Early-stage breast cancer symptoms

Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
Updated on September 26, 2024
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Early-stage breast cancer may exhibit several symptoms. The first is the presence of breast lumps. The second symptom might be nipple discharge, which can be serous, watery, or milky in nature. The third symptom might involve changes in the skin over the breast tumor, including skin adhesion, such as dimpling, engorgement of superficial veins, skin reddening, localized increase in temperature, and an orange-peel texture. The fourth symptom includes abnormalities of the nipple and areola, potentially featuring nipple retraction, erosion of the nipple, thickening of the nipple epithelium, and reddening. The fifth symptom could be breast pain.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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How does one get breast cancer?

How is breast cancer caused? Regarding the causes of breast cancer, the primary factor should be family history. If a first-degree relative has breast cancer, then the likelihood of developing breast cancer increases. The second factor is reproductive factors; for instance, if the age at menarche is quite young, menopause age is relatively late, menstrual cycles are short, there is no childbirth or the age at first full-term pregnancy is older, there are fewer childbirths, and there is a lack of breastfeeding, then the incidence of breast cancer is also higher. The third factor involves hormones, possibly related to endogenous hormones or exogenous hormones, such as those mainly associated with oral contraceptives used externally. The fourth major point is a high-fat diet, or habits like drinking alcohol, smoking, and a diet low in vitamins, which may increase the risk of breast cancer. The fifth point involves other factors, such as exposure to significant amounts of ionizing radiation, chemicals from cancer drugs, lack of physical exercise, and occupations, such as working in the beauty industry or pharmaceutical manufacturing, etc., which may also increase the chances of developing breast cancer.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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Breast cancer chemotherapy regimen

Breast cancer chemotherapy regimen. Thus, chemotherapy occupies a very important position in the treatment of breast cancer. The commonly used chemotherapy drugs in breast cancer treatment include alkylating agents, such as cyclophosphamide; antimetabolites like fluorouracil, methotrexate, gemcitabine, and capecitabine; anthracyclines, such as doxorubicin and others. In recent years, taxanes, particularly docetaxel, have been used more frequently. Other drugs include mitomycin and cisplatin, among others. However, the specific chemotherapy regimen for breast cancer should be assessed by a professional oncologist. The regimen should consider the pathological stage, pathological type, whether surgery was performed, whether the surgery completely removed the tumor, lymph node metastasis, and other factors to devise a suitable chemotherapy plan. Therefore, it is possible that each individual might have a regimen that is specifically suited to their situation, and not all regimens are suitable for everyone.

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Written by Fan Hong Qiao
Breast Health Department
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Breast Cancer Self-Examination Method

Breast self-examination helps to detect changes in the breasts in a timely manner, and to discover breast diseases promptly. For instance, breast lumps are often found by patients themselves during self-examination. However, finding a breast lump does not necessarily mean it is breast cancer, as many conditions can present as breast lumps, such as the most common one, fibrocystic breast changes. Besides breast self-examination, early detection of breast cancer also relies on regular physical check-ups. It is recommended that women of childbearing age should develop the habit of regular breast self-examinations and routine physical check-ups, and consult a doctor promptly if abnormalities are found.

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Breast Surgery
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early symptoms of breast cancer

Breast cancer, in the majority of cases, manifests as a painless lump, often accidentally discovered by the patient without any adverse discomfort. During self-examinations or routine screenings, a few patients might detect them. These lumps are commonly found in the upper outer quadrant, typically appearing as a single lesion on one side, with no obvious abnormalities on the skin. Dimpling, an orange-peel-like texture, the appearance of satellite nodules in later stages, nipple retraction, bloody discharge, and eczema-like changes can be observed. There is also swelling of regional lymph nodes.

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Written by Zhang Chao Jie
Breast Surgery
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Breast Cancer Metastasizes to Which Locations

Breast cancer metastasis generally follows the following sites due to its anatomical structure and specific characteristics. The most common sites are the axilla, the contralateral breast, the contralateral axilla, and the areas above and below the clavicle, which is also known as the pipa bone, referring to the areas above and below the pipa bone. As for distant organs, based on the frequency or likelihood of occurrence, the most common are the lungs, bones, liver, and the brain, specifically within the head. These are referred to as the lungs, bones, liver, and head, which are the places most prone to distant organ metastasis.