Breast Cancer Treatment at Emory
Breast cancer has recently become a major issue in today’s society. But what exactly is breast cancer? It can best be described as a collection of cells that are growing and dividing in various parts of the breast and breast tissue. It usually starts in either the mammary ducts or the lobules. Its growth rate is very slow and it can take up to 10 years before a lump is actually detectable by a self examination. However just because you have a lump does not necessarily mean you have invasive cancer. In addition to invasive cancer, a lump could also be a type of carcinoma in situ, it is very important to understand the difference between these lump causing diseases.
Carcinoma in situ is a disease in which abnormal cell growth occurs either in the mammary ducts or the lobules, but has not spread to surrounding breast tissues. The term “in situ” actually means “in place” which is obviously reflects the stationary nature of the abnormal cells. Ductal (DCIS)and lobular(LCIS) carcinoma in situ are the two sub-categories of this disease.
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) occurs in the mammary ducts where abnormal cell growth is found. The excess cells in the mammary ducts are very similar to invasive cancer cells and have the potential to develop into invasive cancer eventually. It is due to this fact that early detection is so vital. Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) occurs when there is abnormal cell growth in the open space of the lobules. LCIS differs from DCIS because of the type of cells that are growing ? they do not have the potential to develop into cancer. However, women with LCIS have a significantly higher risk for developing invasive cancer.
When the abnormal cell growth occurs in the open spaces of the lobules it is called lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). This is different from DCIS because it is in a different area and the cells do not have the potential to grow into invasive cancer. However, it has been proven that women who have LCIS are at higher risk of having invasive cancer.
Upon discovering a lump (by feeling or mammogram), most women suspect it to be breast cancer. This is not usually the case, but the only way to know for sure is to have follow-up tests and/or a biopsy. Follow-up tests provide additional information about the suspicious area by using advanced imaging techniques such as mammograms or ultrasound. A biopsy consists of removing cells from the abnormal area and examining them under a microscope to determine an accurate prognosis.
If a woman finds a lump, it is extremely important to get it checked out, the odds of it being invasive cancer is about 20%. She can do this by either getting a mammogram or a biopsy. The mammogram will provide additional information about the size and severity of the tumor. And if necessary, a biopsy will be taken, which can give a physician definitive answers on what type of cancer and its severity.
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