My mother observed a lump in her right breast. What is the cause?

Question

Hi doctor,

My mother observed a lump in her right breast before two months ago. The doctor advised for full abdomen USG, mammography, and FNAC. The results showed duct cell carcinoma (NST) with a lesion measuring 0.47 x 0.59 inch. Surgical Oncologist has advised for surgical removal of a tumor (BCS surgery) followed by radiation and chemotherapy. He suggested, my mother, to undergo four to eight sessions of chemotherapy, depending upon the biopsy report of the tumor. I wish to seek a second opinion depending upon the requirement of chemotherapy and radiation therapies and also want to know the possible side effects.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

The current treatment for the early breast cancer is breast conservation surgery and sentinel lymph node (axillary node) sampling. Please find out what modality is being planned to address the axilla as not all patients need axillary clearance. After breast conservation surgery, radiotherapy is a standard treatment done over three weeks to reduce the risk of future recurrence. Post-operative histology will dictate if your mother needs chemotherapy or not guided by the grade, size, margins, and the lymph node status. There are oncotype testing to personalize the treatment which gives the magnitude of benefit for a particular individual. Radiotherapy is mainly given to reduce the risk of local recurrence. Side effects of radiation are skin reactions in the short term and hardening of the breast in the long term. Chemotherapy, not sure whether your mother needs chemotherapy. If the nodes are negative with strong ER (estrogen receptors) in positive status, we could avoid chemotherapy altogether.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Thanks for the update. I fully agree with the plan of action suggested to you. Radiotherapy and hormonal therapy are box standard here. On the role of chemotherapy, I would also advise chemotherapy in this instance based on the grade and Ki67 score.

My mother observed a lump in her right breast. What is the cause?

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