After puberty, the female breasts consist mostly of fat and connective tissue, with thousands of lobules, which contain milk-producing glands and tiny tubes that carry the milk toward the nipple. When the cells in these structures become cancerous, they can travel throughout the body and spread throughout the lymph system. Some causes of breast cancer are genetic mutations and estrogen exposure, and others are inherited. The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes may also be associated with breast cancer. The immune system of healthy people attacks the growths and DNA that are abnormal.
While the causes of breast cancer are not known, experts agree that some factors are linked to a higher risk of developing it. Women older than 50, genetic factors, and personal health history are known to increase the risk. Diet is another factor, especially for women with a family history of cancer. African-American women have a higher risk of developing breast cancer, especially before menopause. The density of breast tissue also makes it difficult for a mammogram to detect the tumors.
A biopsy of suspicious tissue is performed. This test will determine the extent of cancer and whether any lymph nodes are involved. In some cases, a patient will undergo more than one procedure. If one or more of the steps above are not helpful, a doctor may suggest treatment options for you based on the results of a biopsy. However, it is important to note that some cancers cannot be detected by biopsy alone. The healthcare provider may decide to remove breast tissue from the affected area and send it to a pathology lab for analysis.
Stage I and stage II breast cancers are typically less than two centimeters in size. They may have spread to nearby lymph nodes and the chest wall. If the tumors have spread further, stage III cancers may also affect the lymph nodes of the chest. And in stage IV, the cancer may have spread to other organs in the body. Although this cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and the lungs, it remains an incurable condition.
Although a biopsy does not provide a definitive diagnosis of breast cancer, it can be an important part of treatment if it spreads to other parts of the body. A biopsy is a procedure that removes a small amount of breast tissue by means of a needle. The tissue is examined by a pathologist, who will then analyze the samples to determine whether the cancer is HER2 or hormone receptor-positive. It is also important to note that a biopsy can be painful.
The most common form of breast cancer is invasive ductal carcinoma, which originates in the milk ducts and then penetrates the surrounding fatty tissue. About 80% of all cases of breast cancer are invasive ductal carcinoma. Invasive cancer is also known as ductal carcinoma in situ. It is usually in the same stage as DCIS and is often treated successfully with timely care. However, if it spreads, it becomes invasive.
