Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts from cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that may grow into (invade) surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body. The disease occurs almost entirely in women, but men can get it, too.
A cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts.
Breast cancer (malignant breast neoplasm) is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas. The size, stage, rate of growth, and other characteristics of the tumor determine the kinds of treatment. Treatment may include – surgery, drugs (hormonal therapy and chemotherapy), radiation and/or immunotherapy. Surgical removal of the tumor provides the single largest benefit, with surgery alone being capable of producing a cure in many cases. To somewhat increase the likelihood of long-term disease-free survival, several chemotherapy regimens are commonly given in addition to surgery. Most forms of chemotherapy kill cells that are dividing rapidly anywhere in the body, and as a result cause temporary hair loss and digestive disturbances. Radiation may be added to kill any cancer cells in the breast that were missed by the surgery, which usually extends survival somewhat, although radiation exposure to the heart may cause heart failure in the future. Some breast cancers are sensitive to hormones such as estrogen and/or progesterone, which make it possible to treat them by blocking the effects of these hormones.
Breast Cancer Causes:-
Certain changes in DNA can cause normal breast cells to become cancer. DNA is the chemical in each of our cells that makes up our genes — the instructions for how our cells work. Some inherited DNA changes (mutations) can increase the risk for developing cancer and cause the cancers that run in some families. For instance, BRCA1 and BRCA2 are tumor suppressor genes — they keep cancer tumors from forming. When they are changed (mutated), they no longer cause cells to die at the right time, and cancer is more likely to develop.
But most breast cancer DNA changes happen in single breast cells during a woman’s life rather than having been inherited. So far, the causes of most of the DNA mutations that could lead to breast cancer are not known.
The cancer in the breast does not mean a specific category of disease rather it is the different types of cancer found in the breast is known as breast cancer. Some of the main causes associated with breast cancer are:
- The chances of developing breast cancer depend upon age, with the increasing age the risk also rises.
- Family history of diagnosis of the disease increases the risk in the off springs.
- Early onset of menses and menopause can also be associated with the disease.
- Exposure to radioactive rays increases the chances of developing the disease and the exposure to harmful chemicals can also increase the risk of the disease.
- Other causes may include exposure to harmful chemicals and late child bearing as well.
Sign and Symptoms of Breast Cancer:
Signs and symptoms of breast cancer may include:
- A breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue
- Bloody discharge from the nipple
- Change in the size or shape of a breast
- Changes to the skin over the breast, such as dimpling
- Inverted nipple
- Peeling or flaking of the nipple skin
- Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange
Breast Cancer Treatment:
Women with breast cancer have many treatment options. The treatment that’s best for one woman may not be best for another. The options are surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. You may receive more than one type of treatment. The treatment options are described below. Surgery and radiation therapy are types of local therapy. They remove or destroy cancer in the breast. Hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy are types of systemic therapy. The drug enters the bloodstream and destroys or controls cancer throughout the body. The treatment that’s right for you depends mainly on the stage of the cancer, the results of the hormone receptor tests, the result of the HER2/neu test, and your general health. You may want to talk with your doctor about taking part in a clinical trial, a research study of new treatment methods. Clinical trials are an important option for women at any stage of breast cancer. Your doctor can describe your treatment choices, the expected results, and the possible side effects. Because cancer therapy often damages healthy cells and tissues, side effects are common. Before treatment starts, ask your health care team about possible side effects, how to prevent or reduce these effects, and how treatment may change your normal activities.
You may want to know how you will look during and after treatment. You and your health care team can work together to develop a treatment plan that meets your medical and personal needs. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist, or you may ask for a referral. Specialists who treat breast cancer include surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists. You also may be referred to a plastic surgeon or reconstructive surgeon. Your health care team may also include an oncology nurse and a registered dietitian.
Types of Surgery for Breast Cancer:
Most women with breast cancer have some type of surgery. Surgery is often needed to remove a breast tumor. Options for this include breast-conserving surgery and mastectomy. Breast reconstruction can be done at the same time as the mastectomy or done later on. Surgery is also used to check the lymph nodes under the arm for cancer spread. Options for this include a sentinel lymph node biopsy and an axillary (armpit) lymph node dissection.
Breast-conserving surgery: This type of surgery is sometimes called partial (or segmental) mastectomy. It only removes a part of the affected breast, but how much is removed depends on the size and location of the tumor and other factors. For most women with stage I or II breast cancer, breast-conservation therapy (lumpectomy/partial mastectomy plus radiation therapy) is as effective as mastectomy. Survival rates of women treated with these 2 approaches are the same. But breast-conservation therapy is not an option for all women with breast cancer (see the section, “Choosing between lumpectomy and mastectomy” below).
Mastectomy – Mastectomy is surgery to remove the entire breast. All of the breast tissue is removed, sometimes along with other nearby tissues. This approach is only used when immediate breast reconstruction is planned. It may not be suitable for larger tumors or those that are close to the skin. Implants or tissue from other parts of the body are used to reconstruct the breast. This approach has not been used for as long as the more standard type of mastectomy, but many women prefer it because it offers the advantage of less scar tissue and a reconstructed breast that seems more natural.
Recovery from Breast Cancer surgery:
Recovery from breast cancer is different for each person, and depends on the type of treatment you received, whether the cancer is contained, and other aspects of your physical and emotional health.
While you may feel relieved to be finished with treatment, you may also experience more difficult emotions. Some people have trouble believing that the cancer is really gone, so it may take them a while before they have the confidence to return to their normal activities. Others may find it difficult to deal with the possibility that the cancer could come back. In addition to new physical and emotional challenges after cancer treatment, you may also be facing new financial hurdles. These experiences are a normal part of being a cancer survivor.
Breast Cancer surgery and Rehabilitation service:
Breast reconstruction – If you are going in for a mastectomy, you need not feel too upset about it as we can offer immediate reconstruction facilities to you. Your breast can be reconstructed with your own muscles and your original breast form can be restored to a great degree. If you are finding it difficult to make up your mind, you have the option of a delayed reconstruction. This can be undertaken whenever you are comfortable with the idea. It is a good time to consider this option when you are through with your adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Breast prostheses – It is an artificial breast form that fits inside your bra cup to replace the natural breast. A mastectomy bra with a pocket to hold the prostheses will be the ideal thing for you. A well fitting prosthesis will go a long way in restoring your body form and confidence. We can help you with choosing what is best for you.
Lymphedema – Lymphedema is best prevented as the methods employed in treating this condition are not very encouraging. About 20-25% women underlying surgery of breast cancer suffer from this disease. It is important to identify this problem early so that adequate measures can be taken to control the problem. Compression stockings, manual lymphatic drainage etc. are a few methods that are employed to overcome this problem.
Psychosocial counseling – Cancer may have taken the zing out of your life. However, it is important for you to realise that it is really not the end of the road for you. We have expert psychosocial counseling services to help you bounce back. You can choose your own tools and remember life is all about adding life to your years and not years to your life.
Risk factors for Breast Cancer:
Anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn’t mean that you will not get cancer. People who think they may be at risk should discuss this with their doctor. Risk factors for breast cancer include the following:
- Older age.
- Menstruating at an early age.
- Older age at first birth or never having given birth.
- A personal history of breast cancer or benign (noncancer) breast disease.
- A mother or sister with breast cancer.
- Treatment with radiation therapy to the breast/chest.
- Breast tissue that is dense on a mammogram.
- Taking hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.
- Drinking alcoholic beverages.
- Being white.
Cost of Breast Cancer surgery in India
India’s favorable exchange rate and the cost of healthcare services are at an extensively lower cost than that of other countries. If you’re coming from a Western country such as the United States or Britain, medical procedures in India will generally cost a fraction of the price as compared to prices back home. Low cost is not the only criteria, patient looks for a quality output with low cost. India is proving to be much beneficial for such patients as the cost of the treatment is low without compromising the quality.
COUNTRY |
COST |
India |
$ 4,500 |
Singapore |
$ 6,500 |
| USA | $ 15,000 |
Breast Cancer Surgery in India
The types of breast cancer surgery in India differ in the amount of tissue that is removed with the tumor, depending on the tumor’s characteristics, whether it has spread (metastasized), and your personal feelings. The surgeon will discuss your options with you before your breast cancer surgery. A specific surgical procedure may be recommended for you based on the size, location, or type of breast cancer you have.
Traditionally, the primary purpose of breast cancer surgery in India is to cure your breast cancer by removing all of it from your body. The surgeon usually does this by cutting into your breast and removing the cancer along with some surrounding healthy tissue to ensure that all of the cancer is removed. Your surgeon may also remove some lymph nodes in the area to determine if breast cancer has spread. This helps your doctor assess the chance of your being cured, as well as the need for further treatment.
