breast cancer Introduction
Breast cancer ranks third among the top ten most common cancers in Hong Kong, and is the most common cancer among women. In 2018, there were over 4,600 new cases of breast cancer in Hong Kong. In addition to the increasing incidence rate year by year, breast cancer in Hong Kong is also showing a trend of affecting younger people. The median age at diagnosis for breast cancer patients in Hong Kong is 56 years old, and approximately 54% of breast cancer cases occur in women aged 40 to 59.
In recent years, significant progress has been made in the treatment of breast cancer (including postoperative care), and the cost of chemotherapy for breast cancer has become more affordable. Breast cancer patients diagnosed early and receiving appropriate treatment immediately have very high survival rates.
I. Stages and Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Staging of breast cancer
| Breast cancer stage | Five-year survival rate |
| Issue 1 | 100％ |
| Issue 2 | 93％ |
| Issue 3 | 72％ |
| Issue 4 | 22％ |
According to the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation, women should undergo the following three examinations simultaneously to protect their breast health:
| Age | Self-examination | Clinical examination | Mammography |
| 40 years old or above | Once a month | Every two years | Every two years |
| 35-39 years old | Once a month | Every two to three years | |
| 20-34 years old | Once a month | Every three years |
Symptoms of breast cancer
- Changes in breast shape or size
- Lump in the breast or armpit
- Thickening, dimpling, or orange peel-like changes in breast skin
- Breast redness, swelling, and even ulceration.
- Nipple retraction, abnormal discharge, or bleeding
- Swollen axillary lymph nodes
ii. Risk factors for breast cancer
Risk factors for breast cancer
- The older you are, the higher your chances of developing breast cancer.
- A close relative who is over 50 years old and has breast cancer, such as a mother or sister.
- Never given birth or gave birth late (after age 35)
- Early onset of menstruation(before age 12) or late menopause (after age 55)
- I have had breast cancer in either breast before.
- Frequent consumption of high-fat foods, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption
- Obesity and lack of exercise(less than 3 hours per week)
- Long-term use of birth control pills or receiving hormone replacement therapy for more than 5 years
- Inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene variants.
What are the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes?
III. Diagnosis of Breast Cancer
Currently, the standard method for diagnosing breast cancer is known as the "three-step breast exam":
- Mammogram (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation)
- Ultrasonic scanning
- Tissue biopsy
Mammography
- Using an X-ray machine to image breast tissue, detect changes in microcalcifications and abnormal shadows.
- The breasts are placed flat on the instrument panel and clamped tightly from top to bottom, which may cause temporary discomfort.
- Do not use deodorant, talcum powder, or moisturizer on your breasts or upper arms on the day of the examination.
- If you have any breast symptoms or problems, please describe them to the technician.
- Bring your previous mammograms and reports (if any) for the doctor to compare.
- If the X-ray image shows abnormalities, ultrasound can be used to determine whether the shadow is solid or liquid.
- In young women or those with high breast tissue density, X-rays may have difficulty penetrating the tissue to detect lumps. However, combining X-rays with ultrasound can significantly improve sensitivity.
- Women over 40 years of age should have a mammogram every one to two years.
- Mammography is not suitable for pregnant women.
3D stereoscopic mammography
3D chest imaging uses X-rays taken from multiple angles to generate multiple images, displaying the chest tissue structure layer by layer, allowing oncologists to understand breast tissue and... Compared to traditional 2D technology:
- More effective detection of early breast lesions
- Higher accuracy, reducing the need for repeat shots.
- More suitable for young women with high breast density
- The examination is more comfortable because the breast is pressed for a shorter time and with less pressure.
Ultrasonic scanning
- Examine for breast lumps and check for swelling of the axillary lymph nodes.
- The doctor will apply gel to the breast, then move a probe across the breast and armpit, using a computer to convert the reflected sound waves into images to check for any abnormalities.
- It can supplement areas that cannot be clearly identified by mammography.
- For women with high breast tissue density, ultrasound scanning can supplement the limitations of mammography.
- The procedure takes only a few minutes and can be performed at a regular clinic.
- No radiation, suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women and for short-term follow-up examinations.
Biopsy
- A core needle is typically used to extract tissue from the tumor, which is then examined under a microscope to determine the presence of cancer cells. This method is called "core needle biopsy."
- Core needle biopsy can collect sufficient tissue for cytology examination and is more accurate than fine needle aspiration. It is currently widely used for suspected breast cancer lesions.
- The doctor will inject local anesthetic into the breast to reduce discomfort. After the biopsy is completed, stitches are generally not required, and the scar is not noticeable.
- Fine-needle aspiration is rarely used because the cells obtained may be insufficient to determine the nature of a tumor. However, if ultrasound confirms that a lump in the breast is a benign cyst, fine-needle aspiration can help drain the fluid from the cyst; it is also used to differentiate between axillary lymph nodes and cancerous cells.
- If necessary, your doctor may recommend a biopsy, which will require general or local anesthesia. The doctor will then remove the entire lump for examination.
- If a biopsy confirms the presence of cancer cells, further testing is required to determine if the tumor carries hormone receptors or HER2 receptors.
Hormone receptor testing
- Some cases of breast cancer are closely related to hormones.
- For invasive breast cancer, doctors typically use breast tissue obtained from a biopsy or surgery for hormone receptor testing.
- When breast cancer cells with hormone receptors bind to estrogen and progesterone in the bloodstream, the cancer cells are stimulated to multiply.
- Cancer cells that have estrogen receptors are called ER-positive (oestrogen-receptor-positive, ER+); those with progesterone receptors are called PR-positive (progesterone-receptor-positive, PR+).
- Breast cancer cells that are positive for hormone receptors respond better to hormone therapy. Conversely, if the cancer cells do not carry these receptors, i.e., they are ER-negative (estrogen-receptor-negative) or PR-negative (progesterone-receptor-negative), they will not respond to hormone therapy.
- Generally speaking, there are more treatment options for breast cancer that is positive for hormone receptors. Breast cancer that has both ER and PR receptors responds better to hormone therapy than breast cancer that only has one of these receptors.
Human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 test
- Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is naturally present in breast cells and is a receptor attached to the cell surface. Normal cells produce a small amount of HER2 receptors to receive growth factors and transmit growth messages from outside the cell to inside the cell to control cell growth.
- When breast cells have an excess of HER2 receptors, they proliferate uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors; this is HER2-type breast cancer (also known as HER2 overexpression or HER2-positive). In Hong Kong, approximately 20-25% of breast cancer cases are HER2-type breast cancer. Compared to other types of breast cancer, HER2-type breast cancer tumors grow and spread faster, and have a higher recurrence rate.
- If the test results confirm HER2-type breast cancer, targeted drugs against the HER2 receptor can be used, which are more effective than chemotherapy.
Other tools for diagnosing breast cancer
Your doctor may perform further tests, such as a liver ultrasound scan, bone scan, and PET-CT scan, to determine the size, location, extent, and location of the cancer, thereby deciding on the most appropriate treatment.breast cancermethods(suchChemotherapy..
IV. Staging of Breast Cancer
Doctors will determine the stage of breast cancer based on the following factors:
- Is breast cancer invasive or non-invasive (carcinoma in situ)?
- Tumor size
- Do cancer cells affect the lymph nodes under the armpit?
- Number of affected lymph nodes
- Has the cancer spread to other organs?
Issue 0
Carcinoma in situ, also known as mammary carcinoma, refers to the transformation of normal cells into cancer cells at the ends of mammary ducts or lobules. The cancer is confined to the mammary ducts and is the earliest sign of cancer.
Issue 1
The breast tumor is less than 2 cm and there is no axillary lymph node metastasis.
Issue 2
Breast tumors ranging from 2 cm to 5 cm with axillary lymph node metastasis, and the number of metastatic lymph nodes not exceeding 4; or breast tumors larger than 5 cm but without axillary lymph node metastasis.
Issue 3
Issue 4
The cancer cells have metastasized to distant organs, such as the liver, lungs, bones, and brain.
V. Classification of Breast Cancer
Different types of breast cancer have different clinical characteristics, treatment strategies, and prognoses.
Your doctor may perform further tests, such as a liver ultrasound scan, bone scan, and PET-CT scan, to determine the size, location, extent, and location of the cancer, thereby deciding on the most appropriate treatment.
As the medical community's understanding of breast cancer deepens, and with the development of molecular biotechnology and gene medicine, the classification of breast cancer has become increasingly refined, leading to personalized treatment options. Currently, breast cancer is broadly classified into the following categories:
Breast Cancer Staging, Definition and Characteristics
| Types of breast cancer | Characteristics/medication |
Luminal A cells ER and/or PR positive, HER2 negative, low Ki-67 (<14%) | These cases account for approximately 40% of all cases. Most are diagnosed early, respond well to hormone therapy, and have the best prognosis. Medication: Hormone therapy. |
Luminal B1 cells ER and/or PR positive, HER2 negative, Ki-67 high (>14%) | These cases account for approximately 40% of all cases. Most are diagnosed early, respond well to hormone therapy, and have the best prognosis. Medication: Hormone therapy. |
Human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) ER and PR positive or negative, HER2 positive | Accounting for approximately 15-20% of all cases, these are usually diagnosed at a relatively late stage. The cancer cells grow rapidly and have a high chance of metastasis. Treatment involves a combination of chemotherapy and targeted therapy. |
Triple Negative ER negative, PR negative, HER2 negative | Accounting for approximately 15-20% of all cases, these cancers are usually discovered at a relatively late stage. The cancer cells grow rapidly and have a high chance of metastasis. They are commonly seen in carriers of the hereditary BRCA 1/2 gene. Treatment primarily involves chemotherapy. |
VII. Treatment Methods
Local treatment
- Surgery
- Radiotherapy
Systemic treatment
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Targeted Therapy
Breast cancer surgery
Doctors will develop the most appropriate treatment plan based on the patient's condition, wishes, physical condition, and tolerance to medication. In many cases, doctors will use more than one therapy to enhance treatment effectiveness and minimize the chance of recurrence. The following cancer information is crucial when predicting disease progression and considering treatment options:
- Tumor size
- Number of affected lymph nodes
- Hormone receptor response: i.e., ER and PR are negative or positive.
- Target receptor response: HER2 negative or positive
- Cancer cell proliferation marker (Ki-67): The higher the percentage, the faster the cancer cells grow.
- Tumor histology (Grade): Classified into Grades 1-3, with Grade 3 being the most malignant.
It's important to note that even for the same type and stage of breast cancer, treatment methods and medications can vary; no single treatment is suitable for every patient. Therefore, you shouldn't compare yourself to other patients or be surprised or worried because their treatments differ from yours. If you have any questions, proactively consulting your attending physician is the safest approach.
Different surgical approaches for breast cancer
Total mastectomy
As the name suggests, the surgeon will remove the patient's entire breast, including the nipple, the skin over the tumor, the pectoral muscles, and the axillary lymph nodes. Removal of the entire breast is necessary when the tumor is very large or when cancer cells are present in different parts of the breast.
The current standard is to perform a total mastectomy together with a sentinel lymph node dissection (see page X). This method is called a modified radical mastectomy. Modified radical mastectomy preserves the chest muscles and some sentinel lymph nodes, resulting in relatively milder postoperative complications and a better appearance.
Women who have undergone a total mastectomy may consider breast reconstruction using implants or flaps from other parts of the body, either immediately after the surgery or some time later. If feasible, doctors may arrange for a skin-sparing mastectomy or a nipple-sparing mastectomy to preserve skin and the nipple, resulting in a more natural and aesthetically pleasing reconstruction.
Breast-conserving surgery
Surgeons remove only the affected portion of the patient's breast, including procedures such as lumpectomy and quadrantectomy. Breast-conserving surgery is performed in conjunction with axillary lymph node dissection or sentinel lymph node dissection. Patients will receive radiation therapy after breast cancer treatment surgery to remove any remaining cancer cells and reduce the chance of recurrence.
The principle of "local breast tumor resection" is to remove the tumor and its surrounding tissue from the breast; "quarter mastectomy" removes a larger area than "local breast tumor resection", about one-quarter of the breast.
Breast augmentation surgery
With the integration of local plastic surgery techniques and breast reshaping techniques, patients who undergo breast-conserving surgery can have breast tissue flaps or other implants used to fill in the breast that has been partially removed. As surgical techniques have advanced, some cases where the tumor size or location was previously considered unsuitable for local resection can now be treated with breast-conserving surgery.
Radiation therapy for breast cancer
Radiation therapy is usually performed three to four weeks after chemotherapy or breast cancer surgery to remove residual cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Which breast cancer patients need to receive radiation therapy?
All patients with invasive breast cancer and most patients with in situ breast cancer require radiation therapy after breast-conserving surgery (local removal of the tumor and lymph nodes to preserve the breast). Some patients who have undergone total mastectomy, such as those with large tumors, multiple lymph nodes affected by cancer cells, or cancer cells found in blood vessels or lymphatic vessels, require radiation therapy regardless of whether they have received chemotherapy or hormone therapy for breast cancer.
How is a radiotherapy treatment performed?
Before receiving radiation therapy, patients must first go to the hospital's radiation therapy department for localization planning. Localization planning is a simulation procedure for radiation therapy, and the entire process takes no more than one hour. Oncologists will use a special X-ray simulation planning machine to outline the areas on the patient's body that will receive radiation therapy (such as the breast, and in some cases, the lymph nodes).
Some patients will undergo a CT scan to simulate the procedure. After the simulation, the radiation therapist will mark the skin on which the patient will receive radiation to ensure accurate placement. These marks are usually small and temporary, and patients should be careful not to wipe them off during the treatment. In some cases, these marks are permanent and will not fall off.
Patients need to undergo radiation therapy for five to six weeks, with the actual length of the treatment depending on the individual case and the oncologist's plan. Treatments are generally conducted from Monday to Friday, with each session lasting approximately 15 to 30 minutes, and rest on Saturdays and Sundays.
VII. Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer and its Procedure
Chemotherapy, also known as chemotherapy,What is the chemotherapy.The principleof chemotherapyis to use chemical drugs to destroy cancer cells or stop them from dividing, thereby causing them to die.
Chemotherapy drugs circulate throughout the body via the bloodstream to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy kills all rapidly growing cells; therefore, in addition to cancer cells, other rapidly growing cells in the body, such as hair follicles, oral and gastrointestinal mucosa, and bone marrow, are also destroyed by chemotherapy drugs. Consequently, chemotherapy causes certain side effects, but these side effects are temporary and gradually lessen or disappear as treatment ends and healthy cells regrow.
Chemotherapy Procedures and Objectives for Breast Cancer
This can help shrink the tumor, making surgery easier and increasing the chances of preserving the breast. At the same time, preoperative chemotherapy allows doctors to know early on how the cancer cells are responding to the drug; if the cancer cells do not respond well to a particular chemotherapy drug, the doctor can quickly change the medication or treatment method.
As part of the postoperative treatment process for breast cancer, chemotherapy further eliminates any remaining cancer cells in the body after surgery, reducing the chance of recurrence or spread.
Control tumors, improve symptoms, maintain quality of life and prolong life.
Which breast cancer patients are suitable for chemotherapy?
Oncologists determine whether a patient needs chemotherapy based on a variety of factors. These factors include the stage and size of the tumor, and whether lymph node metastasis has occurred. Furthermore, the biological characteristics of the tumor, such as receptor status, the level of the cancer cell proliferation marker (Ki-67), and the degree of malignancy, are also important considerations.
Generally, patients with HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer need to undergo chemotherapy.
In some cases, doctors may recommend that patients undergo genetic testing and assess their risk of recurrence based on the test results, thereby determining whether chemotherapy is clinically beneficial for breast cancer patients.
Patients can receive chemotherapy via oral or injectable methods. Injection methods include:
- Peripheral intravenous infusion
- Chemotherapy drug box input
- Central venous infusion
Generally, patients with HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer need to undergo chemotherapy.
In some cases, doctors may recommend that patients undergo genetic testing and assess their risk of recurrence based on the test results, thereby determining whether chemotherapy is clinically beneficial for breast cancer patients.
Hormone therapy for breast cancer
From puberty onwards, a woman's ovaries produce estrogen, which helps breast cancer cells with hormone receptors to grow. Hormone therapy can slow or stop the growth of breast cancer cells by reducing the effects of estrogen or inhibiting its production. Therefore, hormone therapy is only suitable for breast cancer patients who are hormone receptor positive.
Hormone therapy can be broadly categorized as follows:
Hormone therapy is less toxic than chemotherapy, and side effects are generally milder. Common side effects include menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and irregular periods (or amenorrhea), but these can vary depending on the type of treatment and medication.
Hormone therapy can be broadly categorized as follows:
Reduce the effects of estrogen
Drug
Tamoxifen
Suitable for pre- or post-menopausal women.
The dosage is once daily for five years.
It may help prevent osteoporosis and lower cholesterol levels.
Potential side effects include: increased risk of blood clots;
thickening of the uterine lining, increasing the risk of uterine cancer.
Fulvestrant
Used for advanced cases resistant to other hormonal therapies
Suitable for postmenopausal women
Administered via intramuscular injection every two weeks for the first month; then monthly thereafter
Side effects include joint pain, hot flashes, and mild pain at the injection site.
Inhibit estrogen production
Drug – Aromatic cycloconvertase inhibitor
for use in conjunction with medications that suppress ovarian function.
The dosage is one tablet orally per day for five years.
Possible side effects include joint pain; increased risk of osteoporosis, and even fractures.
- Letrozole
- Anastrozole
- Exemestane
Inhibit ovarian function
Ovarian removal via medication or surgery
When women are premenopausal
and use medication to suppress ovarian function, menstruation may cease,
but it will gradually return to normal after discontinuation.
If the patient is nearing menopause when taking the medication, the effects of hormone therapy may be permanent.
Women who have had their oophores removed will immediately stop menstruating and will be unable to conceive.
- Goserelin
- Leuprorelin
Targeted chemotherapy for breast cancer
Anti-HER2 targeted drugs
- By blocking the transmission of HER2 receptor growth signals from the surface of cancer cells or inside the cancer cells, cancer cell growth can be inhibited.
- Applicable only to HER2-positive patients
- It can be administered orally, intravenously, or subcutaneously.
- The following are some types of anti-HER2 targeted drugs:
Trastuzumab
- Suitable for patients with early or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer
- It can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy.
- Administration method: Intravenous or subcutaneous injection. Administered once weekly or every three weeks, alone or in combination with chemotherapy; as determined by the physician based on the patient's condition.
- Patients with early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer must undergo a one-year course of Trastuzumab treatment.
- Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, headache, fatigue, diarrhea, joint pain, muscle pain, rash, and decreased white blood cell count.
- It may affect heart function. Before and during treatment, doctors will monitor the patient's heart condition. If heart function is affected, the doctor may recommend discontinuing the medication.
- Drug reactions vary from person to person. Patients should pay attention to their physical condition and consult their attending physician if they have any questions.
Pertuzumab
- It is often used in conjunction with trastuzumab, a process known as "dual targeting".
- Suitable for patients with early-stage or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer at high risk of recurrence.
- Preoperative use has a greater than 50% chance of completely eliminating the tumor.
- Administration method: Intravenous injection, once every 3 weeks.
- Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, rash, decreased white blood cell count, and numbness in the hands and feet.
Trastuzumab emtansine (TDM1)
- TDM1 is a drug that combines the targeted therapy trastuzumab with the chemotherapy drug DM1.
- Trastuzumab can inhibit cancer cell growth and induce apoptosis; DM1 also enters cancer cells to inhibit their growth, thus TDM1 can exert a dual attack on cancer cells.
- DM1 can deliver drugs directly to cancer cells before releasing them, precisely targeting the cancer cells.
- TDM1 is indicated for patients with disseminated HER2-positive breast cancer who have previously received trastuzumab and taxane chemotherapy.
- Administration: Administer intravenous infusion every three weeks at a hospital or clinic. The first infusion will take approximately 90 minutes. If no adverse reactions occur during the first infusion and there is no significant discomfort after completion, the infusion time for subsequent treatment courses can be shortened to 30 minutes.
- Common side effects include fatigue, nausea, headache, muscle or joint pain, decreased platelet count, and bleeding.
Lapatinib
- About one-third of HER2-positive breast cancer patients develop brain metastases. Lapatinib can cross the blood-brain barrier and target tumors located deep within the central nervous system.
- This treatment is indicated for HER2-positive breast cancer patients who have developed resistance (treatment failure) to trastuzumab or chemotherapy.
- In combination with oral chemotherapy drug capecitabine or hormone drug letrozole, it is suitable for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, advanced breast cancer, or breast cancer that has spread to the brain.
- This medication is taken orally; the daily dosage is determined by the attending physician.
- Common side effects include loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, rash, fatigue, indigestion, dry skin, mucosal inflammation, and muscle pain. Approximately 1% of patients experience a decline in cardiac function; during treatment, doctors will closely monitor the patient's cardiac function to ensure normal heart function.
mTOR inhibitors
- mTOR is a protein that controls cell growth and division. The mTOR inhibitor everolimus works by inhibiting mTOR to stop the growth of cancer cells and suppress angiogenesis.
- Everolimus must be used in conjunction with the hormone drug exemestane.
mTOR inhibitors
Applicable objects
- Postmenopausal women; and
- Breast cancer types that are hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative; and
- Cases where the disease has not been controlled despite previous treatment with the hormone drugs letrozole or
- anastrozole.
Dosage
- Everolimus and exemestane are both oral medications, taken once daily.
Side effect
Common side effects include mouth ulcers, nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, decreased blood cell count, and cough.
Inhibitors of cell cycle-regulated kinases CDK4/6
- CDK4/6 refers to CDK4 and CDK6, two important proteins that promote the cell division cycle. The medical community has discovered that hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, especially cases resistant to first-line hormones, is particularly dependent on CDK4 and CDK6 for growth.
- CDK4/6 inhibitors act like a braking system, stopping the division of cancer cells, thereby inhibiting tumor growth and promoting apoptosis.
- Currently, the CDK4/6 inhibitors registered with the Hong Kong Department of Health include two types: palbociclib and ribociclib.
Currently, targeted drugs suitable for treating breast cancer can be broadly classified into the following two categories:
Palbociclib and Ribociclib
Applicable objects
- The disease is in a locally advanced stage or has spread; and
- Postmenopausal women.
Dosage
Side effect
For information on the actual costs of various breast cancer chemotherapy treatments, as well as recommendations on combining several treatment methods (such as post-breast cancer surgery), please consult the Hong Kong United Cancer Centre.
FAQ
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women, ranking third in Hong Kong and being the most prevalent type of cancer in women. In 2018, Hong Kong reported over 4,600 new breast cancer cases, with a median age of 56 at diagnosis, and 54% of patients aged between 40 and 59. The incidence of breast cancer is showing a trend of increasing year by year and affecting younger women. Through early screening and appropriate treatment, most patients can be successfully cured.
What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
Symptoms of breast cancer vary from person to person, but special attention should be paid if the following conditions are present:
- Sudden change in breast shape or size
- Lump in the breast or armpit
- Abnormal thickening of breast skin, appearance of dimpling or orange peel texture
- The breast is red, swollen, and even shows signs of ulceration.
- Nipple retraction, abnormal discharge, or bleeding
- Abnormal swelling of axillary lymph nodes
What factors increase the risk of breast cancer?
The risk of breast cancer is related to age, family history, and lifestyle. The following are common risk factors:
- Age
- A close relative (mother, sister) has a history of breast cancer.
- Never had children or had children after age 35
- Early menarche (before age 12) or late menopause (after age 55)
- Habitual high-fat diet, smoking or excessive alcohol consumption
- Obesity and lack of exercise
- Long-term use of birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy for more than 5 years
- BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations
Understanding these risk factors can help adjust your lifestyle and receive preventative screening when necessary.
How is breast cancer diagnosed?
Methods for diagnosing breast cancer include:
Mammography: Detects microcalcifications or masses in the breast.
Ultrasound examination: supplements X-ray imaging and is suitable for patients with high breast density.
Biopsy: A biopsy is performed on breast tissue for pathological examination to confirm the presence of cancer cells.
Early diagnosis can significantly improve the success rate of treatment, and women over 40 should undergo regular breast screenings.
What are the stages and survival rates for breast cancer?
Breast cancer is divided into four stages, and the survival rates for each stage are as follows:
Stage 1: Tumors smaller than 2 cm, no lymph node metastasis, 5-year survival rate close to 100%.
Stage 2: Tumors 2-5 cm in size, with a small number of lymph node metastases, and a 5-year survival rate of approximately 93%.
Stage 3: Tumors larger than 5 cm or with multiple lymph node metastases, with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 72%.
Stage 4: Cancer cells have metastasized to other organs, with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 22%.
What are the treatment options for breast cancer?
Treatment options for breast cancer vary depending on the stage, severity, and patient condition, and include:
Local treatment: surgery (breast-conserving surgery or total mastectomy), radiation therapy
Systemic treatments: chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy
Breast cancer treatment plans are tailored to the characteristics of the tumor (such as hormone receptors and HER2 status) and the patient's condition, with the aim of improving treatment outcomes and reducing the risk of recurrence.
What is the chemotherapyprocess for breast cancer
The chemotherapy process for breast cancer is tailored to each patient based on the cancer stage, characteristics of the cancer cells, and individual constitution. Combined with various surgical treatments, it can be divided into pre-operative and post-operative chemotherapy stages to ensure optimal treatment effectiveness and minimize side effects.
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