Breast cancer treatment detailed information
Breast cancer treatment varies according to the ailment. Actually, breast cancer treatment commences right from the stage when the patient experiences the typical symptoms of breast cancer. The breast cancer treatment gets completed with mastectomy followed by radiation.
BREAST CANCER TREATMENT PROCESSES
The initial breast cancer treatment processes start with the following two means. They include physical screening of the nipples and breasts besides Mammography (X-ray of the breasts). Such examination guarantees total diagnosing of this underlying debilitating breast syndrome.
BREAST CANCER TREATMENTS
Surgeons usually carry out any one or a combination of the following four breast cancer treatments. These are:
(1) Simple mastectomy
(2) Radical mastectomy;
(3) Modified radical mastectomy;
(4) Axillary node dissection;
(5) Lumpectomy; and
(6) Adjuvant treatment
MASTECTOMY: BREAST CANCER TREATMENT TYPES
Mastectomy is the technical term referring to the surgical process entailing removal of a breast. The root of the term is the Geek word ‘mastos’ which connotes breast. Mastectomy is of three types. They are Simple mastectomy, Radical mastectomy & Modified Radical Mastectomy. The surgeon decides upon the mastectomy process depending on the severity of breast cancer.
Simple mastectomy: A simple mastectomy removes the cancerous cells known as the ‘Paget cells’. These abnormally developing cancerous cells must be diagnosed and removed at their initial formative states for total treatment of breast cancer. During this stage of breast cancer, the Paget cells remain confined in the milk ducts at the nipple or the surrounding areas. Simple mastectomy requires the removal of affected breast as well as the lining of the chest muscles.
Radical mastectomy: Radical mastectomy entails the removal of the affected breast and the lymph nodes.
Radical mastectomy is done in cases when the patient is suffering from an invasive form of breast cancer including Paget’s disease of the nipple. Invasive breast cancer occurs when the Paget cells spread fast outside the milk ducts to attack the breast tissues.
This surgery is also done in the non-invasive underlying DCIS syndrome which is also known as ‘Ductal carcinoma in situ’ and ‘Intraductal carcinoma’. During this stage, the Paget cells remain in the milk ducts. So, they are easier to be identified and removed. Radical mastectomy helps in removing all the milk ducts wherever the Paget cells are located.
Modified radical mastectomy: If the Paget cells cause extensive damage also beyond the breasts, then a modified radical mastectomy is carried out. The surgeon carries out modified radical mastectomy to remove not just the affected breast and the lining over chest muscles, but also certain affected lymph nodes (especially under the arm).
AXILLARY NODE DISSECTION
Axillary node dissection is a modified form of radical mastectomy. Axillary node dissection removes the lymph nodes possessing the Paget cells from the region around the armpits.
Sentinel node biopsy: The term ‘Biopsy’ connotes examination of severed tissue for diagnosis. The root of the term is in the two Greek words ‘bios’ meaning ‘life’; and the other Greek word ‘opsis’ that signifies ‘sight’.
‘Sentinel node biopsy’ is done while carrying out axillary node dissection. Sentinel node biopsy aids in taking out one or a fixed number of the lymph nodes.
LUMPECTOMY
Lumpectomy is an alternative form of surgery resorted to as a breast cancer treatment. Lumpectomy is carried out to keep intact as much of the breast as possible. Nonetheless, even Lumpectomy necessitates the ultimate removal of the afflicted portions of the breast including the nipple and the areola (the darker portion surrounding the nipple).
Lumpectomy is generally prescribed when the cancerous Paget cells remain in and around the nipple.
ADJUVANT TREATMENT
Adjuvant treatment refers to the session of radiation following mastectomy. It is usually carried out after the lumpectomy. Adjuvant treatment can also be carried out with hormone therapies which are anticancer drugs.
Doctors recommend Adjuvant treatment on two conditions. It is usually prescribed if there are the probable prognostic chances of the Paget cells reappearing. The other condition adjuvant treatment is prescribed is when the damage caused by the removed cancerous cells is rather serious.
