What is breast cancer OFS?

Written by Zhang Chao Jie
Breast Surgery
Updated on May 18, 2025
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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.

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Breast cancer IIA is stage 2.

Breast cancer stage IIa is considered early stage. Breast cancer is classified into stages 0, I, IIa, IIb, III, and IV. Stage III is further divided into IIIa, IIIb, and IIIc. Strictly speaking, breast cancers at stage IIa and earlier are considered early-stage breast cancer, while stage III is considered locally advanced breast cancer, including IIIa, IIIb, and IIIc, and stage IV is considered advanced breast cancer. However, since most operable breast cancers, which include up to stage IIIa (stages 0, I, II, and including IIIa), generally have favorable treatment outcomes, many research institutions and medical organizations in Western countries define all stages up to IIIa as early-stage breast cancer. Therefore, breast cancer stage IIa is classified as early-stage cancer.

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Symptoms of male breast cancer

The clinical symptoms of male breast cancer are generally similar to those of females, mainly presenting as painless, progressive enlargement of breast lumps. These breast lumps usually occur under the areola, and some patients may experience nipple inversion or abnormal nipple discharge. Many breast lumps tend to have unclear boundaries with surrounding tissues and often adhere to the skin or chest muscles. Many patients with male breast cancer experience metastasis to the axillary lymph nodes, causing the metastatic lymph nodes to enlarge and become painful, local lymphatic drainage obstruction, and causing local upper limb swelling and pain. Moreover, some male breast cancer cases have metastasized to the lungs, presenting clinically with symptoms such as coughing and chest pain related to the respiratory system. Some patients with male breast cancer have liver metastasis, clinically presenting with pain in the liver area, decreased appetite, and abnormal coagulation functions.

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Breast cancer is a disease.

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor of the breast that can occur in both women and men, though it is more commonly seen in women. Breast cancer arises when breast epithelial cells undergo genetic mutations under the influence of various carcinogenic factors, losing the characteristics of normal cells. Consequently, the structural organization of breast cancer tissue is disrupted, with loose cell connections, allowing cancer cells to easily detach and spread throughout the body via pathways such as blood or lymphatic fluid, leading to metastases in the lungs, brain, bones, etc. Therefore, this disease directly affects patient survival outcomes and should be taken seriously by everyone.

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How long does breast cancer metastasis take?

How long does it take for breast cancer to metastasize? There is no absolute scientific data on this issue. Based on data from theoretical animal experiments, metastasis can occur within a few hours, tens of hours, several days, or even years. It should be understood in this way. I believe your question primarily concerns how long after breast cancer surgery metastasis might typically occur. Generally speaking, after comprehensive treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and endocrine therapy, the earliest metastases appear within a year. The peak incidence for most people is between two to three years after treatment, making this period critical for frequent check-ups. During the first two years, stringent, thorough examinations every three months are essential. After two years, check-ups every six months continue from the third to the fifth year. After five years, annual physical examinations are recommended. A second peak period for recurrence occurs around eight to nine years post-surgery, which is why the frequency of examinations increases again during this time.

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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.