Breast Carcinoma
Luminal-A/ Luminal-B/ Her-2 Positive/ TNBCC
Overview
Breast cancer arises from uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the breast tissue, usually beginning in the ducts (ductal carcinoma) or lobules (lobular carcinoma). It is the most common cancer in women worldwide and also affects men (though rare, <1% of cases). Subtypes include hormone receptor positive (ER/PR+), HER2-positive, and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
Breast cancer arises from uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the breast tissue, usually beginning in the ducts (ductal carcinoma) or lobules (lobular carcinoma). It is the most common cancer in women worldwide and also affects men (though rare, <1% of cases). Subtypes include hormone receptor positive (ER/PR+), HER2-positive, and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
Causes & Risk Factors
Known Causes
Breast cancer develops due to genetic mutations that disrupt cell growth regulation. Known causes include: - Genetic alterations (BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, etc.) - Hormonal influence (estrogen/progesterone exposure) - Radiation exposure - Family history of breast cancer
Risk Factors
Symptoms & Early Signs
Early Warning Signs
- New lump in breast or underarm - Change in breast size or shape - Nipple discharge (bloody or clear) - Retraction or inversion of nipple - Skin dimpling or thickening (peau d’orange) - Redness or scaling of breast or nipple skin - Persistent breast pain or tenderness
Common Symptoms
Diagnosis
- Clinical breast examination - Mammography (screening and diagnostic) - Breast ultrasound (especially useful in younger women) - Breast MRI (for high-risk patients or ambiguous cases) - Biopsy (core needle, excisional, or fine needle aspiration) - Immunohistochemistry for ER, PR, HER2, Ki-67 - Genetic testing for BRCA and other high-risk mutations
Staging Information
Breast cancer staging uses the TNM system: - Stage 0: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), non-invasive - Stage I: Small tumor, confined to breast, no/limited nodal spread - Stage II: Larger tumor or spread to nearby lymph nodes - Stage III: Locally advanced, extensive nodal involvement or chest wall/skin invasion - Stage IV: Distant metastasis (bone, liver, lung, brain)
Treatment Information
Treatment Overview
- Surgery: Lumpectomy, mastectomy, sentinel lymph node biopsy, axillary dissection - Radiotherapy: After breast-conserving surgery or post-mastectomy in selected patients - Chemotherapy: Anthracyclines, taxanes, platinum agents, etc. - Hormonal therapy: Tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors, ovarian suppression - Targeted therapy: Trastuzumab, pertuzumab, lapatinib, T-DM1 for HER2+ disease - Immunotherapy: Checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., pembrolizumab) in selected TNBC - Supportive/palliative care
5-Year Survival Rate
N/A
Available Treatments
0
Treatment Options
Prognosis & Outlook
- Prognosis depends on stage, molecular subtype, and treatment response - 5-year relative survival: - Localized (Stage I): ~99% - Regional (Stage II–III): ~86% - Distant (Stage IV): ~30% - HER2-targeted and CDK4/6 inhibitor therapies have improved outcomes
Prevention & Early Detection
- Maintain healthy weight - Exercise regularly - Limit alcohol intake - Avoid or limit hormone replacement therapy - Breastfeeding may reduce risk - High-risk women: Prophylactic mastectomy, oophorectomy, or chemoprevention (tamoxifen, raloxifene) - Screening: Regular mammography from age 40–50 depending on risk factors
Support & Resources
- Healthcare team: Oncologists, breast surgeons, oncology nurses, social workers - Patient support groups (hospital-based, local NGOs) - Global: Breast Cancer Now, Susan G. Komen Foundation, American Cancer Society - Online communities: Breastcancer.org forums, CancerCare Online Support - Counseling & mental health services - Rehabilitation: Physiotherapy, lymphedema management, pain clinics
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