Breast Cancer Metastasizes to Which Locations

Written by Zhang Chao Jie
Breast Surgery
Updated on November 12, 2024
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Breast cancer metastasis generally follows the following sites due to its anatomical structure and specific characteristics. The most common sites are the axilla, the contralateral breast, the contralateral axilla, and the areas above and below the clavicle, which is also known as the pipa bone, referring to the areas above and below the pipa bone. As for distant organs, based on the frequency or likelihood of occurrence, the most common are the lungs, bones, liver, and the brain, specifically within the head. These are referred to as the lungs, bones, liver, and head, which are the places most prone to distant organ metastasis.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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early symptoms of breast cancer

60% of early-stage breast cancer presents as a lump, most commonly in the upper outer quadrant. The primary symptoms include a painless, solitary, small lump that is hard, uneven in surface, irregular in shape, and not clearly demarcated from surrounding tissues. The lump is hard to move within the breast, indicating adhesion to the surrounding tissue. The skin over the lump may show signs of redness, swelling, indentation, orange peel-like texture, dimpling, and ulceration. Sometimes, there may also be nipple discharge, typically bloody, and early-stage enlargement of the axillary lymph nodes can occur.

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Written by Zhang Chao Jie
Breast Surgery
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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.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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Breast Cancer Screening Methods

Breast cancer screening methods start with manual palpation to check for lumps. Second, mammography is used, which is the most effective method for early diagnosis of breast cancer with a sensitivity of 80%-90%. Additionally, breast ultrasound and B-ultrasound examinations can be performed, which are simple, safe, and non-invasive. Another available method is breast MRI, which provides more accurate differentiation between benign and malignant tumors. Lastly, a biopsy using a hollow needle can also be done.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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How is breast cancer treated?

For the comprehensive treatment of malignant (breast cancer), it needs to be specifically addressed based on case analysis, considering the patient's physical condition, economic factors, and other circumstances. There isn't a one-size-fits-all treatment plan suitable for everyone, as each case requires specific analysis. The treatment options for breast cancer include, firstly, surgery, which can be either a mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery, depending on lymph node metastasis and pathological staging. The second option includes radiation therapy, the third is endocrine therapy, the fourth is chemotherapy, the fifth is targeted therapy, and the sixth and subsequent options may include immunotherapy.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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early symptoms of breast cancer

Breast cancer commonly occurs in the upper outer quadrant of the breast, with a hard, stone-like texture, mostly presenting as solitary masses that can be round, oval, or irregular in shape. These tumors have limited mobility and tend to adhere to the skin and surrounding tissues. However, the size of the mass does not change with menstrual cycles or emotional fluctuations, and it can grow rapidly in a short period. It predominantly affects middle-aged and elderly women. Additionally, mammography can reveal tiny calcifications, abnormal vascular patterns, and spiculated changes.