Infiltrative breast cancer is a common oncological disease. It is diagnosed in approximately 80% of women with malignant neoplasms of the breast. The older the patient, the higher the likelihood of a carcinoma.
The disease is characterized by its aggressiveness. The neoplasm quickly spreads beyond the borders of the duct of the mammary gland. It even covers the surrounding muscle tissue. Metastases are often found in the liver, bones, lymph nodes, kidneys, and respiratory organs. In addition, malignant cells can enter the brain with a blood stream.
Features of the disease
In ICD-10, breast cancer has a code of C50 and refers to common tumors in women. It is worth noting that every year the number of patients suffering from this disease is increasing. The disease can be detected at any age. However, more often it is observed in older women. The older the age, the higher the risk of getting sick.
Breast cancer (ICD-10 code C50) has an extremely aggressive course. Cancer cells penetrate with blood flow into the lymph nodes, as well as joints and adjacent organs. A characteristic feature of the pathology is the preservation of malignant cells in the patient's body for a long time. They can cause a relapse even 5-10 years after the end of treatment.
Main types
Another name for this pathology is carcinoma. What it is? This is a type of malignant neoplasm that develops from epithelial cells. What are its types? Doctors distinguish several different types of breast cancer, namely:
- Duct.
- Lobular.
- Nonspecific.
- Edematous infiltrative.
Ductal breast cancer usually affects older women. The oncological process begins to proceed in the milky ducts, then gradually grows and penetrates the adipose tissue. Metastases penetrate adjacent lymph nodes. This type of disease is most common.
Malignant neoplasm is a fairly dense node, which has an oval shape and uneven outlines. It is connected to adjacent tissues. The diameter of the neoplasm can be very small, but it can grow to large sizes. Inside the tumor there are necrotic areas that provoke the formation of cysts.
For a long time, the pathology does not manifest itself in any way even when conducting palpation. As the disease progresses, the tumor begins to affect the areola or nipple. Characteristic discharge appears from the chest.
Lobular infiltrative breast cancer appears very rarely. Usually it is formed in older women. Often a bilateral lesion of the breast is recorded.
Such a neoplasm is formed from tissues of milk lobules. It is quite difficult to detect in the initial stages. The tumor does not provoke soreness, differs in a dense texture and uneven outlines. In the later stages, wrinkling and retraction of the skin, as well as the spread of metastases to the ovaries and uterus, are noted.
Non-specific types of the disease include such neoplasms that do not have specific signs of a course or cause certain difficulties with the diagnosis. Tumors of this species are quite rare. The prognosis of the course of the disease depends on many different factors.
An edematous infiltrative neoplasm is found in approximately 5% of women. Infiltrate forms in the mammary gland, which is accompanied by severe swelling of the tissues. The disease is quite difficult to diagnose, since the neoplasm is not palpable, therefore many people confuse cancer with the course of inflammation in the gland.
Stages of the course and degree of malignancy
Infiltrative breast cancer (like other types of oncology) has several stages. They are based on such indicators:
- The size of the neoplasm.
- The presence of metastases.
- The defeat of the lymph nodes.
- Invasiveness.
The early stages of breast cancer are characterized by an almost asymptomatic course and minimal tumor size. It is possible to detect a neoplasm only when conducting a comprehensive diagnosis. The very beginning of the disease is considered stage 0. The tumor has the smallest size, does not go beyond the affected tissue. There are no metastases.
At the 1st stage of the disease, the tumor has a size of not more than 20 mm. There is a slight germination of malignant cells deep into the tissues. At this stage, metastases are absent.
At stage 2, the neoplasm can reach 50 mm in size. The tumor grows quite deeply. It can manifest as a lesion of lymph nodes located in the armpits. The spread of metastases has not yet been detected.
With the occurrence of stage 3 breast cancer, the tumor can reach a size of more than 50 mm. Germination in the tissue is quite deep, there is also the presence of fused lymph nodes.
At stage 4, metastases penetrate adjacent tissues and organs, as well as bone tissue. In addition, metastases (cancer cells detached from the tumor) can be observed in any organ where they enter the bloodstream. The result of this may be the formation of secondary cancer.
The oncological process can be characterized by the degree of aggressiveness or malignancy. There are several groups:
- GX - Changes are difficult to identify.
- G1 - slight germination of malignant cells.
- G2 - the tumor borders on critical indicators.
- G3 - the forecast becomes unfavorable.
- G4 - tissues are maximally covered by the malignant process.
At the first two degrees of malignancy, the condition is characterized as quite good for successful therapy, because the degree of germination of the neoplasm is not too high. In this case, the prognosis is usually favorable if treatment is started on time.
Causes of occurrence
Absolutely all women are interested in the causes of carcinoma. What is this, doctors have known for a long time. But why this disease occurs, there are still no exact answers. There are only speculations. It has been found that breast cancer can occur for the following reasons:
- High degree of sensitivity to estrogen and progesterone.
- The presence of specific genes.
- Difficulties in regulating the inflammatory process.
Oncologists identify several factors that affect the formation of infiltrative breast cancer. These include:
- Genetic predisposition.
- Hormonal disorders in the body.
- Age.
- The presence of precancerous diseases.
It is known that in women, the closest relatives who had malignant breast tumors, the risk of getting sick is much higher. At risk are those whose relatives had cancer of any organ. Also significantly increase the risk of various kinds of hormonal disorders. Can cause cancer early menstruation, late menopause, lack of childbirth and pregnancy throughout life, late pregnancy, refusal to breast-feed a baby, taking hormonal drugs for a long time. Various endocrine diseases and excess weight affect the occurrence of cancer.
Main symptoms
Be sure to know what cancer looks like, what signs of a disease may be in order to timely identify a disease. A feature of the pathology is the absence of severe symptoms in the initial stages, which leads to late diagnosis and complex therapy. Only after the transition to stage 2 can the first signs appear.
Among the main symptoms of infiltrative breast cancer, it is necessary to highlight:
- Lumps in the chest.
- Change in breast shape, swelling and swelling.
- Retraction of the nipple, the presence of secretions.
- Structural skin changes.
- Change the shade of the skin.
Regarding general well-being, women do not observe any particular changes. This can last until the onset of stage 4 of the cancer process, when tumors begin to develop in many organs. Most women during this period experience rapid weight loss, poor health, high fatigue, and severe pain.
Knowing what the cancer looks like, you can consult a doctor in a timely manner for diagnosis and subsequent treatment. A feature of the disease is the formation of metastases. They can be latent or latent for a long time.
Cancer metastasis leads to the formation of secondary tumors in any organs, and not just in adjacent ones.
Diagnostics
To determine the correct tactics of treatment, timely diagnosis of infiltrative breast cancer is very important. You can determine the formation of the disease by conducting such studies:
- Visual inspection
- Ultrasound diagnostics.
- Mammography.
- Biopsy.
- Tomography.
- Laboratory research.
When conducting a visual examination of the mammary glands, the doctor draws attention to their shape, size, symmetry, density, mobility. In addition, it checks the condition of supraclavicular and axillary lymph nodes.
Ultrasound will help determine the presence of a tumor, since during the study, there is a deterioration in the passage of ultrasound in the area of localization of the tumor.
With mammography, it is possible to detect tumors with a diameter of more than 0.5 cm and microcalcifications.
A biopsy is performed by taking a puncture or resection of the neoplasm, after which the resulting material is sent for histological examination. This allows you to determine the degree of malignancy of the tumor.
MRI is usually done when relapse is suspected, and also in order to assess the general condition of the tissues in the presence of an implant.
In a laboratory study, you can determine the presence of cancer markers and evaluate the level of hormones in the body.
Therapy Features
The treatment methods for infiltrative breast cancer are selected individually. Necessarily therapy should be comprehensive. It includes:
- The operation.
- Radiation therapy.
- Hormone therapy.
- Chemotherapy (medication).
- Targeted therapy (used for patients in whom the tumor produces the HER 2 gene).
The main measure to combat a malignant tumor is the operation. Typically, these types are used:
- Partial mastectomy. It is used if there is no metastasis, and the tumor is localized in a small area. Only a malignant lesion with adjacent healthy tissues is removed. After the operation, radiation therapy is mandatory.
- Radical resection.
Partial mastectomy is characterized by the fact that during the operation, the muscles of the chest are preserved, therefore, it is possible in the future to perform breast plastic surgery.
Radical surgery involves the removal of the breast along with fatty tissue, part of the muscles and adjacent lymph nodes. If an inoperable infiltrative breast cancer of a non-specific type occurs, then a palliative surgery will probably be prescribed, the main purpose of which is to make the patient feel better and increase life expectancy.
Radiation therapy is used in combination with other treatment methods. Basically, it is used after surgery to prevent the likelihood of a relapse or is prescribed along with the use of certain medications.
Chemotherapy is considered one of the most commonly used treatments. She must be appointed in such situations:
- The patient's age is less than 35 years.
- There are metastases.
- The tumor is more than 2 cm.
- Malignancy of the neoplasm between stages 2 and 4.
- The neoplasm is hormone-independent.
Hormone therapy is an integral part of the main treatment. In general, estrogen competitors are prescribed, as well as drugs that reduce the production of these hormones. All types of treatment are carried out after the appointment of a doctor.
Traditional techniques
Treatment methods are selected separately in each case. In this case, the size of the formation, the severity of the course, the general well-being of the patient, metastasis, the presence of concomitant pathologies are taken into account.
If it is impossible to carry out surgery, as well as during the rehabilitation period, radiation therapy is indicated to prevent relapse. Sometimes exposure to breast cancer is performed before surgery, as this allows localization of foci. Contraindications:
- Decompensation of heart failure.
- Complicated liver disease.
- Circulatory disorders of the brain.
- Severe metabolic disorders.
Certain negative consequences after irradiation may occur: changes in the skin, severe fatigue, tenderness in the chest area, osteoporosis, nerve damage.
Chemistry for breast cancer also causes a number of negative consequences. However, chemotherapy used before surgery stops the growth of cancer cells. Potent drugs improve prognosis and block the development of malignant tumors.
The consequences of chemotherapy:
- Hair loss.
- Diarrhea.
- Anemia.
- Skin damage.
- Fatigue.
Homeopathic remedies allow to increase the effectiveness of treatment. They also reduce the likelihood of relapses and help strengthen immunity.
Alternative remedies
Alternative methods are resorted to in the absence of the result of using traditional methods, as well as to enhance the effect of treatment. Therapy is carried out with the help of herbs containing toxic substances. In order not to provoke adverse reactions and not bring additional harm to the body, it is important to strictly observe the dosage.
Therapy is carried out with extracts from chaga, potato, St. John's wort, golden mustache, wormwood, hemlock. It is additionally recommended to drink freshly squeezed pomegranate juice and use natural sea buckthorn oil.
Surgical intervention
With breast cancer, surgery is almost always indicated. The type of intervention depends on many different factors. Partial mastectomy is performed according to several different methods and involves the removal of the tumor while maintaining the areola. An excision of the pathological focus with a part of the organ can be performed, but with the preservation of muscle tissue. When conducting such operations, it is possible to maintain the aesthetics of the breast, if you have plastic surgery.
Radical resection is a necessary measure for the progression of a malignant neoplasm. It involves complete excision of the mammary gland. After any intervention, a special therapy is performed that prevents relapses. It aims to destroy the remaining malignant cells. Basically, this is radiation therapy or chemotherapy. If cancer cells give a definite reaction to hormones, then a special course of hormone therapy may be prescribed.
Complications
Without the required comprehensive treatment, the disease can lead to a number of complications after a while:
- The formation of metastases.
- Lymphostasis of the upper extremities.
- Violation of motor functions.
A few years after the complex treatment, there is a likelihood of a relapse.
Forecast
The prognosis of infiltrative breast cancer directly depends on the stage and form of the course of the disease. The highest degree of survival if pathology is detected in the initial stages. However, early diagnosis of malignant neoplasms is quite rare. The patient mainly goes to the doctor when the tumor reaches a certain size or metastases have begun.
At stages 1 and 2, the prognosis is quite favorable. With proper treatment, approximately 80% of patients live 5 years or more. With stage 3 pathology, the chance of a successful recovery is significantly reduced. Only 35% of patients manage to live more than 5 years. At stage 4 of cancer, survival for more than 3 years is minimal.
This is due to the very aggressive course of the disease. Basically, several months pass from the moment the first signs of malignant neoplasms appear before contacting a doctor. During this time, metastases are already forming, which penetrate the lymphatic system and begin to spread to adjacent organs.
Infiltrative breast cancer is a very dangerous disease, as it begins to develop almost asymptomatically. In order to detect it in time, all women must undergo a mammogram.After 40 years, this examination is performed every 2 years. After 50 years - once a year. After 60 years - once every six months. Until the age of 40, women should visit a mammologist once a year, and undergo a mammogram if the doctor sees this as necessary.