Is Breast Tumor Treatment Effective?
Is Breast Tumor Treatment Effective?
Introduction
The 5 year survival rate of breast tumor treatment can be as high as 99% or can be as low as 30%, and the effectiveness depends on various factors. For instance, it is the stage at which the treatment commences, the type of treatment chosen, and the health of the patient. Here is a good look at the effectiveness of breast tumor treatment.
Which Breast Cancer Symptoms Indicate An Advanced Stage?
When cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it is known as advanced-stage breast cancer or metastatic or stage IV breast cancer. Before we look at breast tumor treatment here is a broad understanding of symptoms of advanced stage breast cancer. The parts that may be affected include the bones, liver, lungs, or brain. Commonly reported symptoms that may point to an advanced stage include the following:
- Changes in the breast – formation of a lump in the breast or underarm. Changes in the shape if the breast, its size, or appearance. Formation of dimples on the skin of breasts, or thickening, or appearance that makes it look similar to that of an orange peel.
- Reddish appearance on the skin or formation of scales of the skin or nipple. Abnormal discharge from the nipples, including discharge that has traces of blood.
- Symptoms caused by spread of cancer – experiencing persistent pain or possible fracture in the bones. Difficulty breathing, sudden chronic cough, or pain in the chest. Sudden swelling and pain in the abdomen, yellowish appearance in the skin or eyes. Unusual incidents of headaches, seizures, changes to vision, or tendency to get easily confused.
- Symptoms due to affected lymph nodes – possible swelling or visible lumps in lymph nodes, especially near the collarbone.
What Are The Different Breast Cancer Causes?
With the above information, let us look at breast cancer causes before checking out breast tumor treatment. Breast cancer is attributed to a combination of genetic, hormonal, lifestyle, and environmental reasons. Common risk factors linked to breast cancer include:
- Genetic factors – include inherited gene mutations that increase the risk of breast cancer. Similarly, a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer may increase the risk of cancer. Advanced genetic testing facilities in Tamilnadu now offer residents the opportunity to get genetically tested for lifetime risk of cancer. This helps in ruling out cancer, or increasing the effectiveness of treatment by determining risk at an early stage.
- Hormonal factors – include extended exposure to certain hormones, either due to early menstruation or as a result of late menopause. Additionally, the use of combined estrogen and progesterone therapy post menopause may also increase risk.
- Lifestyle factors – are also partly responsible, and this includes excessive body fat, excessive alcohol consumption, and a sedentary lifestyle, apart from a poor diet.
- Environmental reasons – such as exposure to radiation treatments in the past in the chest area, and exposure to certain chemicals may increase risk.
- Reproductive reasons – like late child birth or barren women may be at increased risk. Similarly, lack of breastfeeding is also known to increase risk.
- Age – is a risk factor, with women after 50 at higher risk.
- Other factors – such as a history of breast cancer or certain non-cancerous conditions, like atypical hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ, are known to increase risk. Women with dense breast tissue are also at a higher risk of breast cancer.
Can Risk Of Breast Cancer Be Modified Or Predicted?
Yes, the risk of breast cancer can be modified to a certain extent and predicted by understanding risk factors. This includes the following:
Changes to lifestyle – obesity post menopause, increases risk due as this causes more levels of estrogen to be stored. It is important to exercise regularly, cut down on alcohol consumption, and stick to a balanced diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and grains. Smoking is to be stopped completely as it is linked to various cancers, including breast cancer.
Medical interventions such as hormonal therapy, preventive mastectomy or oophorectomy will help. Similarly, minimizing use of combined estrogen-progesterone HRT and oral contraceptives is also a good option.
Prediction of breast cancer risk includes evaluation of personal and family history, apart from genetic testing. Models that help to assess risk include assessment of 5 year risk through the Gail model, and a detailed assessment through the Tyrer-Cuzick model. Genetic testing involves tests for mutations in genes like BRCA1, BRCA2, to identify hereditary risk.
How Effective Is Breast Cancer Surgery?
It is now time to look at the effectiveness of breast tumor treatment. Breast cancer surgery is highly effective, especially when detected and treated early. The effectiveness depends on factors including the stage of cancer, and the type of surgery performed. When the procedure is combined with other treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, or hormonal therapy, the results differ.
- Breast cancer surgery types
- Breast-conserving surgery, also known as Lumpectomy involves removal of the tumor with some surrounding healthy tissue. This retains most of the breast, and is typically combined with radiation therapy. It is regarded as a highly effective option for treating early-stage cancers.
- Mastectomy involves removal of the entire breast and nearby tissues. There are sub-types such as simple/total mastectomy, modified radical mastectomy. These types reduce the risk of recurrence and will be required when the tumor is large.
- Reconstructive surgery is performed post mastectomy or lumpectomy to restore the appearance of the breast. This is to improve the quality of life and dignity of the patient.
- Lymph node surgery is for removal of the lymph nodes, where the cancer is likely to spread.
- Effectiveness as per cancer stage:
- Early-stage cancer has high survival rates.
- Locally advanced cancer is treated through a multimodal approach, such as chemotherapy and radiation. This also has good outcomes and good survival rates.
- Metastatic, also known as Stage IV has relatively lesser effectiveness, and surgery is not a primary treatment option.
- Breast cancer surgery is effective, when part of a comprehensive treatment plan. New surgical techniques and therapies help to constantly improve survival rates and quality of life.
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Education: Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai Experience: Agarwal is a seasoned pharmacist with over 7 years of experience in the pharmaceutical field. She has worked in various settings, including hospital pharmacies and community clinics, where she has excelled in medication management, patient counseling, and clinical support. Agarwal is known for her expertise in drug therapy optimization and patient safety. In addition to her practical experience, she contributes to health journalism, focusing on pharmaceutical advancements and health policy, and is involved in research projects aimed at improving medication practices and health outcomes. is known for her expertise in drug therapy optimization and patient safety. In addition to her practical experience, she contributes to health journalism, focusing on pharmaceutical advancements and health policy, and is involved in research projects aimed at improving medication practices and health outcomes.