ABC Medical Center > Breast cancer

What is Breast cancer?

13:33 - 9 April , 2021

Disease

As all cancers, it originates when abnormal cells begin to develop disorderly In this case, it is possible that it starts in different areas of the breast such as the ducts, lobules, or surrounding tissue. 

The lobules are responsible for producing milk and the ducts for carrying it to the nipples.

Most breast cancers originate in these parts, although it is possible that they spread to other localized areas of the body by invading the circulatory and lymphatic systems. When it spreads it causes metastasis.

Most common breast cancers:

  • Ductal carcinoma: appears in the breast ducts and usually remains within the breast, although it may metastasize.
  • Lobular carcinoma: starts in the lobules and can spread to other areas of the breast or metastasize.

Signs and symptoms Breast cancer

They are different in each person, but the most frequent are:

  • Breast or armpit lump.
  • Swelling or sinking in the breast or nipple.
  • Changes in color or dryness in the breast.
  • Abnormal discharge from the nipple.
  • Changes in breast shape.
  • Localized pain.

These symptoms can also occur with other conditions, not just cancer. But, if you identify any, see immediately your ABC doctor.

Diagnostic studies 

To detect it, tests such as ultrasound, mammography, MRI of the breasts, and breast tissue biopsy are usually performed. 

Diagnosis and treatment Breast cancer

If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, we will perform other tests to find out if the cancer remains in the breast or has spread. The type and stage of the cancer indicate which treatment you require, but more than one is usually necessary:

  • Surgery: the tumor is removed.
  • Chemotherapy: medicines are used to destroy cancer cells.
  • Radiation therapy: radiation is used to attack cancer cells.
  • Hormonal therapy: blocks the production of hormones required by cancer cells for their development.
  • Biological therapy: strengthens the immune system to eliminate cancer cells.

At ABC Medical Center, doctors from different specialties work together to treat breast cancer, so a highly specialized team of surgeons, oncologists, and radiologist oncologists will treat you with the warmth and humane treatment that sets us apart.

Benefits

Radiotherapy: we are pioneers in Mexico in specialized techniques with modulated intensity and high-rate brachytherapy with 3D technology.

We have the best specialists, state-of-the-art equipment, and quality and safety systems with less aggressive, shorter, and personalized treatments in order to protect nearby organs and minimize side effects. Depending on the treatment you require, you can reduce the number of sessions, thus reducing the respective costs.

Chemotherapy: we have more than eight years of experience providing chemotherapy schemes and innovative drugs on an outpatient basis, following care protocols that guarantee the quality and safety of treatments in a comfortable and private environment.

Risks

Chemotherapy side effects:

  • Tiredness.
  • Hair loss.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Lack of appetite.
  • Constipation.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Tendency to bruise and bleed.
  • Infections.
  • Anemia.
  • Ulcerations in the mouth, tongue, and throat.
  • Hypersensitivity in muscles and nerves.
  • Skin dryness.
  • Urinary and kidney problems.
  • Weight loss.
  • Lack of attention and memory.
  • Changing mood.
  • Lack of sexual desire.
  • Infertility.

On the other hand, the most common side effects of radiation therapy include:

  • Irritation, dryness, itching, peeling, blistering, and skin discoloration. 
  • Fatigue.
  • Breast tenderness.
  • Breast swelling due to fluid buildup (lymphedema).

Related centers and departments

ABC Cancer Center
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes: 

  • mayoclinic.org
  • cancer.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • cancer.net
  • medigraphic.com
  • Zapata-Julián P, Garza-Montemayor M, Avendaño-Avalos DB. Evaluación preoperatoria con ultrasonido de los ganglios axilares en la paciente con diagnóstico reciente de cáncer de mama . Anales de Radiología México. 2018;17(2):85-92.
  • Bonilla-Sepúlveda ÓA. Efectividad de la mamografía como prueba de tamizaje para reducir la mortalidad por cáncer de mama: revisión sistemática. Medicina & Laboratorio. 2014;20(11-12):555-574.
  • Rivero-Morey RJ, Bordón-González LM, Rivero-Morey J, et al. Caracterización de mujeres con riesgo de cáncer de mama. Universidad Médica Pinareña. 2019;15(3):338-348.

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    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.