Breast Cancer Treatment in Pune
It is estimated that every 4 minutes, an Indian woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, and every 13 minutes, one of them passes away. And the leading cause for such high mortality rates is the fact that almost 50% of these patients get diagnosed in Stage 3, where the cancer tumor has spread to distant organs. Our breast cancer specialist in Pune suggests that most of these cases are completely treatable if diagnosed in the early stages.
Cancer is caused by a sudden mutation in cells that triggers rapid, uncontrolled cell division such that the existing cells do not die out as per cycle that leads to accumulation of tissue of mass growth at a particular site in the body.
Breast cancer starts in one or both breast tissues, most commonly in ducts that carry it to the nipple.
Treatment
Breast Cancer Types:
Breast cancers are generally categorized into two types:
1. Noninvasive Breast Cancers:
As the name suggests, these are cancers that remain within the part of the breast that they grow in and do not invade the adjacent tissues or organs. These types of cancers are highly treatable with relatively less tissue damage. A common condition where cancer cells grow within the milk ducts is Ductal Carcinoma In-Situ (DCIS).
2. Invasive Breast Cancers:
Here, the cancer cells grow in the breasts and spread to other organs, making it difficult to control and target. There are two of these types:
- Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC): The cancer cells grow in the milk ducts and spread to adjacent lymph nodes and organs. This is the most common type of cancer.
- Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC): The cancer cells grow in the lobules and invade adjacent tissues.
Symptoms
Breast cancers typically show no symptoms in the early stage, which is why our breast cancer surgeon in Pune recommends frequent screening tests for all women. Some common signs often include:
- A visible lump or thickening part within one of the breasts
- Swelling or red skin over the breasts
- Pain in either or both breasts
- Blood or other fluid discharges from the nipples
- Dimpling or stretching of breast skin
- Scaling or flaky skin over the breasts or nipples
- An unexpected change in the breast shape
- Inverting of nipples
- Lump or swelling in the underarms
If you observe any of the above problems, do not hesitate to see a breast surgeon in Pune for prompt diagnosis.
Diagnosis
Though the initial diagnosis starts with a physical examination, our oncologists may prescribe other tests to detect the presence of cancer cells, their location, or others aspects.
Breast Ultrasound: In this diagnostic method, waves are utilized to obtain a better picture on film.
Breast Mammogram: It is an X-Ray of breasts, usually done to discover any lump formation in the breasts.
MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging tests perform body parts scans to highlight the internal tissue structure of the breasts.
Biopsy: In a biopsy, tissues are extracted from cancer suspected areas of the breast and assessed under the microscope, or further tests are conducted to infer results.
Treatment
The doctor considers various factors such as stage, intensity, type of cancer, among others to offer a curated breast cancer treatment in Pune at Deccan Clinic. The treatments may include a combination of include:
- Minimally invasive surgeries
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted Drug Therapy
- Hormone treatment
One of the biggest reasons for the surge in breast cancer incidences is ignorance and lack of knowledge to assess our own body parts. Though most breast tumors are benign (non-cancerous), it is imperative to be knowledgeable about their symptoms and diagnose them in time to seek proper treatment. To know more about breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, reach out to our breast surgeon in Pune.