not manifest itself in any way. The first signs of cancer are discovered by chance during a medical examination. You can detect seals on your own during palpation or a routine medical examination by a gynecologist, on an ultrasound scan, or on a mammogram. A seal found in the breasts of women should always be a concern for cancer.

Breast cancer shows its first symptoms often at an advanced stage.

• On examination, you can see the retraction of the nipple, discoloration of the skin, unevenness and tuberosity of the mammary gland, the appearance of redness and ulcers, discharge from the nipple.
• In the presence of regional metastases in stage 3, the axillary lymph nodes increase.
• Sometimes, on examination, you can see a dense path leading from the mammary gland to the axillary fossa.
• As the tumor spreads, general signs of intoxication appear - weakness, fatigue, weight loss.

Do breasts hurt with cancer? In the later stages, the glands begin to hurt. This is due to the fact that the process affects the nerves that innervate the mammary gland. The pain occurs pulling, can give to the arm or axillary region.

Palpation is carried out in the supine and standing position. To determine the benignity or malignancy of the tumor, surgeons use the symptom of the palm. If you put your hand on the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe mammary gland, then the malignant tumor will stick out and be felt under the fingers, then they talk about a positive symptom of the palm. A benign tumor is not felt when touched, then they talk about a negative symptom.

During ultrasound examination, seals are determined. The seal has an uneven fuzzy contour and increased blood flow. The focus can be identified by mammography. Doctors often prescribe both research methods to clarify the diagnosis. In the general blood test, the level of ESR rises, anemia occurs. To clarify the tumor process, a blood test is prescribed for a specific oncomarker CA 15-3. CEA and CA markers are considered less specific 27,29. Some oncologists believe that these tumor markers should be assessed collectively. A biopsy of a suspicious area of ​​tissue will help determine cancer.

How to conduct a self-examination

Self-examination helps in early diagnosis of the disease. Detection of a tumor at an early stage improves the prognosis for the patient.

Before starting the palpation, it is necessary to examine the chest. They must be of the same size, have no defects in the skin or nipples. The same must be done when raising your arms up above your head. If no changes are detected, proceed to palpation. To inspect the right heaps, the right hand is raised behind the head, and the palpation of the gland is carried out with the left hand. The palm is placed flat on the mammary gland and begin to gradually move in a spiral, feeling each area and determining if there are seals in the chest. Then you need to examine the nipple and areola area, make sure that there is no discharge. Then the same examination is carried out in the supine position. The examination is completed by palpation of the axillary lymph nodes.

Treatment

The tactics of managing a patient with a tumor depends on the stage of the disease. In the absence of metastases, surgical treatment is performed. Modern oncology involves a radical operation, which consists in the complete removal of the mammary gland with adipose tissue and axillary lymph nodes. With a large tumor size and germination in neighboring tissues, a radical mastectomy is performed in conjunction with the removal of the pectoral muscles and, sometimes, the ribs. With early detection of cancer at the initial stage, a sparing operation is possible - sectoral removal of the tumor site and axillary lymph nodes.

Radiation therapy is mandatory after any operation. Chemotherapy may be given before surgery to shrink the tumor, or after surgery to prevent metastasis. Usually spend several courses of such treatment. When distant metastases are detected, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are performed, which are supplemented with hormonal therapy. Supportive treatment and periodic examination of a woman with breast cancer is carried out for 5 years after surgery. The question of the methods of treatment for a particular patient is decided individually by the oncoconsilium.

The prognosis depends on the identified stage of the disease. In case of cancer of the initial stage without detected metastases, the prognosis is favorable. Timely surgery and radiation or chemotherapy can prolong the life of the patient and avoid relapse. The prognosis for breast cancer with metastases is uncertain. Only conservative therapy aimed at removing intoxication is possible.

Metastasis

Pathological cells enter other organs through the bodice and blood. This is usually characteristic of stage 3 and 4 cancer. The axillary lymph nodes are the first to be affected. Then the tumor spreads to the peristernal, subclavian, cervical and subscapular nodes. They become painful, increase in size, solder to the surrounding tissue. Distant metastases usually form in the liver, lungs, bones, and brain. With the appearance of metastases, the prognosis is unfavorable.

Prevention

It has long been known that an increase in blood estrogen leads to an increased risk of tumors. Their lowest activity is observed during pregnancy and lactation.

Independent or uncontrolled use of hormonal contraceptives also leads to a shift in the level of hormones in the blood and may contribute to the development of a tumor. In the period leading up to menopause and during the menopausal period, it is necessary to control the level of hormones in the blood in order to prevent the risk of disease.

Having a baby and breastfeeding is the best prevention of breast cancer!

Breast cancer often appears in nulliparous women over 30 years of age, especially those with unfavorable heredity for oncological diseases. This is the main risk group. During this period, an annual examination by a gynecologist is necessary with additional instrumental studies.

The main prevention of cancer is its early detection. An annual visit to a gynecologist and mammologist, an ultrasound of the mammary glands or mammography, and self-examination are necessary.

A malignant tumor of the mammary glands is a disease that consists in the formation of malignant tumors, the growth of which occurs quite rapidly. This disease is one of the most common and dangerous, because cases of death are common. Women over the age of 45 are most at risk.

How to determine breast cancer is a question that interests many women. To date, certain signs are known by which it is possible to independently identify cancerous growths in the breast. When in doubt, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. Mammologist deals with issues of cancer in women.

Reasons for the development of the disease

An oncological disease that affects the mammary gland of women can develop as a result of the following factors and causes:

Each factor poses a special danger, however, more attention is paid to the age of women. The older she is, the more likely it is that the oncological disease will declare itself.

What you need to pay attention to

How to recognize breast cancer at home? A question doctors hear almost every day. Having an idea about the first signs of the disease, it will not be difficult at all to detect a cancer in the gland while at home. You need to pay attention to the following symptoms:

In order to determine that a tumor has formed, an examination at home should be carried out in a bright room in front of a mirror. Only in a standing position will it be possible to carefully examine the chest and notice any non-specific changes in its structure.

In order to find out about the presence of education, you will also need to take into account the following information: the tumor can be located anywhere in the gland, while the lesion can spread to both breasts at the same time. If a tumor is located in one mammary gland, then in the second, the chance of metastasis formation increases significantly. During a home examination, you may feel a seal, the consistency of which will strongly resemble dough.

A cancerous tumor in most cases has a round shape, although its structure may be heterogeneous.

There are cases when the formation reached an incredibly large size, which greatly aggravated the treatment process.

In a medical setting, it is possible to diagnose cancer in women through the following procedures:

On the basis of the studies carried out, specialists establish the causes and type of the tumor, after which measures are taken regarding the further treatment of the disease.

How the disease develops

In order to diagnose such a pathology in time, it is important to understand how the disease manifests itself and develops. Experts point out that cancer in women can develop in 5 stages, which are characterized by their own characteristics:

0 stage. The tumor is localized in one place and does not grow into neighboring tissues. It is believed that at this stage the disease is effectively treated.

1 stage. In this segment, the formation is transformed from benign to malignant. But there is still no damage to the lymph nodes and neighboring tissues.

2 stage. The tumor begins to grow in diameter and begins to affect the lymph nodes.

3 stage. At this stage, not only breast tissue is affected, but also the lymph nodes of the chest. Very often manifested symptoms of stage 3 resemble the development of mastitis. However, these diseases should not be confused in any case.

4 stage. Spread of metastases in internal organs. First of all, the liver, lymph nodes and bones are affected. This stage is characterized by pronounced symptoms, which manifest themselves in a sharp deterioration in well-being and the presence of severe pain. Treatment at this stage is the most difficult and does not always achieve the desired effect.

This data will help a woman learn how to identify breast cancer. It is necessary to pay attention not only to the warning signs of the disease, but also to the signals that your body sends. With the manifestation of unusual symptoms and a sharp deterioration in health, you will need to seek help from a specialist.

prozhelezu.ru

Breast cancer - symptoms

Descriptions of the symptoms of breast cancer were found in ancient treatises. For thousands of years, until 1700, there was no information about the causes and methods of treatment of this terrible disease. In recent years, medicine has achieved very good results in the treatment of breast cancer, the main factors influencing the development of the disease have been established, and equipment for diagnosing breast cancer has also been improved, thanks to which the most effective course of treatment is prescribed. When symptoms of breast cancer appear, women have an increasing chance of curing the disease at different stages.

Causes of the disease

Causes of breast cancer may be due to genetic predisposition. That is, if a disease occurs in different generations in a family, then the risk of getting sick increases.

Age also affects the occurrence of breast cancer, but only in case of neglect of one's health for a long time (neglected chronic diseases, malnutrition for many years). So you need to take care of yourself, your beloved, all the time, and not just with the onset of symptoms of breast cancer, or another disease.

Studies show that abortion, late first birth, refusal to breastfeed a child can also cause breast cancer.

If you have identified the symptoms of breast cancer in yourself, do not rush to diagnose yourself. Consult your doctor, get tested. Perhaps the terrible diagnosis will not be confirmed, since some diseases may be identical with the first signs of breast cancer.

How to self-diagnose breast cancer?

Do regular self-examinations to help identify early signs of breast cancer or disorders that can lead to the disease. Every month, 6-10 days after menstruation, examine the condition of the chest, first with the arms lowered, then with the arms raised behind the head. Next, lie on your back, placing a roller under the shoulder blades, in a circular motion, consistently feel the chest and armpit. Repeat the examination while standing. Symptoms of breast cancer can be compaction, discharge from the nipples, redness or skin changes (inflammation, peeling, changes in shape - sagging, sinking). The mammary glands should be at the same level. There should be no rash on the nipples, changes in color and shape. Timely diagnosis will avoid many complications in the treatment of breast cancer.

How is breast cancer diagnosed clinically?

There are the following examination methods: palpation, X-ray, morphological and ultrasound methods. Together, they provide complete information that will help you correctly prescribe a course of treatment for breast cancer. If the diagnosis is not confirmed, be sure to establish the cause of the symptoms that bothered you.

Breast Cancer Treatment

There are several methods of treating breast cancer, which are prescribed depending on the stage, type of tumor, metastasis.

Lumpectomy - removal of pathological cells and tissue in small tumors.

Mastectomy is the removal of the breast.

Hormone therapy - prevents the formation of cancer cells after surgical treatment.

Radiation therapy - radiation therapy, also prescribed after surgery, to destroy the remaining cancer cells.

Most often, in order to achieve the best effect and prevent damage to other organs, a combined treatment of breast cancer is prescribed.

Disease prevention

Statistics show that breast cancer is most common in industrialized countries. The reason lies not only in ecology, but also in lifestyle changes. Therefore, for all women from 13 to 90 years old, breast cancer prevention plays an important role.

1. First of all, you need to carefully consider your diet - the diet must necessarily contain fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid carcinogenic foods - fatty, fried foods, foods containing dyes and other chemical additives.
2. Do not wear underwear that puts too much pressure on the chest and interferes with blood circulation.
3. Do not abuse alcohol.
4. If you are often under stress, then do not neglect relaxing exercises. Normalized loads should be combined with proper rest, both for the body and for the psyche.
5. Do not delay the treatment of diseases associated with the female genital organs.

Any disease is easier to prevent than to cure. Be mindful of your health, take care of yourself, and never lose hope. Progress does not stand still, technology improves every year. Medicine is also developing, offering more and more new methods of treatment and saving more and more lives.

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womanadvice.ru

How to identify breast cancer

There is not a single woman on the planet who would not worry to one degree or another about the condition of her breasts. Breast cancer is a fairly common oncological disease, dangerous, but curable. Timely diagnosis of the breast can help to avoid severe forms of cancer, which is not always possible to do. It’s good when you “know by sight” the main alarming symptoms, then there is a chance to have time to see a doctor faster than the disease begins to progress.

There was pain in the mammary gland or discomfort not associated with pregnancy - this should alert the female half first of all.

The breast changed its usual shape, swelled, decreased, became asymmetric - these symptoms may indicate the presence of a tumor in the breast.

The delicate skin of the mammary gland has acquired a certain wrinkling and began to resemble an orange peel - this symptomatology is a good reason for performing diagnostic measures for the condition of the breast.

Pronounced reddening of the mammary gland, especially in the form of convex or tongue-like irregularities, hyperemia plus high body temperature are dangerous signs of a malignant breast tumor in a particularly acute form.

Bloody discharge from the papilla appeared, its shape changed, it retracted, swelled or thickened, crusts, scales, erosion formed on it - a signal for decisive action towards the medical institution.

The lymph nodes in the armpit were greatly enlarged, infectious lymphadenitis was previously diagnosed - these may be signs of a latent (accult) form of breast cancer.

The skin over the mammary gland has acquired an uneven surface resembling a shell, the breast has decreased in size - important symptoms that may indicate the presence of oncology.

If you find at least one of the above symptoms, be adequate and urgently go for an examination to a mammologist. Modern medicine is quite successfully fighting such a serious oncological disease as breast cancer.

sovetclub.ru

Breast cancer: symptoms and signs in women. How to identify and how breast cancer manifests itself?

Breast cancer is a disease characterized by the development of malignant tumors in the glandular tissues of the female (or, in extremely rare cases, male) breasts.

What symptoms, signs or manifestations should alarm women, saying that it's time to sound the alarm?

How to detect the disease in its early stages? We will talk about this and many other things related to breast cancer and its connection with mastopathy in today's publication.

I must say that all over the world it is breast cancer in young or older women that is considered the most common form of cancer.

This form of cancer affects one in thirteen to one in nine women, ranging in age from thirteen to ninety.

Moreover, breast cancer, which affects even very young women, is considered the second most common disease after cancer that develops in the human lungs.

And since the structure of the breast of women and men is absolutely identical, a malignant tumor of the breast, in some cases, can develop in a man.

Although, cases of this particular type of cancer that affects a man today account for a little less than one percent of the total number of cancer patients.

A rather sharp increase in the total number of cases of development of malignant tumors of the breast in women is associated with the lifestyle of the entire population that has changed over the past decades.

In particular, we are talking about the fact that in modern families it has become customary to give birth to significantly fewer children than it used to be, that today the terms of full breastfeeding have been significantly reduced, and so on.

As a result, many of the women are faced with such primary diseases as lactostasis, mastitis, fibrocystic disease (mastopathy), etc. But it is these ailments that are considered responsible for the fact that after a certain period of time, cancer can develop in 7-10% of cases. breast disease.

In many ways, noticeable in recent years in most developed countries of the world, the increase in the number of cancer patients (including women with malignant breast tumors) is associated with an increase in the population of older people.

But the risk of developing such a pathology directly depends on the age of the patients. This dependence is shown in the table below.

And finally, it is impossible not to notice that breast cancer is considered a multifactorial disease, the emergence and development of which is directly associated with modifications of the cellular genome, which can usually occur under the influence of both purely external causes, and under the influence of hormones (or other internal factors).

The insidiousness of oncological diseases and, in particular, such an ailment as breast cancer, is that in the very early stages this disease, most often, is completely asymptomatic.

At the same time, both breasts of women remain symmetrical, the affected area looks quite natural, the disease does not cause the slightest pain or discomfort on these pores. It is incredibly difficult to detect a disease at this stage, especially if you do not pay due attention to your body (its health).

However, many patients can detect (or rather suspect) the development of a malignant neoplasm in the breast before the most dangerous signs and painful symptoms of the problem appear.

Often, women can identify the disease during self-examination of the breast, finding a small lump or lump in the thickness of its tissues. Sometimes the disease is detected during routine examinations at the gynecologist, during mammography or ultrasound examination of the breast.

Often, the first signs or symptoms of a formidable disease can be represented by the appearance of seals that do not disappear during the menstrual cycle directly in the armpit, above the collarbone, etc. Any woman should also be alerted by the following symptoms:

• The appearance of clear or bloody discharge from the chest, not related to pregnancy, breastfeeding.
• Sudden formation of retraction of the nipple.
• Any change in skin color or texture on a woman's breasts. It is very important to periodically examine, assessing how your breasts look, in a timely manner to pay attention to any of its modifications (in shape, color, density).

What do doctors consider the most obvious alarm signals?

In order to recognize the problem in a timely manner, it is necessary to know exactly how, most often, the disease manifests itself, what are its most frequently noticed signs.