Introduction:
Breast cancer refers to the development of cancer in the cells of the breasts. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women, and it rarely occurs in men. Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common among all types of breast cancer. It is highly fatal, and it is one of the cancers in women with a high morbidity rate. However, the morbidity rate of breast cancer is falling gradually due to recent advancements in screening tests that help in early diagnosis, new treatment approaches, and better awareness about the disease.
What Causes Breast Cancer?
It is most commonly caused by genetic mutations. Inherited genetic defects in genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 are causative factors for the development of breast cancer. Risk factors of breast cancer development include lifestyle, environmental factors, and hormonal changes.
What Are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer?
The symptoms of breast cancer include the following:
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A thickened lump that is painless, hard in consistency, and irregularly shaped that differs from the surrounding tissue which is present over the breast and armpit.
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Breast size, shape, and appearance are changed.
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Clinically the skin over the breast shows redness and pitting.
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Inverted nipple and sometimes blood discharge from nipple is seen.
What Are the Different Stages of Breast Cancer?
The different stages of breast cancer are categorized based on:
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Whether it is invasive or not?
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Size of a tumor.
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Lymph node involvement.
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Metastasis.
The different stages of breast cancer include:
Stage 0:
Stage 0 is also called “Ductal carcinoma in situ,” as this stage describes non-invasive breast cancer. There is no presence of any cancer cells or any kind of abnormal cells in the breast in stage 0.
Stage 1:
Cancer cells are seen inside the breast tissue in this stage. This stage describes invasive breast cancer. Stage 1 is again categorized into two sub-stages:
A. Stage 1 a:
In this stage, the tumor size is up to 2 cm, and there is no cancer metastasis or lymph node involvement.
B. Stage 1 b:
Tumor growth is not seen, but the presence of cancer cells of size larger than 0.2 mm but not greater than 2 mm are seen in the lymph nodes.
(or)
A tumor with a size not greater than 2 cm is seen, along with the presence of cancer cells which are larger than 0.2 mm but not greater than 2 mm are seen inside the lymph nodes.
Stage 2:
Stage 2 is subcategorized into two stages. The substages include:
A. Stage 2 a:
No tumor growth is seen, but cancer cells are seen involving one to three axillary lymph nodes or lymph nodes with proximity to bone.
(or)
A tumor with size 2 cm or smaller and cancer spread to the axillary lymph node is seen.
(or)
A tumor larger than 2 cm but not greater than 5 cm is seen, and there is no spread of cancer to the lymph nodes.
B. Stage 2 b:
A tumor larger than 2 cm but not greater than 5 cm and cancer spread to the lymph node is seen.
(or)
Tumors larger than 2 cm but not greater than 5 cm and cancer spread to less than four axillary lymph nodes.
(or)
A tumor of size greater than 5 cm but no cancer spread to the axillary lymph node.
Stage 3:
It is subdivided into three substages. That include:
A. Stage 3 a:
No tumor is present, and cancer spread involves four to nine axillary lymph nodes or in lymph nodes near the breast bone.
(or)
Tumors of size greater than 5 cm and cancer spread to the lymph nodes seen.
(or)
Tumors of size greater than 5 cm and cancer spread to less than four axillary lymph nodes or the lymph nodes near the breastbone are seen.
B. Stage 3 b:
The tumor is of any size, and the spread of cancer involves the chest wall or skin or breast, along with cancer spread to nine lymph nodes are seen.
C. Stage 3 c:
Tumors may be of any size, and cancer has spread to the chest wall or breast along with this, cancer has spread involving more than ten axillary lymph nodes or cancer spread to lymph nodes of the collar bone.
Stage 4:
This stage describes invasive breast cancer, which spreads to the other body parts beyond the breast and lymph nodes in proximity to the breast bone.
How Is Breast Cancer Diagnosed?
An early diagnosis of breast cancer is highly necessary so that it can be treated better and avoid life-threatening complications. If you do find any unusual changes in size, shape, or appearance of your breast or if there is any unusual growth over the breast, then have a consultation with your doctor. Your doctor will suggest you carry out some diagnostic tests that include:
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Physical Examination- Physical examination of your breasts is carried out by the doctor to check for a lump or any kind of abnormality. At home, you can do a self-examination by palpating your fingers over the breast to see any unusual changes.
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Imaging Tests- Imaging tests like X-ray, CT (computational tomography) scan, and breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) are suggested by doctors to have a clear picture on site of the size of the tumor and its metastasis.
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Biopsy- In a biopsy, a small amount of tissue is removed from the affected area, and the sample is sent for pathological examination. It gives out a definitive diagnosis of breast cancer as it describes the characteristics of cancer cells involved.
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Mammogram- A mammogram is a diagnostic tool that uses low-energy X-rays to diagnose breast cancer. It is used by doctors to find out the early signs of breast cancer. Additional mammograms are asked to carry out at regular intervals by your doctors to see for any changes in the breast by comparing previous mammogram images.
What Is the Role of Ultrasound in Early-Stage Breast Cancer?
Breast ultrasound is a diagnostic tool used in breast cancer. Breast ultrasound uses sound waves to detect any abnormal changes inside the breast. It gives out high diagnostic yield and accuracy in diagnosing breast cancer. It is highly useful in the early diagnosis of breast cancer that helps doctors in treatment planning.
How Is Breast Ultrasound Performed?
A breast ultrasound is performed by a healthcare provider with proper care. The breast cancer ultrasound procedure involves the following steps:
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The patient will be asked to lie in the supine position on the examination table.
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The hand near the side of the breast which needs to be examined is asked to raise above the head. This is done to have a clear view of the breast in ultrasound.
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An acoustic gel (a gel that helps in providing a clear image in ultrasound) is applied over the breast area.
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Then the healthcare provider presses the transducer (a wand-like device) over the skin of the breast that gives out images of the breast. These images help in diagnosing any changes inside the breast.
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Once all the procedure is done, the healthcare provider will wipe off the acoustic gel.
Is There Any Risk Associated With Breast Ultrasound?
There is no risk in having a breast ultrasound as it is highly safe. It is even safe for pregnant women as it does not use any radiation.
Why Is Breast Ultrasound Preferred Over Mammogram?
Breast ultrasound is preferred over mammogram due to the following reasons:
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In cases of dense breast, breast ultrasound produces more accurate and detailed images than a mammogram which makes breast ultrasound a diagnostic tool with high diagnostic yield in diagnosing dense breast associated with breast cancer.
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Breast ultrasound is highly suggested in pregnant ladies as it does not use any radiation to diagnose, whereas mammogram uses low-energy X-rays.
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Breast ultrasound gives more accurate readings in women less than 45 years of age, whereas mammograms are not suggested much in women who are younger than 45 years of age because mammograms do not show any accurate readings in dense breasts.
Conclusion:
Early-stage breast cancer is mostly non-invasive breast cancer. Early-stage breast cancer is diagnosed accurately by breast ultrasound. It helps in differentiating breast cancer from any benign lesions that cause any lump growth over the breast. Breast ultrasound is highly safe, and its accurate readings help doctors in diagnosing the condition better. If your doctor suggests you have a breast ultrasound, then there is no need to panic about it as it is highly valuable in diagnosing breast cancer and is a completely safe procedure.
