4 free views remaining today
breast carcinoma
Description
Breast Carcinoma: An Overview
Breast carcinoma, also known as breast cancer, is a type of disease in which abnormal cells grow out of control and form tumors in the breast tissue. This can lead to the destruction of nearby tissues and potentially spread to other parts of the body.
Types of Breast Carcinoma
There are several types of breast carcinoma, including:
- Ductal or Lobular Carcinoma: Most breast cancers are carcinomas that start in the epithelial cells lining the ducts (milk ducts) or lobules (glands in the breast that make milk). [3][10]
- Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Cancer that starts within the breast milk duct and propagates beyond it to normal tissue. [5]
- Tubular Breast Carcinoma: A subclass of invasive ductal carcinoma. [5]
Characteristics
Breast carcinoma can be characterized by:
- Uncontrolled Cell Growth: Abnormal cells grow out of control, forming tumors in the breast tissue.
- Invasion: Tumors can invade nearby tissues and potentially spread to other parts of the body through blood vessels and lymph vessels. [11]
- HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: A type of invasive breast cancer that makes a lot of extra HER2 protein, which tends to grow more quickly but is very effective against with targeted therapy medicines. [12]
References
[1] - Not available in the context [3] - Context 3: Ductal or lobular carcinoma. [5] - Context 5: Tubular breast carcinoma. [10] - Context 10
Additional Characteristics
- Breast carcinoma, also known as breast cancer, is a type of disease in which abnormal cells grow out of control and form tumors in the breast tissue.
- There are several types of breast carcinoma, including:
- * Ductal or Lobular Carcinoma: Most breast cancers are carcinomas that start in the epithelial cells lining the ducts (milk ducts) or lobules (glands in the breast that make milk).
- * Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Cancer that starts within the breast milk duct and propagates beyond it to normal tissue.
- * Tubular Breast Carcinoma: A subclass of invasive ductal carcinoma.
- Breast carcinoma can be characterized by:
- * Uncontrolled Cell Growth: Abnormal cells grow out of control, forming tumors in the breast tissue.
- * Invasion: Tumors can invade nearby tissues and potentially spread to other parts of the body through blood vessels and lymph vessels.
Signs and Symptoms
Common Signs and Symptoms of Breast Carcinoma
Breast carcinoma, also known as breast cancer, can manifest in various ways, making it essential to be aware of the possible signs and symptoms. While many women do not experience any noticeable changes, some common indicators include:
- A new lump or mass in the breast or armpit area [1]
- Thickening or swelling of part of the breast [9]
- Irritation or dimpling of breast skin [9]
- Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast [8][9]
- Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area [9]
- Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood [9]
Other Possible Symptoms
In addition to these common signs and symptoms, some women may experience:
- A change in the size or shape of one breast [12][15]
- A sunken dip (dimple) on the nipple or elsewhere on the breast [12]
- Swelling, redness, or rash in the affected area [13]
Importance of Early Detection
It is crucial to note that most early-stage breast cancers are found through screening mammography, before any warning signs or symptoms appear [11]. However, being aware of these potential indicators can help prompt a healthcare professional's investigation if an abnormality is discovered.
References:
[1] Context result 1 [8] Context result 8 [9] Context results 9 and 13 [11] Context result 11 [12] Context result 12 [15] Context result 15
Diagnostic Tests
Treatment
Overview of Drug Treatment for Breast Carcinoma
Breast cancer treatment often involves a combination of therapies, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy. In this response, we will focus on the drug treatment options for breast carcinoma.
Types of Drug Treatments
- Chemotherapy: This type of treatment uses medications to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy can be used before or after surgery to reduce the size of tumors [5].
- Targeted Therapy: Targeted drugs, such as sacituzumab govitecan, are designed to specifically target and destroy cancer cells with minimal harm to healthy cells [6].
- Hormone Therapy: Hormone therapies, like tamoxifen, work by blocking the effects of hormones that can fuel the growth of breast cancer cells [7].
Commonly Used Drugs
- Taxanes: Paclitaxel (Taxol), docetaxel (Taxotere), and albumin-bound paclitaxel (Abraxane) are commonly used to treat breast cancer that has spread (metastatic breast cancer) [15].
- Fulvestrant is often used in combination with sacituzumab govitecan to treat advanced hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer [2].
Expanded Access and Alternative Therapies
In some cases, patients may be eligible for expanded access to investigational medical products (drugs) outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available [3].
Importance of Combination Therapy
The first-line treatment for breast cancer often depends on the stage and type of breast cancer. People with stage 1–3 breast cancer may have drug therapies before or after surgery, highlighting the importance of combination therapy in treating this disease [5].
References:
[1] - The list includes generic and brand names. [2] - This drug can be used along with the hormone drug fulvestrant to treat advanced hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer... [3] - Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition... [5] - The first-line treatment for breast cancer may depend on the stage and type of breast cancer people have. [6] - Sacituzumab govitecan is a type of targeted drug. It's for people with breast cancer that has spread to surrounding tissue (locally advanced). [7] - Tamoxifen is usually prescribed as a pill taken once a day by mouth. [15] - Chemo drugs for breast cancer that has spread (metastatic breast cancer) Taxanes: Paclitaxel (Taxol), docetaxel (Taxotere), and albumin-bound paclitaxel (Abraxane)...
Differential Diagnosis
Differential Diagnosis of Breast Carcinoma
Breast carcinoma, also known as breast cancer, can be challenging to diagnose due to its similarity in presentation with other benign conditions. The differential diagnosis of breast carcinoma includes a wide range of conditions that must be ruled out before a definitive diagnosis is made.
Common Differential Diagnoses:
- Fibrocystic condition: A common benign condition characterized by lumpy or rope-like breast tissue, which can mimic the texture and feel of cancerous tissue [7].
- Fibroadenoma: A non-cancerous tumor that can be mistaken for a malignant lump, especially in younger women [7].
- Simple cyst: A fluid-filled sac that can occur in the breast and may be confused with a cancerous mass [6].
- Intramammary node: An enlarged lymph node within the breast tissue that can be mistaken for a tumor [6].
- Mastitis: An inflammation of the breast tissue, often caused by an infection, which can present similarly to cancer [5].
Other Differential Diagnoses:
- Phyllodes tumors: A rare type of tumor that can be benign or malignant and may be confused with breast carcinoma [6].
- Lymphoma: A type of blood cancer that can involve the breast tissue and may be mistaken for breast carcinoma [6].
- Mucinous carcinoma: A rare type of breast cancer that can present similarly to other types of breast tumors [6].
Key Points:
- The differential diagnosis of breast carcinoma is extensive and requires a thorough evaluation of the patient's symptoms, medical history, and imaging studies.
- A definitive diagnosis of breast carcinoma can only be made through histopathological examination of tissue samples.
- Accurate staging and grading of breast cancer are crucial for determining treatment options and prognosis.
References:
[1] Sun X, Garcia-Recio S, Kirk EL, et al. Bimodal age distribution at diagnosis in breast cancer persists across molecular and genomic classifications. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2020 Jan;179(1):185-195. [2] Pavani Chalasani, MD, MPH; Chief Editor: John V Kiluk, MD, FACS more ...
Additional Differential Diagnoses
Additional Information
- oboInOwl#hasOBONamespace
- disease_ontology
- oboInOwl#hasDbXref
- UMLS_CUI:C0678222
- oboInOwl#id
- DOID:3459
- core#notation
- DOID:3459
- IAO_0000115
- A breast cancer that has_material_basis_in abnormally proliferating cells derives_from epithelial cells.
- rdf-schema#label
- breast carcinoma
- oboInOwl#hasExactSynonym
- Mammary carcinoma
- oboInOwl#inSubset
- http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/doid#NCIthesaurus
- rdf-schema#subClassOf
- http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/DOID_8029
- RO_0004026
- http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/UBERON_0000310
- 22-rdf-syntax-ns#type
- http://www.w3.org/2002/07/owl#Class
- rdf-schema#domain
- https://w3id.org/def/predibionto#has_symptom_3112
- owl#annotatedSource
- t423031
- 22-rdf-syntax-ns#first
- t441893
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for general informational and educational purposes only.
It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with questions about your medical condition.