What is a Carcinoma of the Breast?

A carcinoma of the breast, also known as a breast cancer, is a malignant tumor originating from the abnormal development cells in the breast tissue. Though it is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in women, men may also develop a carcinoma of the breast. Treatment options are dependent on the individual and the extent, or staging, of the carcinoma.

Originating with the abnormal development of epithelial cells, there is no known single cause for the development of a carcinoma of the breast. It has been asserted that heredity and environment contribute to its development. Women who have a family history of breast and other forms cancer may be at an increased risk of developing a carcinoma of the breast. Additional risk factors associated with the development of this disease include obesity, early onset menstruation, and delayed menopause. Post-menopausal women who have taken synthetic hormone medications are also at an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

Carcinomas of the breast are generally detected during routine mammography testing. Other tests used to diagnose breast cancer include ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Once a carcinoma has been discovered, a biopsy is conducted to confirm the malignancy of the tumor and determine its stage.

Following a diagnosis, the extent of the carcinoma of the breast is determined to establish treatment options. Procedures used to ascertain staging usually include a complete blood count (CBC), a chest X-ray, and a positron emission tomography (PET) scan. Tests conducted to verify staging are dependent on individual cases and physician discretion. The staging of carcinomas ranges from zero to four; a stage zero is a non-invasive carcinoma that is very small in size, while a stage four is considered a metastatic breast cancer that has spread throughout the body.

Treatment is individually-based, and dependent on type and stage of the cancer, the overall health of the individual, and hormone sensitivity of the carcinoma. Individual judgment is also used to determine a therapy regimen. Second opinions are recommended prior to deciding upon a treatment plan. Breast surgery is generally performed in order to remove the tumor and determine whether or not the cancer has spread.

A lumpectomy is a surgical procedure frequently employed to remove the malignant tumor and a portion of the surrounding tissue. When all the breast tissue is removed, the procedure is referred to as a mastectomy. In drastic cases, a mastectomy may include the removal of the muscular tissue within the chest wall and lymph nodes in the armpit. Other forms of breast cancer surgery include the removal of single or multiple lymph nodes as a means of determining whether the cancer has metastasized. Complications are dependent on the type of surgery pursued, although all forms carry a risk of infection and excessive bleeding.

Treatment for a carcinoma of the breast may involve a combination of radiation and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy involves the administration of high-powered, concentrated energy to eliminate cancer cells. Side effects associated with radiation therapy may include fatigue and redness or rash at the administration site. Chemotherapy utilizes drugs to target and eradicate cancerous cells. Individuals undergoing chemotherapy may experience adverse effects including vomiting, fever, and an increased susceptibility to infection.

Drug therapies may also be utilized during therapy. Individuals with hormone-sensitive cancers may undergo hormone therapy, which includes medications which stop ovarian hormone production, or inhibit the body's ability to produce estrogen, known as aromatase inhibitors. Targeted drugs may be employed, which are designed to be abnormality-specific and only attack certain cancer cells. Side effects associated with these drug therapies are dependent on the individual, the type of medication prescribed, and dosage.