What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is defined by an increase in the number of very
abnormal cells within
the milk ducts and lobules of the breast. These cancer cells grow rapidly, and eventually they can
break out of the ducts or lobules into normal surrounding breast tissue, a process called
invasion or infiltration. Once the cells become invasive, they might spread beyond the
breast to lymph nodes and other organs via the bloodstream, a process referred to as metastasis.
How is breast cancer treated?
There are two types of treatment for breast cancer. The first type is referred
to as local therapy. Local therapy involves treating the breast tissue itself to lessen
the chance of recurrence. This treatment can be accomplished by either an approach called
breast conservation or an approach called mastectomy.
The second type of treatment is called systemic therapy. Systemic therapy uses drugs to
kill cancer cells that have already spread beyond the breast or come from large
tumors. The majority of individuals
with breast cancer benefit from both local and systemic treatment.
What is breast conservation treatment?
Breast conservation treatment preserves normal breast tissue while removing the
cancer. Breast conservation is effective only if the entire area of breast cancer can be
removed with an acceptable appearance afterward. Following removal of the cancer, the
remaining breast tissue is treated for several weeks with radiation therapy. However, some
recent information suggests a possible benefit of radiation therapy following mastectomy
for some individuals.
Why are lymph nodes removed?
Lymph nodes under the arm can be the first site where breast cancer spreads.
The only way to determine whether breast cancer has spread to the lymph nodes it to remove
and analyze them. Lymph node removal is reserved for individuals who have invasive breast
cancer, whether they have breast conservation or a mastectomy. Information from lymph node
analysis is used to determine which type of systemic therapy should follow the local
treatment. A new procedure called sentinel lymph node biopsy can be performed
instead in an effort
to remove fewer lymph nodes.
What is breast reconstruction?
Breast reconstruction is chosen by many individuals who have a mastectomy.
Breast reconstruction is accomplished by using either an expandable prosthesis or one's
own tissue, which is usually transferred from the lower abdomen. This latter procedure is
called a transverse myocutaneous flap (TRAM) procedure. Either type of reconstruction can
be done at the time of the mastectomy or at any time thereafter.