Breast cancer forms when cells in the mammary glands grow uncontrollably, and while it’s most commonly seen in women, men can develop it as well.
The World Health Organization notes that breast cancer originates in the cells lining the ducts (85%) or lobules (15%) of the breast’s glandular tissue.
Dr. Christian Patricio Camacho Limas, internal medicine specialist and medical oncologist at ABC Medical Center, explains that diagnosis typically happens in one of two ways.
The first is when a person notices a change in the breast themselves, such as a lump, bleeding, a change in skin texture or color, or unexplained nipple discharge. The second is preclinical detection, through imaging tests such as a mammogram or breast ultrasound.
Regardless of how it’s detected, the patient will need one or more treatments to fight the disease.
Surgery
Surgical oncology varies depending on each patient’s specific case. It can be conservative surgery, where only part of the breast is removed, or radical surgery, known as a mastectomy, where the entire breast gland is removed, either on one side or both, depending on the case.
Chemotherapy
This is the standard treatment for certain types of breast cancer, although it’s not used in every case. It can be given as adjuvant therapy (after surgery) or neoadjuvant therapy (before surgery).
Radiation Therapy
Using radioactive energy, this treatment targets the tumor site directly. However, patients must meet specific criteria to be candidates for this treatment, which is typically divided into 20 to 30 sessions.
Hormone Therapy
Since some types of breast cancer are influenced by hormones such as progesterone or estrogen, this therapy aims to prevent these hormones from fueling tumor growth. For this reason, only patients with hormone receptor-positive tumors are candidates for this treatment.
Targeted Therapy
This treatment uses medications designed to target a specific characteristic found in cancer cells.
Monoclonal Antibodies
Monoclonal antibodies bind to specific targets, helping stop cancer cell growth.
Immunotherapy
This treatment aims to boost the person’s immune system, making it more effective and helping the body fight cancer cells on its own.
Since every case of breast cancer is different, the oncologist must consider the specific characteristics of both the tumor and the patient to determine the most appropriate treatment or combination of treatments to fight the disease, notes Dr. Camacho.
At ABC Medical Center’s Cancer Center, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
