Malignant neoplasms in the breast for several years now occupy a leading position in the list of oncological diseases. 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.
Classification of pathology
The pathogenesis of this oncological disease practically does not differ from the processes leading to the development of neoplasms in any part of the body. Various carcinogenic factors affect the elements of the mammary gland, leading to DNA mutation over time. As a result, an ordinary cell becomes atypical. She loses her normal features, begins to multiply uncontrollably.
In medical practice, it is customary to distinguish 2 clinic altypes of pathological process:
- Pre-invasive form or intraductal cancer. It is detected only after germination in the duct, while other tissues and organs remain unaffected. This form of the disease is considered the initial stage. The development of complications is rare. The clinical picture is usually mild, making early diagnosis difficult.
- 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 one. As a result of exposure to negative factors, the tumor experiences a secondary degeneration. This entails the ability to metastasize, increase in size indefinitely. Malignant elements can grow into neighboring tissues and organs, lymph nodes.
In today's article, we will dwell on the second variant of the disease in more detail.
Causes of occurrence
The main element that determines the development of ductal breast cancer under the influence of provoking factors is time. Therefore, the age of the woman is considered the main risk factor. Doctors still cannot name the exact causes of the development of the disease. However, they single out a group of unfavorable conditions that serve as a kind of trigger for the malignant process. Among them, the following should be especially highlighted:
- The age of the woman. The likelihood of oncology increases significantly after 30-50 years, when the monthly cycle stops, comesmenopause.
- Genetic predisposition. If breast cancer has been diagnosed among close female relatives, the likelihood of its development in subsequent generations increases.
- Late delivery or no pregnancy.
- High number of abortions in anamnesis.
- Early onset of puberty and late menopause.
- Long-term use of hormonal drugs, oral contraceptives.
- No breastfeeding.
- Injuries and mechanical damage to the soft tissues of the chest.
- Regular stress.
- High-calorie diet with a predominance of foods rich in animal fats in the diet.
- 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 are usually absent at the initial stage. Pathology is most often discovered by chance during a preventive examination or clinical 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 blood impurities). Such discharge does not depend on the phase of the menstrual cycle. In the case of a long-term pathological process, changes affect andareola of the chest. Ulcers appear on them, the skin becomes bumpy. Palpation is accompanied by severe pain.
As the disease progresses, it becomes easy for a woman to identify the tumor itself. Its typical features are the following:
- dense consistency;
- soreness;
- large size;
- low mobility;
- bumpy surface.
With the growth of the neoplasm, the iron begins to deform. Its shape changes, the nipple becomes retracted. Nearby lymph nodes become inflamed. The clinical picture is often supplemented by a deterioration in general well-being, unreasonable weight loss. Possible limitation of movement in the limb on the side of the lesion.
Stages in the development of the pathological process
In medical practice, it is customary to distinguish several stages or stages during any oncological disease.
- Ductal breast cancer stage 1 is characterized by the absence of metastases. The size of the neoplasm does not exceed 2 cm in diameter.
- At the second stage, metastases are also absent, but regional lymph nodes are affected. The size of the tumor 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 the terminal one. At this stage, doctors diagnose an extensive tumor, damage to many lymph nodes. There are also metastases indistant organs.
Determining the stage or degree of the oncological process allows you to prescribe 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. This is followed by examination and palpation of the affected mammary gland, which allows you to confirm or refute the presence of subjective sensations.
Biochemical and immunological blood tests are mandatory prescribed to detect signs of illness, 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 taking tissue from a tumor with subsequent examination in the laboratory.
Therapy options
Treatment of ductal breast cancer is most effective in combination. Usually, surgical excision of the neoplasm is prescribed, and after that it is supplemented with chemotherapy, hormonal and radiation therapy.
The treatment protocol is prescribed by the doctor after studying the clinical picture, the results of the examination. Additionally, consultation of narrow specialists (oncologist, mammologist, chemotherapist) may be required. Also, the course of therapy depends on the age of the patient, the presence of concomitant he alth problems, the presence of metastases and the localization of the neoplasm.
Surgicalinterference
In most cases, the 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 tissues of the affected gland);
- quadrantectomy (removal of all gland tissues);
- mastectomy (complete resection of the breast and nearby 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
Chemotherapy is used at the initial stage of the development of the disease. It allows you to stop the growth of malignant elements, giving a chance for later organ-preserving surgery.
Drugs for treatment are administered intramuscularly or intravenously. Usually several medications are used simultaneously, which is especially effective in the fight against metastases.
Need for radiotherapy
Radiation therapy is used 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 recurrence if grade 3 or 4 ductal breast cancer has been diagnosed. This method of treatment has some limitations. For example, radiation therapy is not performed for circulatory disorders, metabolic disorders or dysfunctionliver.
When is hormone therapy indicated?
Chest is a very susceptible part of the body to the influence of certain hormones. Therefore, treatment with drugs based on them is also used in oncology. Usually drugs 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 compared with chemotherapy.
Prognosis for recovery
Prognosis is most favorable with timely access to a doctor and at the initial stage of ductal breast cancer.
Less optimistic words from an oncologist can be heard in the following cases:
- large tumor size;
- presence of metastases in nearby lymph nodes;
- lack of female sex hormone receptors;
- poorly differentiated tumor.
If at the first stage the survival rate is about 90%, then with stage 2 ductal breast cancer - only 70%. The fourth stage, even with quality therapy, is almost always fatal.
However, this disease should not be considered a sentence. Success in the fight against it depends on the right attitude on the part of the patient and her serious attitude. It is necessary to strictly follow the recommendations of the doctor, to reconsider the lifestyle.
Prevention Methods
The best prevention of ductal breast cancer is a periodic physical examination by a gynecologist, as well as self-diagnosis. In addition, doctors give the following recommendations to prevent the disease:
- timely treat pathologies of the reproductive system;
- monitor the regularity of the female cycle;
- do not delay pregnancy until age 35;
- have a regular sex life;
- use barrier contraception;
- ensure 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 competent treatment sometimes cost a woman's life.
