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Breast cancer: Difference between revisions

Breast cancer (view source)

Revision as of 20:22, 8 November 2023

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(Created page with "'''Breast cancer''' is the most common malignancy in women and it’s the second most common cause of cancer mortality. The condition is related to increased oestrogen. When we talk about breast cancer we can mean either non-invasive or invasive carcinoma. These tumors develop from different parts of the terminal duct lobular unit (TDLU). They most frequently affect the upper outer quadrant of the breast. Breast cancer is most common in older, post-menopausal women. Can...")
 
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Increased oestrogen exposure is highly associated with breast cancer. Many of the risk factors like obesity, early menarche and nulliparity cause increased oestrogen/progesterone ratio. Oestrogens stimulate the production of growth factors which may promote tumor development. Factors which reduce unopposed oestrogen exposure, like late menarche and breast feeding are protective.
Increased oestrogen exposure is highly associated with breast cancer. Many of the risk factors like obesity, early menarche and nulliparity cause increased oestrogen/progesterone ratio. Oestrogens stimulate the production of growth factors which may promote tumor development. Factors which reduce unopposed oestrogen exposure, like late menarche and breast feeding are protective.
Histologically cancers can be distinguished from benign conditions based on the absence of myoepithelial cells, which are absent in cancers.


=== Invasive ductal carcinoma ===
=== Invasive ductal carcinoma ===
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We distinguish early and advanced breast cancer. Early breast cancer is non-invasive or has not spread beyond nearby lymph nodes. Advanced breast cancer has spread beyond nearby lymph nodes or to other organs.
We distinguish early and advanced breast cancer. Early breast cancer is non-invasive or has not spread beyond nearby lymph nodes. Advanced breast cancer has spread beyond nearby lymph nodes or to other organs.
== Diagnosis ==
Breast cancers are usually detected during routine mammography screening of postmenopausal women, or in women with self-palpated breast lump. The breasts are usually asymmetric as the breast with the tumor changes size or shape. Thanks to mammography screening, presentation by a palpable mass is becoming more and more rare.
Histologically cancers can be distinguished from benign conditions based on the absence of myoepithelial cells, which are absent in cancers.


== Screening ==
== Screening ==
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Breast cancer can metastasize anywhere, but most commonly they metastasize to the lungs, skeleton and liver.
Breast cancer can metastasize anywhere, but most commonly they metastasize to the lungs, skeleton and liver.
<noinclude>[[Category:Oncology]]</noinclude>
<noinclude>
[[Category:Oncology]]
</noinclude>