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Breast cancer
symptoms of late-stage breast cancer
In the later stages, skin breakdown can occur, forming ulcers that often have a foul smell and are accompanied by bleeding. Breast cancer can also extensively adhere to the skin. If cancer cells spread to the breast and the surrounding skin, multiple small nodules may appear and even fuse together. Lymph node metastasis is most commonly seen initially in the axillary region. In the early stages, the lymph nodes are scattered, enlarged, and hardened, but still movable. They then gradually increase in number and form hard lumps, and can even adhere to deep tissues and the skin. The lymph nodes above the collarbone can also become enlarged and hardened. The opposite axilla may also have lymph node metastasis. If cancer cells block the main lymphatic vessels in the axilla, it can cause lymphatic reflux obstruction in that arm, leading to arm edema; if the lymph nodes under the collarbone harden and compress the axillary vein, it may cause a purple edema in the arm on that side.
Intermediate symptoms of breast cancer
Symptoms of mid-stage breast cancer often include the breast becoming smaller and harder, the nipple being elevated, and, due to the involvement of the milk ducts, becoming flattened and retracted or even inverted. The breast can also significantly increase in size over a few months, causing the affected breast tissue to become enlarged and protrude. Breast cancer invades the pectoral muscles and their fasciae, making the tumor fixed to the chest wall and difficult to move. Cancer cells obstruct subcutaneous lymphatic vessels, causing lymphatic retention, which leads to dermal-edema-like swelling, and the skin appears with a characteristic peau d'orange (orange peel) texture. Lymph node metastasis initially appears in the axilla, starting as scattered enlarged and hardened lymph nodes that are still movable, then gradually becoming larger and forming hard masses, and even adhering to deep tissues and skin. The lymph nodes above the collarbone can also become enlarged and hardened. There could also be metastasis to the lymph nodes in the opposite axilla. If the cancer cells block the main lymphatic vessels in the axilla, it can cause lymphatic drainage issues in the arm on that side, resulting in a waxy, pale swelling of the arm.
Breast Cancer Surgery Plan
The surgical plan for breast cancer is a significant issue, as it involves determining whether the breast cancer is in its early stages, the location of the cancerous mass in the breast, whether the axilla and lymph nodes are affected, and whether there are distant metastases, among other factors, in order to make a comprehensive judgment. Therefore, breast cancer surgery is designed based on the location and size of the tumor in the breast, whether the skin and axillary lymph nodes are involved. For early-stage breast cancer, there are surgical methods that allow for the preservation of the breast and even the axilla, known as breast-conserving and axilla-conserving surgery. If a patient with breast cancer can receive such treatment, they have more than a 70% chance of completely curing the disease, while still retaining the breast and axilla. Thus, there are multiple surgical options for breast cancer, and each individual’s situation is different.
What is breast cancer OFS?
Breast cancer OFS is a method in the field of breast cancer treatment, where OFS stands for ovarian function suppression. Thus, OFS refers to the suppression of ovarian function, preventing the ovaries from releasing sex hormones, thereby achieving the purpose of treating breast cancer. There are three methods of OFS. The first method is direct surgical removal, medically also called castration. Here, "castration" implies the removal of ovarian influence, and this surgical method is actually one of the most effective methods of OFS. The second method is chemical castration. The most commonly used drug for this is called Gosserelin, which is used for drug-induced ovarian function suppression. The third method of ovarian function suppression is radiotherapy. However, because it is difficult to achieve the desired results and it can cause serious complications, this method is basically no longer used. OFS is necessary for breast cancer patients who are positive for estrogen receptor ER and progesterone receptor PR, and it is used only under these conditions.
Where does breast cancer usually hurt?
Breast cancer generally is painless, early stages present as a painless, solitary, small lump that is hard and has an uneven surface, with unclear boundaries with the surrounding tissue and is difficult to move within the breast. It is usually discovered accidentally by the patient or while bathing. As breast cancer continues to grow, it invades the Cooper's ligaments, causing contraction, hence the skin over the lump often appears puckered, a sign commonly referred to as dimpling, indicative of early-stage breast cancer. As the cancer progresses, it often causes the breast to shrink and harden, elevates the nipple, and may involve the milk ducts, leading to nipple retraction or indentation. It can also significantly increase in size within months, causing the affected breast to become larger and protrude. Breast cancer, invading the chest muscles and fascia, may fix the lump to the chest wall, making it difficult to move.
Early symptoms of breast cancer
The initial symptom of early breast cancer is a painless, single small lump with no redness or swelling around the skin. However, a few individuals may experience nipple discharge, typically fresh or stale blood. There may be slight indentations on the skin and some itching. Visually, some individuals might notice inverted nipples and lymph node metastasis under the armpits. The lump often has unclear boundaries, is hard in texture, has limited mobility, adheres to the skin, and is difficult to move within the breast tissue.
Symptoms of breast cancer recurrence
The symptoms of recurrent breast cancer are related to the location and form of recurrence. For example, if breast cancer recurs at the chest wound site, the symptoms typically manifest as local lumps or localized ulcers, erosion, and bleeding. If the recurrence is in the lungs, liver, or brain, it usually appears in the form of tumors. Early lung tumors do not show symptoms, but if it invades the pleura and causes pleural effusion, it can lead to shortness of breath or chest pain. If a tumor grows too large on the liver, it can cause abdominal pain or symptoms like loss of appetite, unwillingness to eat, and other complications associated with liver diseases. If it metastasizes to the head, symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, and a feeling of pressure in the eyes may occur. If it spreads to the bones, it can cause pain in the affected bone or fractures.
What should I do if I have advanced breast cancer with breast necrosis?
Firstly, radiotherapy can be used, localized radiation therapy, which will achieve certain local control effects. It can also provide surgical opportunities for some breast cancer patients who are otherwise inoperable. Additionally, it can relieve pain, reduce compression symptoms, and stop bleeding in ulcerated cancer lesions, thereby improving the patient's quality of life. If chemotherapy is possible, it should be pursued as it can reduce distant and extensive metastases. Then, if surgery is feasible, the ulcerated or already healed surgical incisions can be excised and sutured to improve the patient's quality of life.
Does breast mammography detect breast cancer?
Mammography primarily checks for any issues in a woman's breast, such as space-occupying lesions, which can be simply understood as a method specifically for screening breast cancer. Mammography is generally performed in the radiology department, where each breast is compressed using a flat panel, and then images are taken to look for any suspicious nodules. Generally speaking, it is adequate to perform this examination once a year. If one prefers not to undergo mammography, breast ultrasound can also be used to screen for breast cancer. If performed annually, it can effectively detect early cancerous changes or suspicious nodules, and if necessary, further treatment or assessment can be undertaken.
What should not be eaten with breast cancer?
There are specific considerations regarding foods that should be avoided for breast cancer patients. Foods, medications, or health supplements containing sex hormones are absolutely prohibited. The most common source of sex hormones in food is the use of placenta for nourishment, which is a common practice among the Chinese populace but is strictly forbidden in this case. Medications typically involve contraceptives, so it is crucial, especially in younger breast cancer patients, to consider non-medication-based contraception and avoid unplanned pregnancies — these are absolute taboos. Additionally, foods low in fats and cholesterol are not entirely prohibited but should be consumed in moderation.