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Breast cancer
Does breast cancer require chemotherapy?
Not all breast cancer requires chemotherapy, which is just one method in the comprehensive treatment of breast cancer. Comprehensive treatment for breast cancer includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endocrine therapy, biological targeted therapy, and also traditional Chinese medicine treatment. Chemotherapy, in particular, can be described as a double-edged sword that kills both cancerous and normal cells. If the breast cancer is in an early stage, especially if the genetic typing is favorable, there might be an opportunity to forego chemotherapy. However, unfortunately, as of now, a significant portion of breast cancer cases still require chemotherapy. Therefore, it is necessary to communicate with professional doctors and analyze each specific case individually; one cannot generalize the treatment.
Does early-stage breast cancer hurt?
Early-stage breast cancer almost has no symptoms, and over 90% of breast cancer cases do not involve pain symptoms, especially in the early stages. This means that only early-stage breast cancer combined with breast hyperplasia-like diseases might involve pain. Generally speaking, early-stage breast cancer has no pain symptoms, and one might not feel anything abnormal. It is only during a health checkup that breast cancer can be detected by a breast specialist through palpation or imaging techniques such as color Doppler ultrasound or mammography without the patient feeling any symptoms. Pain may occur only if there is early-stage breast cancer combined with hyperplasia, or if the breast has been injured.
Early symptoms of breast cancer
The symptoms of early-stage breast cancer mainly include breast lumps, abnormal nipple discharge, and changes in breast skin. Breast cancer is a common type of malignant tumor among women in China, with adenocarcinoma being the most common pathological type, although other types can also be seen clinically. Patients exhibiting abnormal breast lumps, abnormal nipple discharge, and changes in breast skin should consider the possibility of breast cancer. Patients suspected of having breast cancer should undergo breast imaging tests, including mammography and breast MRI, among others. Patients in whom abnormal breast masses are found during imaging tests can obtain a definitive diagnosis by surgical removal or percutaneous biopsy. Patients diagnosed with breast cancer should undergo surgical treatment as soon as possible.
Breast cancer surgical methods
There are many surgical methods for breast cancer, but specifically, they are related to the stage of the disease. Generally speaking, the surgical methods for breast cancer include the following types: The first type is the modified radical mastectomy, which is the most traditional and has the broadest scope of excision. This often involves the complete removal of the breast, and the axilla may be cleared, or a sentinel lymph node biopsy may be performed instead, which is a possibility. The second type of breast cancer surgery is the best, used for early-stage breast cancer, which can preserve the breast, known as breast-conserving surgery. The third method of surgery involves removing all the glandular tissue inside the breast while preserving the skin, nipple, and areola complex, and then reconstructing the breast by placing an implant.
How long does breast cancer surgery take?
There are many types of surgery for breast cancer clinically, and the most commonly used currently are the modified radical mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer. The timing of the breast cancer surgery, the specific surgical method, anesthesia method, the proficiency of the surgeon, and whether rapid pathology is needed during surgery are all factors that affect the duration; therefore, the surgery time is not fixed. In most cases, the modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer takes about two hours. If rapid pathology is needed during the surgery, the time may also be extended accordingly, so it needs to be determined based on the specific situation.
Male breast cancer generally occurs at what age?
The general age of onset for male breast cancer is between 65 and 67 years old, which is about five to ten years later than the onset age for female breast cancer. Male breast cancer is a relatively rare malignancy, accounting for only 0.6% to 1% of all breast cancer cases, meaning that out of 100 breast cancer patients, approximately one is male. The development of male breast cancer is caused by multiple factors, which may include genetic factors, environmental influences, and also related to levels of hormone secretion from the endocrine system.
Does breast cancer cause hair loss in the early stages?
Breast cancer generally does not directly cause hair loss. In some cases, if it is breast cancer, it may cause anxiety, poor rest, and sleep quality, which might lead to relatively noticeable hair loss. However, hair loss associated with breast cancer mainly occurs during chemotherapy, as it is a common side effect of the treatment. Therefore, apart from chemotherapy, the relationship between breast cancer itself and hair loss is not particularly significant. While some people may experience noticeable hair loss, most do not have obvious hair loss.
How long does breast cancer surgery take?
The duration of breast cancer surgery varies depending on multiple factors, such as the type of surgery chosen, the surgeon, and the medical institution performing the surgery. Simply put, if a breast-conserving surgery is performed, the operation might only take about half an hour; whereas a typical modified radical mastectomy, which involves removing the entire breast, might take about an hour and a half. If the surgeon is a specialist in a top-tier hospital and performs breast cancer surgeries weekly or even daily, their surgery time is definitely the shortest. Therefore, depending on these factors, the duration can be as short as several tens of minutes to as long as several hours, in the case of reconstructive surgeries where the breast is removed and then reconstructed, which can take six to eight hours. Thus, it cannot be generalized; the duration can be as quick as twenty to thirty minutes or as lengthy as several hours.
Postoperative drainage care for breast cancer surgery
After breast cancer surgery, drainage tubes are generally required. Negative pressure drainage ensures that there is no accumulation of fluid after the surgery, and it also allows for observation of any postoperative bleeding. In most cases, if the drainage is substantial, the tube can be removed four to seven days after surgery, but it can generally be removed around three days post-operation. The drainage tube should always be kept clear. If the drainage is obstructed, a small amount of saline water can be used for flushing, or the drainage tube can be moved to achieve adequate drainage. The drainage fluid should be emptied daily, and care must be taken to maintain the sterility of the negative pressure drainage device.
How to Prevent Breast Cancer
Since the exact causes of breast cancer are not fully understood, prevention of breast cancer involves early examination. It is recommended that women under the age of 35 undergo a clinical examination every six months and a breast ultrasound once a year. For women over the age of 35, it is advised to have a breast ultrasound every six months and a mammogram once a year. Early detection and early treatment are the most important aspects of breast cancer prevention. Learn self-examination, and if you feel a noticeable lump, it is recommended to regularly visit a breast clinic or surgical clinic for diagnostic tests and treatment.