Cancer is a dangerous disease, as it often occurs without clinical manifestations and is often detected only at severe stages of the disease. Oncology of the breast develops from cells of the epithelium lining the milk ducts or from the glandular tissue.
Signs of cancer of the breast
Among the signs of oncology of the breast, one can identify the main one, which consists in the detection of compaction in the breast. The presence of "cone" in the chest is always alarming. After all, it can be both benign education and cancer.
In the initial stage of an oncological neoplasm, as a rule, there is only a round, painless compaction in the chest. Its feature is immobility when trying to shift. This is due to infiltration of surrounding tissues. With a large tumor size, the difference between the healthy and the affected gland becomes noticeable. The breasts may become deformed. Other symptoms of breast cancer include the following:
- The discharge of blood from the nipple occurs with a tumor from the ductal epithelium, which is in the stage of decay.
- Changes in the nipple. These can be ulceration (especially characteristic of Paget's cancer). Also, there can be a constant, fixed retraction of the nipple. Such a symptom may be the first sign of a tumor located under the nipple.
- Symptom of "lemon peel". In severe cases, the outflow of lymph from the gland is disturbed. Due to this, a kind of edema is formed, in which the skin becomes a kind of skin of citrus fruits.
- Symptom of umbiliculation. Due to the tightening of the ligaments of the mammary gland to the tumor, the skin is drawn into the place above the pathological focus.
- Edema of the breast is characteristic for edematous cancer.
- The enlargement of the axillary lymph nodes, even if there is a small formation in the mammary gland, should lead to the idea of an oncological process. It is also important to palpate the lymph nodes located above and below the clavicle.
- Oncology of the mammary gland at the 4th stage is accompanied by the presence of metastatic screening of tumor cells in various organs. Most often the lungs and bones are affected.
Treatment and rehabilitation in the presence of oncology of the breast
For many oncology, or breast cancer, it sounds like a verdict. But for today there is an opportunity for a radical removal of the oncologic focus with complete recovery. Effective treatment of breast cancer means surgical removal of the tumor. In addition, they use chemotherapy, radiotherapy and the administration of hormonal drugs.
For the purpose of rehabilitation and further treatment of patients with oncological diseases of the breast, a dispensary observation is indicated. First, the examination is conducted once every three months, then less often - every six months. When mastectomy , that is, when removing the gland, shows the use of special prostheses.
Disability in oncology of the breast is established in the following cases:
- after surgery
in patients with a lost ability to work in the professions of manual labor; - in the presence of complications associated with the operation;
- with a doubtful prognosis for recovery in the presence of a widespread tumor process;
- with relapse of the tumor;
- during the course of chemotherapy or radiation therapy;
- severe course, with an incurable stage of the disease.
For the timely detection of breast cancer, it is necessary to undergo an annual mammography or ultrasound scan of the mammary glands. And if you have the first signs of breast cancer, you need to contact a mammologist.