By Dr. Vijay Anand P Reddy, on February 17th, 2012
Breast cancer is divided into many stages of development to help the treatment be accurate. There are 5 stages of breast cancer. As each stages increases it denotes that the cancer is spreading gradually in the body. With the increase of each stage the treatment gets more complicated which ultimately leads to difficulty in curbing or curing the disease. This article gives you a brief insight of the various stages of breast cancer.
Each stage is categorized depending on the intensity of the cancerous cells in the breast.
Stage 0: In stage 0 there is no evidence of cancer tumor but there are abnormal cells which are present in the breast. This stage is also known as carcinoma in situ. There are two types of carcinoma in situ, Ductal and Lobular. In Ductal carcinoma in situ the abnormal cells are found in the ducts of the breast, as in the case of Lobular carcinoma in situ the abnormal cells are found in the lobular of the breast. Lobular carcinoma seldom is expected to become invasive cancer.
Stage 1: This stage is also divided into 2 stages.
- Stage 1A is when the tumor is 2cms or less.
- Stage 1B is when there is small cluster of cancer cells in lymph nodes and there is a possibility of a tumor less than 2cms.
Stage 2: Stage is divided as Stage IIA and Stage IIB.
- Stage IIA is when the cancer cells are found in the axillary lymph nodes with tumor of 2cms or in some cases it is as large as 5 cms. At the same time in some cases there might not be a presence of a tumor in the breast.
- Stage IIB is when there is a tumor which is larger than 2 cms and the cancer has spread in the axillary lymph nodes and sometimes the tumor is larger than 5 cms but it cancer does not spread in the axillary lymph nodes.
Stage 3: There are 3 stages in this stage. Stage IIIA, Stage IIIB, Stage IIIC.
- In Stage IIIA there is a possibility of a tumor but the cancer cells are spread to all the axillary lymph nodes and they are all adhered to each other.
- Stage IIIB the cancer is spread to the chest wall and breast skin of the patient.
- Stage IIIC is an advanced stage where the lymph glands in the neck are involved by the tumor. .
Stage 4: It is the last stage of cancer where the cancer cells have spread in to the organs of the body. like lungs, liver, bones or brain.
By Dr. Vijay Anand P Reddy, on February 8th, 2012
Management of breast cancer is a multidisciplinary approach. The various treatment modalities used are as follows:
Surgery: It refers to the complete removal of tumor with margin of normal tissue around the tumor. Surgery can either be Breast Conservation Surgery (removal of breast lump and lymph nodes in axilla) or Mastectomy (removal of entire breast).
Chemotherapy: It refers to the use of drugsto curb the growth of the malignant cells. It is used before the surgery or after the surgery, depending on the size and stage of the breast cancer, to kill the tumor or restrict it from growing and spreading to other areas of the body.
Targeted Therapy: In some patients there is an overabundance of a protein called HER2. This protein helps the breast cancer cells grow. An antibody called, trastuzumb is used to kill the growth of the cancer cells or slow the growth rate. Targeted therapy when coupled with chemotherapy, leads to improved tumor control and survival rates. Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy is another widely used treatment for breast cancer. High energy X-rays are to prevent the recurrence of cancer in the tumor bed. The treatment varies from 3weeks to 5weeks depending upon the stage, type of surgery.
By Dr. Vijay Anand P Reddy, on January 26th, 2012
Breast Cancer is amongst the most common cancer in Indian women. The initial stages are not painful or felt by the patient or the doctor.
Many times the reason for further testing is due to an abnormal formation in the breast which is detected during screening x-ray (or mammogram)of the breast. Otherwise there is a lump which forms on the breast which is evidently visible to the naked eye. There are some symptoms for breast cancer which have been listed out to help women observe for these signs on their breast.
- An abnormal swelling is observed on all of the breast or some part of the breast.
- Evident pain is felt on the breast. The breast skin tends to have rashes and skin irritation is felt.
- Nipples are painful or they turn inwards.
- The breast skin might get thickened or scaling is observed. The same goes for nipples where redness and thickening of the out layer is seen.
- Other than breast milk, there can be a nipple dischargeor bleeding per nipple. Apart from the breast area, sometimes lumps are formed near underarms also.
With the above mentioned symptoms if you have any of the two, it is suggested that you consult a specialist so they can be examined
further.
Breast Cancer is amongst the most common cancer in Indian women. The
initial stages are not painful or felt by the patient or the doctor.
Many times the reason for further testing is due to an abnormal
formation in the breast which is detected during screening x-ray (or
mammogram)of the breast. Otherwise there is a lump which forms on the
breast which is evidently visible to the naked eye. There are some
symptoms for breast cancer which have been listed out to help women
observe for these signs on their breast.
• An abnormal swelling is observed on all of the breast or some part
of the breast.
• Evident pain is felt on the breast. The breast skin tends to have
rashes and skin irritation is felt.
• Nipples are painful or they turn inwards.
• The breast skin might get thickened or scaling is observed. The same
goes for nipples where redness and thickening of the out layer is
seen.
• Other than breast milk, there can be a nipple dischargeor bleeding
per nipple. Apart from the breast area, sometimes lumps are formed
near underarms also.
With the above mentioned symptoms if you have any of the two, it is
suggested that you consult a specialist so they can be examined
further.
By Dr. Vijay Anand P Reddy, on January 19th, 2012
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. Various factors contribute in causing breast cancer. Some of the facts about breast cancer are given below:
- Breast cancer is mostly diagnosed in women.
- The risk of breast cancer increases with the increase in age. Women who are in their 30’s have the risk of 1:280 in the next 10 years. The risk further increases to 1 in 70 women when they are 40.
- It is statistically proven that white women have more risk of developing breast cancer when compared to African-American women.
- The risk of breast cancer recurrence increases if the person has a history of breast cancer. The cancer might develop in the other breast or in another part of the same breast.
The factors which lead to possible breast cancer are:
- Genetic Causes – 5%-10% of cancers are linked to defective or mutated genes.
- Hormonal Causes – Hormone influences play a mjor role in the development of breast cancer. Early menarche (< 12years of age), late menopause (>55 years), first child after 30, post menopausal hormone therapy are some of the factors associated with risk of breast cancer.
- Lifestyle and Dietary Causes – High fat diet, being overweight or obese is associated with the risk of breast cancer.
- Environmental Causes – Exposure to radiation e.g. Nuclear accidents, treatment of Lymphoma increases the risk of breast cancer.
By Dr. Vijay Anand P Reddy, on July 30th, 2011
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancer in women. Many women are victims of this cancer and over the years the numbers have been increasing. Breast cancer originates from the glandular tissues of the breast. The most common area of the cancer origination is from the inner lining of the milk duct. The kind of treatment for breast cancer is determined by size, stage, patience preferences, etc.
Breast cancer can be classified depending by different schemata. Every factor of the breast cancer influences the treatment given to the patient. The identifying of cancer symptoms is mostly by the physical examination of the breast. Some of the facts about breast cancer are given below:
- Apart from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer type which is diagnosed in women.
- Women whose age is more than 40 are more prone to breast cancer.
- The risk of breast cancer doubles if the woman has a first degree relative who had breast cancer.
- Age and gender are the two main risk factors for breast cancer.
- If the breast cancer is diagnosed in the early stages and is treated appropriately then the patient will be cured of this disease.
- 77% of women with breast cancer are aged above 50.
- The cancer is classified into 3 stages
- Stage 0: pre-cancerous
- Stage 1-3: early cancer which can be cured
- Stage 4: advanced cancer which is difficult to cure
By Dr. Vijay Anand P Reddy, on July 22nd, 2011
Thyroid cancer is one of the common types of cancer. It has several causes. One of the main causes of thyroid cancer is very little iodine content in the body. However, thyroid cancer can be treated if the patient is diagnosed for the cancer at an early stage. There are four major treatments for patients of thyroid cancer. They are:
Surgery: Surgery is the most important treatment for thyroid cancer. There are several procedures like Lobectomy, Near Total and Total Thyroidectomy which are performed in thyroid tumors with or without removal of neck lymph nodes. Later, a thorough Radioiodine scan is performed and decision is taken regarding radioactive iodine ablation therapy in follicular and papillary cancers..
Radiation: Radiation is a common procedure for treating cancer. In this treatment the high energy rays kill the tumor cells. There are two types of radiation therapy – External Radiation Therapy and Internal Radiation Therapy. Mostly, the patient is subjected to radiation therapy after he undergoes surgery to kill the remains of the cancer cells after surgery.
Chemotherapy: In some cases of thyroid cancer, drugs are administered to reduce the growth of cancer cells especially in advanced, inoperable cancer. In chemotherapy drugs are given to the patient either orally or injected into his veins. These drugs make their way into the bloodstream and fight the cancer cells thus curbing their growth or killing them. The administration of chemotherapy is done differently for different stages of cancer.
Thyroid Hormone Therapy: This therapy is used to treat thyroid cancer in an effective manner. Hormones are removed from the body which in turn helps in killing the growth of the cancer cells. Medication stops the glands from producing thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) which can be a medium for the growth of cancer cells.
By Dr. Vijay Anand P Reddy, on July 18th, 2011
Thyroid cancer is a very dangerous cancer that affects the thyroid gland of the human body. There is no single cause that can be attributed to thyroid cancer. However, researchers have thrown light on some of the factors which cause thyroid cancer. Some of the major factors are given below:
- Family History: Many physicians agree that thyroid cancer can be caused due to family history. In some patients, the possibility of thyroid cancer increases if any of the ancestors have already suffered from this disease. Human body has a particular gene called RET, which, if altered gives rise to a possibility of the person getting thyroid cancer. This gene is most often carried from parent to the child. Therefore, if this gene is detected in the body of a person then the doctors suggest the rest of the family also to be checked for this abnormal gene. The most common thyroid caused by this change is Medullar thyroid cancer.
- Radiation: People who are exposed to high radiation levels develop a high possibility of being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The most common type of thyroid cancer due to radiation is papillary and follicular thyroid cancer. A high dose of X-Ray is considered one of the main causes of thyroid cancer. Sometimes radiation fallout also causes thyroid cancer. This is commonly seen near atomic bomb testing, nuclear power plant accidents and other such accidents.
- Insufficient Iodine: Thyroid hormone is completely dependent upon iodine content. When the body does not have the necessary iodine content, there is a lapse in the functioning of the gland. Therefore, many countries add iodine in their salt to prevent this kind of thyroid problems.
By Dr. Vijay Anand P Reddy, on July 11th, 2011
It is the neoplasm of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a very important gland in the human body. It produces hormones which are essential in maintaining the metabolism of the body. Statistics show that the possibility of thyroid cancer in men is three times less than in women. The most dangerous feature of thyroid is that it can be caused due to a family history of cancer. The offspring of the person having cancer are more likely to be affected by this cancer.
There are many symptoms for identifying this type of cancer. Some of the most common symptoms are stated below:
- The first subtle sign of thyroid cancer in the patient is there is a nodule which is observed in the neck.
- The second most common symptom is an enlarged lymph node of the patient.
- The potential nodules which are malignant are very difficult to identify in patients who are under 20 years of age. Having benign nodules at this age is very uncommon. Therefore, the possibility of it being cancer is high.
- There is an evident change in the voice of the person if he is affected by thyroid cancer. There may be pain in the neck region or difficulty in swaalowing.
Technology and medical science together has helped doctors deal with most cancers. The treatment of thyroid cancer is possible provided it is diagnosed early. The most common methods of treating this disease are surgical removal and RadioIodine ablation. Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy can also be considered in the treatment of thyroid cancer.
By Dr. Vijay Anand P Reddy, on July 7th, 2011
Melanoma is type of skin cancer with very high mortality rate. It affects areas in the body where there is a high concentration of melanocytes. Melanocytes are the cells which produce pigment cells. Pigment cells are the cells which give color to the skin. Like in all types of cancer, when there is rapid growth in the cells, a tumor takes birth. Similarly in melanoma, there is a very rapid growth in the pigment cells which in turn form a tumor. There are a number of ways for treating melanoma depending on the stage of the cancer. Some of the treatments which are used worldwide are described in this article:
Surgery: In case of melanoma, surgery is the most effective treatment possible. The removal of the tumor in melanoma needs to be carried out carefully as there should be a calculated margin of removal which is generally more than the size of the tumor. This is done so that there is no re-lapse of the disease in the patient. Often there are chances of the malignant cells to spread a little beyond the tumor. This is due to the spreading nature of the malignant cells.
The basic tendency of melanoma is to spread in the lymph nodes. Surgically operating on the removal of the lymph node was considered very dangerous as this may lead to severe morbidities like lymphedema. With recent developments in this area, a new technique known as the sentinel lymph node biopsy has been introduced. This surgery has reduced the complications in the removal of lymph node.
Chemotherapy: One of the most popular treatments administered to many cancers is chemotherapy. There have been glimpses of success of chemotherapy in treating melanoma. There are many chemotherapy treatments which are used in different institutions. Dacarbazine, immunotherapy and local perfusion are some of the common chemotherapy agents which are used. Immunotherapy uses agents like interlukin-2(IL-2) or interferon (IFN).
Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy is used to kill the malignant cells in the body by exposing them to high intensity X-rays. This treatment is often used after the patient undergoes surgical treatment. After the tumor is removed surgically, the patient has to undergo radiation therapy so as to reduce the chances of disease relapse.
By Dr. Vijay Anand P Reddy, on June 29th, 2011
Melanoma is a rare skin cancer which has the highest mortality rate in all skin cancers. It affects the melanocytes which are responsible in producing pigments which give color to the skin. The cause of any cancer is due to a manipulation in the DNA of cells. Due to this damage, the cells grow uncontrollably and form a tumor. This genetic mutation can be caused due to both internal and external factors. There are various causes for melanoma:
Genetic causes: Melanoma is caused due to natural reasons mainly genetic. There are several genes which cause melanoma. Some of these genes are carried in a family increasing the risk of offspring also having the same genes which in turn make to offspring more prone to melanoma.
UV radiation: UV radiations present in the tanning beds are responsible for causing melanoma. Researchers recently released a report which states that tanning beds are ‘carcinogenic to humans’. This statement was issued after many epidemiological studies pointed out the fact that people who are below 30 years of age and use tanning beds have 70% more chances of being affected by melanoma.
Caucasians, Fair complexion, light hairs, light colored eyes are more prone to develop melanoma.
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