About Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer is a condition when cells in the breast tissues grow out of control. Any area of the breasts may experience this uncontrollable breast cell growth. Although it primarily affects women, breast cancer can also affect men. In India, it ranks as the second biggest cause of death for women.

Breast Cancer can be either benign or malignant. Slow-growing benign tumors don't spread to surrounding tissues or cells. If left untreated and unregulated, the second type of breast cancer has the potential to spread to other body areas. They spread out swiftly.

Depending on the specific location of the breast where the unchecked cell growth has occurred, there are many forms of breast cancer.

Following are the list of Common Breast Cancer Types:-

  • Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)  - DCIS, a type of non-invasive breast cancer that originates in the milk ducts and hasn't progressed to any of the healthy tissues around it, raises the risk of developing invasive breast cancer even if it is not life-threatening.
  • Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC) - In invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), cancer invades the breast tissues after rupturing the lobule's protective wall.
  • Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS) - When the abnormal cells begin to grow in the milk-producing lobules and do not spread to neighboring tissues, it is referred to as lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). It makes invasive breast cancer more likely to strike a person later in life.
  • Inflammatory Breast Cancer - Inflammatory breast cancer is an extremely rare and dangerous condition in which cancer cells obstruct lymphatic capillaries in the breast's surface. With this kind, the breasts frequently appear puffy, red, or inflamed. Breast cancer that is inflamed has a tendency to spread quickly, frequently in a matter of weeks or months.
  • Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) - About 80% of breast cancer cases are invasive ductal carcinomas (IDC), which are a fairly frequent kind of breast cancer. In this form, the milk duct's wall is breached by the cancer, which then spreads to the tissues around the breast. If not treated in a timely manner, it may spread to the lymph nodes. There are five different types of IDCs:
    • Tubular – The tumor is made up of tube-shaped structures called tubules.
    • Mucinous – The tumor is a soft, fleshy mass that resembles the medulla.
    • Papillary – The tumor is made up of cells that float in pools of mucin which is a key ingredient in mucus.
    • Cribriform – The tumor has a well-defined border and is made up of small, finger-like projections.
    • Medullary – The tumor has distinctive holes in between the cancer cells which make it look like Swiss cheese. In ICC the cells look and behave like normal, healthy breast cells.

Stages of Cancer Progression:

Breast cancer is best classified in terms of medical jargon as Stage 0, Stage 1, Stage II, Stage III, and Stage IV. Breast cancer that is in its infancy and is classified as stage 0 is non-invasive. Breasts included, there are no indications of either malignant or non-cancerous aberrant cells.

Stage I - Breast Cancer

Stage I refers to the early stages of cancer when the breasts have begun to develop cancer cells but they have not yet spread to other body parts. In this stage, lymph nodes are typically unaffected.

Stage II - Breast Cancer

When cancer spreads to the lymph nodes but there is no tumor, the condition is said to be in stage II. The tumor in this instance is typically 2 cm in size. The tumor may be over 2 centimeters in size, but it is undoubtedly under 5 cm.

Stage III - Breast Cancer

Breast cancer in stage III is referred to be invasive. In this instance, the tumor is larger than 5 cm. Four to nine axillary lymph nodes close to the breastbone are where malignancy is found.

Stage IV - Breast Cancer

Stage IV is the terminal stage, when the cancer has gone to the brain, liver, lungs, skin, and lymph nodes in addition to the breast. For Stage IV, the terms "metastatic" or "advanced" are employed. Recurrence of prior breast cancer or a new case of the disease are both possibilities for stage IV cancer.

Symptoms

A woman may have breast cancer if she notices any of the disease's evident signs and symptoms. Patients might not recognize all of the symptoms, which is why early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer are crucial. Screening should be done every two years to be sure there are no signs of the disease.

The following are a few breast cancer and cell abnormality symptoms that need to be looked at, assessed, and found as soon as possible:

  • A big bulge from the breastfeeding.
  • The breast skin has developed dimples or the breast cells have deciphered.
  • The breasts have recently changed in size and shape.
  • The breast location has reversed.
  • Pimples or discoloration on the eyebrow to start growing.
  • Fluid release from the nipples is irregular.
  • Your brow may feel lumpy or swollen.
  • The breasts are in abnormal agony or distress that won't go away.

Risk Factor

According to doctors, breast cancer arises when some breast cells grow abnormally. These cells divide more quickly than healthy cells do, which results in the formation of a lump or mass. The lymph nodes or other areas of your body could become infected by breast cancer cells (metastasize).

The most frequent cause of breast cancer is cells in the milk-producing ducts (invasive ductal carcinoma). Breast cancer can begin in various cells or tissues within the breast, including the glandular tissue known as lobules (invasive lobular carcinoma).

Research suggests that hormones, way of life, and environmental variables are all associated with a higher risk of breast cancer.

The following factors have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer:

  • Being a woman.
  • Growing Older.
  • Previous breast conditions.
  • A history of breast cancer in the family.
  • Obesity.
  • Radiation Intake.
  • Hormone therapy for postmenopausal women.
  • Drinking too much alcohol.

Investigations

Breast Cancer is typically identified by a physical examination. The subsequent tests may be suggested by doctors when symptoms are present:

1. Mammogram.

2. Biopsy.

3. Breast Imaging.

4. Ultrasound of Lymph Nodes .

5. Blood Exams.

6. MRI breast scans.

Procedure India Turkey Dubai
(Price in USD) (Price in USD) (Price in USD)
Chemotherapy 2200 1,500 2010-2680
Breast Cancer-Surgical 3500 8,500 12180-17020
Modified Radical Mastectomy 3500-5500 8,500 15250-15430
Breast Reconstruction with muscle skin flap 3500-5500 5,100 15250-15430
Breast Biopsy 450-750 1,000 163-326
Mastectomy 3500-5500 4,500 15250-15430

Note : This is an approximate cost and may vary depending on various condition of the patient health after physical evaluation. 

Treatment Options

Side Effects

  • Fatigue.
  • Shoulder Stiffness.
  • Numbness and Tingling.
  • Seroma.
  • Lymphoedema.
  • Cording.

 

Benefits

Success Rate

The survival rate depends on the stage of cancer you are diagnosed with. The 5-year survival rate associated with different stages include the following: 

  • Stage 0: 100%
  • Stage 1: 100%
  • Stage 2: 93%
  • Stage 3: 72%
  • Stage 4: 22%