Malignant neoplasms in the chest for several years occupy a leading position in the list of cancer. Ductal breast cancer is the most common pathology of this organ (diagnosed in 80% of cases). It develops from glandular epithelial cells lining the excretory ducts. With timely detection and radical treatment, the prognosis for recovery is favorable.
Pathology classification
The pathogenesis of this cancer is practically no different from the processes leading to the development of tumors in any part of the body. Various carcinogenic factors affect the elements of the mammary gland, lead over time to DNA mutations. As a result, an ordinary cell becomes atypical. She loses her normal signs, begins to multiply uncontrollably.
In medical practice, it is customary to distinguish 2 clinical varieties of the pathological process:
- Preinvasive form or intraductal cancer. It is detected only after germination in the duct, while other tissues and organs remain undeveloped. This form of the disease is considered the initial stage. The development of complications is rare. The clinical picture is usually poorly expressed, which complicates early diagnosis.
- Invasive form or infiltrating ductal breast cancer. It occurs in 80% of cases of the total number of oncological pathologies. The invasive form is conditionally a continuation of the pre-invasive form. As a result of exposure to negative factors, the tumor experiences a secondary degeneration. This entails the ability to give metastases, unlimitedly increase in size. Malignant elements can germinate in neighboring tissues and organs, lymph nodes.
In today's article, we will dwell in more detail on the second variant of the disease.
Causes of occurrence
The main element determining the development of ductal breast cancer under the influence of provoking factors is time. Therefore, the woman's age is considered the main risk factor. The exact reasons for the development of the disease, doctors can not name until now. However, they distinguish a group of adverse conditions that serve as a kind of trigger mechanism for the malignant process. Among them, it is especially necessary to highlight the following:
- The age of a woman. The likelihood of oncology increases significantly after 30-50 years, when the monthly cycle stops, menopause sets in.
- Genetic predisposition. If among close relatives in the female line was diagnosed with breast cancer, the likelihood of its development in subsequent generations increases.
- Late birth or lack of pregnancy.
- A large number of abortions in history.
- Early onset of puberty and late menopause.
- Long-term use of hormonal drugs, oral contraceptives.
- Refusal of breastfeeding.
- Injuries and mechanical damage to the soft tissues of the chest.
- Regular stress.
- High-calorie food with a predominance in the diet of foods rich in animal fats.
- Alcohol abuse, smoking.
The presence of one or several factors from the list above should alert. Such women should pay special attention to self-diagnosis, and a mammologist should be visited at least once a year.
Primary signals
Symptoms of ductal breast cancer at the initial stage are usually absent. Pathology is most often detected accidentally during a routine examination or medical examination.
The first sign of a malfunction of the mammary glands is the appearance of discharge from the nipples. They can have a different color and consistency (from transparent to greenish with impurities of blood). Such discharge does not depend on the phase of the menstrual cycle. In the case of a long current pathological process, changes also affect the areola of the breast. Sores appear on them, the skin becomes lumpy. Palpation is accompanied by severe pain.
As the disease develops, it becomes easy for a woman to determine the tumor itself. Its typical signs are the following:
- dense consistency;
- soreness;
- big size;
- low mobility;
- hilly surface.
With the growth of the neoplasm, the iron begins to deform. Its shape changes, the nipple becomes retracted. The nearby lymph nodes become inflamed. The clinical picture is often supplemented by a deterioration in overall well-being, unreasonable weight loss. Perhaps limiting movements in the limb on the side of the lesion.
Stages of the development of the pathological process
In medical practice, it is customary to distinguish several stages or stages during any oncological disease.
- For ductal breast cancer of stage 1, the absence of metastases is characteristic. The size of the neoplasm does not exceed 2 cm in diameter.
- In the second stage, metastases are also absent, and regional lymph nodes are affected. The tumor size does not exceed 5 cm.
- At the next stage, not only regional, but also distant lymph nodes are involved in the oncological process. There are no metastases, the size of the neoplasm is more than 5 cm.
- The fourth stage is terminal. At this stage, doctors diagnose an extensive tumor, damage to many lymph nodes. Metastases in distant organs are also determined.
Determining the stage or degree of the oncological process allows you to prescribe an adequate treatment, give a prognosis for recovery.
Diagnostic Methods
Diagnosis of the disease begins with a survey of the patient, the study of her complaints and anamnesis. Then follows the examination and palpation of the affected breast, which allows you to confirm or deny the presence of subjective sensations.
Biochemical and immunological blood tests are mandatory to detect signs of the disease, tumor markers. To visualize the tumor, determine its size and localization, instrumental diagnostic methods are used:
- Ultrasound
- mammography;
- CT scan.
A biopsy is performed to determine the type of neoplasm. The procedure involves the collection of tissue from the tumor, followed by examination in the laboratory.
Therapy options
Treatment of ductal breast cancer is most effective in the complex. Usually, surgical excision of the neoplasm is prescribed, and after it is supplemented with chemo-, hormonal and radiation therapy.
The treatment protocol is prescribed by the doctor after studying the clinical picture, the results of the examination. Additionally, consultation with specialized specialists (oncologist, mammologist, chemotherapist) may be required. Also, the course of therapy depends on the age of the patient, the presence of concomitant health problems, the presence of metastases and the localization of the tumor.
Surgical intervention
In most cases, treatment of ductal breast cancer requires a radical approach - removal of the tumor focus. The operation is carried out in one of the following ways:
- lumpectomy (partial excision of the tissues of the affected gland);
- quadrantectomy (removal of all tissues of the gland);
- mastectomy (complete resection of the mammary gland and adjacent lymph nodes).
Plastic surgery to restore the appearance of the breast is performed during a mastectomy or a year after the intervention.
Features of chemotherapy
At the initial stage of the development of the disease, they resort to chemotherapy. It allows you to suspend the growth of malignant elements, giving a chance for subsequent organ-preserving surgery.
Drugs for treatment are administered intramuscularly or intravenously. Several medications are usually used simultaneously, which is especially effective in the fight against metastases.
The need for radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is resorted to in cases where it is not possible to perform an operation or immediately before the intervention to determine the focus of the pathology. It is also used to prevent relapse if ductal breast cancer of the 3rd degree or 4 has been diagnosed. This treatment method has some limitations. For example, radiation therapy is not performed for circulatory disorders, metabolic disorders or liver dysfunction.
In what cases is hormone therapy indicated?
The chest is a highly susceptible part of the body to the influence of certain hormones. Therefore, treatment using drugs based on them is also used in oncology. Usually, medicines are selected that reduce estrogen levels, which inhibits tumor growth.
Therapy is carried out either after surgery, or after other treatment options. According to many doctors, the use of hormones is more effective when comparing this treatment with chemotherapy.
Prognosis for recovery
With timely access to a doctor and at the initial stage of ductal breast cancer, the prognosis is most favorable.
Less optimistic words from an oncologist can be heard in the following cases:
- large size of the neoplasm;
- the presence of metastases in the nearest lymph nodes;
- lack of receptors for female sex hormones;
- low-grade tumor.
If at the first stage the survival rate is about 90%, then with a 2 degree ductal breast cancer - only 70%. The fourth stage, even under the condition of quality therapy, almost always leads to death.
However, this disease should not be considered a sentence. Success in the fight against him depends on the correct mood on the part of the patient and her serious attitude. It is necessary to accurately follow the doctor’s recommendations, to reconsider the lifestyle.
Prevention Methods
The best prevention of ductal breast cancer is a periodic examination by a gynecologist, as well as self-diagnosis. In addition, doctors give the following recommendations for the prevention of the disease:
- timely treat pathologies of the reproductive system;
- monitor the regularity of the female cycle;
- do not postpone pregnancy until the age of 35 years;
- lead a regular sex life;
- use barrier contraceptives;
- provide long-term lactation (at least 1 year);
- avoid stress.
When the first symptoms of ductal breast cancer appear, the prognosis for recovery will be favorable if you immediately consult a doctor. Timely diagnosis and proper treatment sometimes cost a woman's life.