How is breast cancer treated?

Written by Gong Chun

Oncology

Updated on September 04, 2024

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For the comprehensive treatment of malignant (breast cancer), it needs to be specifically addressed based on case analysis, considering the patient's physical condition, economic factors, and other circumstances. There isn't a one-size-fits-all treatment plan suitable for everyone, as each case requires specific analysis. The treatment options for breast cancer include, firstly, surgery, which can be either a mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery, depending on lymph node metastasis and pathological staging. The second option includes radiation therapy, the third is endocrine therapy, the fourth is chemotherapy, the fifth is targeted therapy, and the sixth and subsequent options may include immunotherapy.

Other Voices

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Written by Zhang Chao Jie

Breast Surgery

1min 6sec

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Breast cancer IIA is stage 2.

Breast cancer stage IIa is considered early stage. Breast cancer is classified into stages 0, I, IIa, IIb, III, and IV. Stage III is further divided into IIIa, IIIb, and IIIc. Strictly speaking, breast cancers at stage IIa and earlier are considered early-stage breast cancer, while stage III is considered locally advanced breast cancer, including IIIa, IIIb, and IIIc, and stage IV is considered advanced breast cancer. However, since most operable breast cancers, which include up to stage IIIa (stages 0, I, II, and including IIIa), generally have favorable treatment outcomes, many research institutions and medical organizations in Western countries define all stages up to IIIa as early-stage breast cancer. Therefore, breast cancer stage IIa is classified as early-stage cancer.

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Written by Lin Yang

Breast Surgery

37sec

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early symptoms of breast cancer

Breast cancer commonly occurs in the upper outer quadrant of the breast, with a hard, stone-like texture, mostly presenting as solitary masses that can be round, oval, or irregular in shape. These tumors have limited mobility and tend to adhere to the skin and surrounding tissues. However, the size of the mass does not change with menstrual cycles or emotional fluctuations, and it can grow rapidly in a short period. It predominantly affects middle-aged and elderly women. Additionally, mammography can reveal tiny calcifications, abnormal vascular patterns, and spiculated changes.

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Written by Lin Yang

Breast Surgery

41sec

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Types of breast cancer surgery

Breast cancer surgery types are generally still dominated by modified radical mastectomy. Modified radical mastectomy can be divided into two types; one preserves both the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor muscles, and the other removes the pectoralis minor muscle but preserves the pectoralis major muscle. Another option is breast-conserving surgery, which is feasible for tumors smaller than three centimeters and at least two centimeters away from the nipple. Nowadays, sentinel lymph node biopsy has become popular. If it proves that the sentinel lymph node has no metastasis, a single mastectomy can be performed.

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Written by Lin Yang

Breast Surgery

36sec

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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 Fan Hong Qiao

Breast Health Department

1min 13sec

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Differences between Breast Hyperplasia and Breast Cancer

Both breast hyperplasia and breast cancer can present as breast lumps. The lumps in breast hyperplasia are generally softer or of medium hardness, often occurring bilaterally with multiple lumps of varying sizes. They may appear nodular, plaque-like, or granular, are quite mobile, and have no adhesion to surrounding tissues. The size and characteristics of the lumps commonly change with the menstrual cycle and emotional fluctuations, and they tend to grow slowly, predominantly affecting young and middle-aged women. In contrast, breast cancer lumps are generally harder, usually unilateral and solitary. These lumps may be round, oval, or irregular in shape, can grow quite large, have limited mobility, and tend to adhere to the skin and surrounding tissues. The lumps are not related to the menstrual cycle or emotional changes, can increase in size rapidly over a short period, and are more commonly seen in middle-aged and older women. Sometimes breast cancer can be confused with breast hyperplasia, necessitating a hospital visit for examination and diagnostic differentiation by a doctor.