In women, hormone-dependent breast cancer, which occurs with hormonal imbalance, is quite common. With early diagnosis, this form of the disease has a favorable prognosis after complex therapy. The latest technology makes it possible to determine the stage of the disease and the size of the tumor, as well as possible forecasts for the patient.
Features of the disease
The cause of hormone-dependent breast cancer is often hormonal dysfunction in a woman's body. Cancer cells on the surface have special receptors. For growth, they use estrogens, which leads to a sharp growth of the tumor. Therefore, female sex hormones provoke the growth of malignant neoplasms. A similar type of cancer is diagnosed in approximately 30-40% of sick women. The prognosis of oncologists is much better than that of the hormone-independent form of the disease. This is due to the fact that hormone-dependent cancer has a calmer course, and the process of metastasis is much slower.
Main classification
Depending on the degree of growth of malignant cells, such forms of hormone-dependent breast cancer are distinguished as:
- neoplasm with localization within the ducts;
- lobed tumor;
- thrice negative cancer.
All these varieties differ in the degree of aggressive course and prognosis for the patient's subsequent recovery. Depending on the growth of the tumor, it can be diffuse and nodular. The latter form of the neoplasm is much easier to diagnose, since it is quite dense, limited in displacement and firmly connected with the skin. A diffuse tumor is characterized by the occurrence of thickening of the skin of the chest, fever, and a change in vascular pattern. However, similar symptoms may indicate the presence of a benign neoplasm.
Development stage
Hormone-dependent breast cancer is usually divided into 4 stages, depending on the characteristics of the lesion of this organ and general pathological symptoms. In this case, the size of the malignant neoplasm is necessarily taken into account. Hormone-dependent breast cancer of the 1st stage is characterized by an increase in the tumor to 20 mm in the absence of metastases. The prognosis after timely treatment is positive. Therefore, it is necessary to undergo a timely examination to identify the disease in the early stages of the development of the disease.
Hormone-dependent breast cancer of stage 2 is characterized by the fact that the tumor has a size of more than 50 mm. In addition, it is possible to metastasize to adjacent lymph nodes. At this stage of the course of cancer, survival is somewhat reduced. Above the affected area, the color and texture of the skin changes.
The third stage is characterized by a much more severe course, and metastases spread throughout the body. Survival is reduced to 10%. As a result of this, signs such as:
- constant feeling of weakness;
- sharp weight loss;
- partial or complete disability;
- a sharp change in mood;
- frequent dyspeptic disorders.
At stage 4, the prognosis is not established, since it is believed that women are doomed to death. What will be the life expectancy, largely depends on the characteristics of the body. Enlarged lymph nodes indicate a prolonged progression of the disease. If the tumor process is accompanied by a course of inflammation, then pus begins to stand out from the nipple.
Causes of occurrence
Non-aggressive hormone-dependent breast cancer is formed as a result of a combination of several provoking factors. The main ones are:
- increased risk of increased estrogen levels or an imbalance in sex hormones;
- change in immunity;
- increased activity of glandular cells.
The risk of tumor formation is greatly increased in the presence of predisposing factors. Significantly increases the likelihood of developing tumors in women with:
- early ripening and late menopause;
- the presence of other hormone-sensitive tumors;
- menstrual irregularities.
An increased level of estrogen production can be congenital. In this case, the hereditary factor is important. In addition, the presence of other types of tumors can lead to the development of cancer. The incidence rate is significantly increased in patients with:
- fibroadenosis;
- mammary cysts;
- fibrocystic mastopathy.
The risk group also includes women with other pathologies associated with hormonal disorders. Prerequisites for the development of the neoplasm are frequent miscarriages, abortions, promiscuous sexual activity, ectopic pregnancy. The situation can be significantly aggravated with a decrease in immunity due to emotional and physical stress, taking certain medications, and insufficient rest.
The main symptoms
A hormone-dependent breast tumor may present with local and general symptoms. Common symptoms are associated with general intoxication of the body during the decay of cancer cells. They appear much later than the local symptoms, and indicate the spread of the tumor throughout the body. Common manifestations are characterized by:
- decreased performance and severe weakness;
- headache and nausea;
- loss of appetite, significant weight loss;
- nervousness, frequent mood swings.
With the course of the disease, local signs also appear, which a woman can notice on her own. To do this, you need to regularly perform a breast examination. Local signs of a malignant tumor include:
- changes in the structure of the breast;
- skin manifestations;
- an increase in adjacent lymph nodes.
At the very beginning of the course of the disease, a painful formation appears inside the chest, which over time reaches significant sizes. After some time, the cancerous tumor grows so much that it changes the shape of the breast. In the area of the neoplasm, the skin becomes rough or wrinkled.
In addition, there are changes in the structure of adjacent lymph nodes. A malignant tumor metastasizes to the axillary region. Lymph nodes become painful and distinguished by cohesion with each other. In the axillary region, a dense tuberous tumor forms, which hurts and remains almost motionless. Metastases mainly appear at the very last stages of neoplasm development. In addition, with the course of the disease, the position and shape of the nipple changes.
Diagnostics
To select the most suitable method for the treatment of hormone-dependent breast cancer, the oncologist prescribes a whole complex of various examinations. A malignant tumor can be not only with a hormonal disorder, so every sick woman must undergo an immunohistochemical analysis to make an absolutely accurate diagnosis, which allows you to determine the type of neoplasm, as well as its degree of sensitivity to sex hormones.
In addition, a biopsy is performed, and then the resulting material is examined for estrogen dependence. Another no less informative method of research is a blood test for the presence of appropriate hormones. In addition, the doctor offers to undergo such types of studies as:
- analysis for the determination of tumor markers;
- mammography;
- ultrasound diagnostics.
The combination of all these examination methods makes it possible for the oncologist to choose for each woman his own course of treatment for hormone-dependent breast cancer and make a prediction of the subsequent development of the disease.
Treatment features
To achieve the most positive result, therapy should be comprehensive, since only in this case the prognosis for hormone-dependent breast cancer is good enough, especially if treatment is started at the initial stage. The complex necessarily includes:
- complete excision of the cancer;
- chemotherapy
- radiation therapy.
In the treatment of hormone-dependent cancer, the use of specially selected hormones, which are required to improve and stabilize the general hormonal background, plays a very important role. This will prevent the rapid growth of the neoplasm, and then the doctor uses stronger drugs.
Hormones are often used with chemotherapy or after surgery. They can also be prescribed if it is not possible to carry out treatment with chemotherapy. A very good result is shown by burdock root in hormone-dependent breast cancer. It is necessary to prepare an infusion or decoction based on this plant and apply daily. However, it is worth remembering that before using various kinds of folk remedies and methods, you must first consult with your doctor. In addition, you need to know that they in no way replace the main therapy.
The doctor must adjust the diet, as the success of treatment depends on this in many respects. The sooner a cancer is detected, the more likely it is to get rid of it.
Drug therapy
Hormone-dependent cancer can be treated very well with hormones, but it is worth noting that only a part of sick women have the corresponding indications for receiving this type of therapy. Hormone therapy is prescribed:
- to avoid relapse;
- if the cancer is an invasive form that is not amenable to chemotherapy;
- if the risk of metastases is high;
- in the case when the tumor grows very quickly, but the number of new cells does not increase;
- Seals appeared in the chest after surgery.
The duration of treatment depends largely on the well-being of the patient. If the first part of the treatment course went well, then the next batch of hormones is prescribed for 3-6 months. With hormone-dependent breast cancer, the prognosis largely depends on the stage of the course of the disease, but it is worth noting that after taking the drugs, the life expectancy of patients increases. The most used drugs include such as:
- Tamoxifen.
- Anastrozole.
- Faslodex.
The drug "Tamoxifen" is indicated for malignant tumors that develop during menopause. "Anastrozole" is widely used in the treatment of hormone-dependent breast cancer, since this drug helps to normalize the level of hormones in the body and copes well with malignant tumors.
The drug "Faslodeks" contributes to the destruction of estrogen. It is used to prevent the spread of malignant cells to glandular tissue. It is worth noting that hormone therapy is effective only in the initial stages of the disease.
Surgical intervention
Surgical therapies involve the removal of degenerated tissue. In addition, ovarian surgery may be required. Specialists perform complete or partial removal of the breast. Various advanced equipment is used for the procedure. Modern laser instruments help during the operation to irradiate tissue to prevent a subsequent relapse. It is mainly performed in the postmenopausal period. Nulliparous women oncologists try to preserve the reproductive organs as much as possible.
To reduce the aesthetic and psychological problems that arise in connection with the removal of a breast affected by cancer cells, reconstructive plastic surgeries are often performed. They can be delayed or simultaneous. To improve the course of the rehabilitation period, the patient is shown to follow a diet, taking medications to prevent the development of complications.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy for hormone-dependent breast cancer implies the introduction of specially selected drugs that can destroy the most active cells of the malignant neoplasm. Doctors prescribe a similar technique before or after the operation. The main goal of such therapy is to reduce the affected area and prevent the occurrence of relapse.
Chemotherapy for hormone-dependent breast cancer is used to treat women of reproductive age and patients with enlarged lymph nodes. It is worth noting that drugs help to destroy absolutely all actively multiplying cells of the body, not just cancer. That is why rehabilitation is required after a course of therapy. Hormone-dependent breast cancer is not treated with chemotherapy if:
- pre- and postmenopausal women;
- low risk of metastasis;
- if the lymph nodes are not involved in the malignant process.
In addition, chemotherapeutic techniques are not used to treat women older than 70 years.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is used before surgery to reduce the area of damage to malignant cells and swelling. This will allow during the surgical intervention to destroy only carcinoma cells, without affecting a healthy area.
Some doctors prescribe radiation therapy to patients after surgery. A similar procedure is used when the disease is at the very last stage, and then the procedure helps to suspend tumor growth. This will not completely cure the cancer, but will improve the patient’s quality of life and extend it somewhat. The doctor calculates the area and therapeutic dosage of radiation separately for each patient, depending on the area of the spread of the malignant process and the patient's well-being.
Dieting
Nutrition for hormone-dependent breast cancer must be balanced. The diet should contain foods with lots of antioxidants.
Oncologists advise during the treatment to exclude the consumption of harmful products, coffee, alcohol, salty foods, preservatives. It is recommended that patients observe a properly selected dietary regimen not only during the treatment period, but also during the rehabilitation period.
Possible complications
Complications are formed due to the progression of an advanced malignant process and as a result of therapy. The most dangerous consequence is metastasis, which implies the spread of malignant cells throughout the body. Metastases may not manifest themselves for 6-10 years.
Germination in the skin and subsequent decay of the tumor is complicated by inflammatory processes, tissue necrosis and bleeding. The main consequences of chemotherapy and radiation therapy are hair and eyebrow loss, itching, dryness, redness and severe flaking of the skin. Against the background of taking the prescribed anticancer drugs, digestion processes, the appearance of complaints of vomiting and nausea are possible.
Hormone therapy provokes a strong leaching of calcium from the bones with the subsequent occurrence of pathological fractures, a violation of blood coagulation and a tendency to form blood clots.
Prognosis after treatment
Doctors say that with hormone-dependent breast cancer, the prognosis of survival largely depends on the stage of the course of the disease, as well as the features of damage to organs and systems. This type of oncology is considered the most favorable in terms of therapy, since today there are many different therapeutic methods.
With hormone-dependent stage 1 breast cancer, the prognosis is quite good at all, as a woman has a high chance of a full recovery. Doctors use modern methods of therapy. However, after treatment, a woman should undergo regular preventive examinations throughout her life and, if necessary, repeat courses of hormonal therapy.