Breast Cancer Treatment

Types of Breast Cancer 

• Ductal Carcinoma in Situ(DCIS) - Also known as intraductal carcinoma or stage 0 breast cancer, this is a non-invasive type of breast cancer that develops from cells located within the milk ducts or lobules. It represents 20% of newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer. Various subtypes of DCIS include micropapillary, papillary, cribriform, and comedo.
• Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)- Commonly known as infiltrating ductal carcinoma, it stands as the most prevalent form of breast cancer, comprising approximately 70 to 80% of cases. IDC initiates in the milk ducts and can easily spread into adjacent areas. Various subtypes of IDC include med`ullary carcinoma, metaplastic carcinoma, and colloid carcinoma.
• Inflammatory Breast Cancer - This is an uncommon but extremely aggressive form of locally advanced breast cancer, that often resembles an infection. It is characterized by unusual redness and swelling which is triggered by a blockage in the lymphatic vessels resulting from the accumulation of malignant cells.
• Paget Disease of the Breast - Also known as mammary Paget disease, it is an uncommon form of breast cancer, constituting approximately 1 to 4% of all cases. The patient can develop more than one tumour in the same breast, either ductal carcinoma in situ or invasive breast cancer.
• Angiosarcoma - The cancer originates from the cells lining the lymph nodes or blood vessels. It is exceedingly uncommon and typically seen in individuals aged 70 and above. This cancer is highly aggressive, and the patient may not experience any symptoms initially.

When should you consider seeing our experts?

Breast cancer can manifest in different ways and most of the symptoms are easily noticeable, which means that these can be detected during a self-examination. The most common indications that may call for the need for immediate medical evaluation include:

• Formation of a lump in any part of the breast, including the areola
• Formation of a mass or lump in the armpit
• Swelling, redness, or inflammation in the breast
• Dimpling of the skin on the breast
• Flaking of skin around the nipple
• Unusual discomfort and pain in the breast
• Unexplained changes in the shape or size of the breast
• Abnormal discharge from the nipple

How we diagnose you

For effective breast cancer treatment, accurate and prompt diagnosis is critical. The Cancer Care Facility at Surya Hospital offers world-class modalities to diagnose and evaluate breast cancer. These include:

• Mammography: It is a frequent screening method that employs low-dose X-rays to detect abnormalities in breast tissue. It is suggested as a routine screening for women over a specific age or those who are at high risk of getting breast cancer.
• Ultrasound Imaging: It creates images of the breast by using sound waves. It can assist in determining if a breast lump is a fluid-filled cyst or a solid mass. Ultrasound is especially useful for confirming abnormalities discovered during mammography.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI scans provide detailed images of the breast using magnetic fields and radio waves. It provides a more thorough picture, especially when several tumours are suspected or when breast cancer has spread to adjacent lymph nodes. MRI is also useful for screening high-risk people.
• Biopsy: A biopsy is a definitive diagnostic technique in which a tiny sample of breast tissue is removed for laboratory analysis. It aids in determining whether a worrisome spot is malignant and provides critical information regarding cancer's kind and aggressiveness.
• Genetic Testing: It may be advised in some circumstances, particularly for people with a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations can provide useful information about an individual's risk of developing breast cancer and help guide treatment decisions.
• Pathology and Molecular Testing: Molecular testing, such as hormone receptor (oestrogen and progesterone) testing which helps to analyze the expression of HER2 protein can guide therapy decisions and discover targeted medicines.

Treatment

Surya Hospitals treats breast cancer in a comprehensive and personalized manner. Our multidisciplinary team of oncologists, surgeons and radiologists works together to create a personalized treatment strategy. We take into account aspects such as the stage and kind of breast cancer, overall health, and patient preferences. Our treatment strategy may include:

• Surgery: Surgery is frequently used as the primary treatment for breast cancer. Various operations are performed by our expert surgeons, including lumpectomy (removal of the tumour plus a small amount of surrounding tissue) and mastectomy (removal of the entire breast). Breast reconstruction surgery can be performed in some circumstances to restore the look of the breast.
• Radiation Therapy: High-energy radiation is used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumours. It may be used after surgery to eradicate any remaining cancer cells, or it may be used as the primary treatment in some circumstances. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), for example, ensures accurate targeting while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.
• Chemotherapy: It is the employment of highly effective medications to kill cancer cells. It can be given before surgery to shrink tumours, after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells, or as the primary treatment. Our medical oncologists create personalized chemotherapy regimens for each patient based on their individual needs.
• Hormone Treatment: This can be used to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. This entails inhibiting the actions of hormones on cancer cells, such as oestrogen and progesterone. Hormone replacement therapy can be used alone or in conjunction with other treatments.
• Targeted Therapy: By addressing certain molecular defects, targeted therapy specifically targets cancer cells. It is typically used when breast cancer cells overexpress a protein known as HER2.