Introduction: Pathophysiology of breast cancer. Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that happens in the breast. It may happen in one or both of the breasts. The breast consists of glands, ducts, and fatty tissue.
Breast makes and delivers the milk to feed newborns in women. Breast cancer is metastatic Cancer caused in various parts of the breast, such as ducts, nipple, blood, and lymph vessels.
You will learn about the genetic and external factors of the pathophysiology of breast cancer in this article. Breast cancer occurs due to BRCA1 genetic mutation. Breast cancer occurs more in women than men.
Let’s know more about Pathophysiology of breast cancer.
Pathophysiology of breast cancer
Breast cancer occurs due to contact between an environmental factor and a dangerous host. Normal cells divide many times as they need before stopping. They remain in tissues for a long time. When cells lose the energy to stop dividing, they adhere to other cells and die at a reasonable moment. These cells finally become malignant.
Cells have protected from programmed cell death by various protein clusters. One of the best protecting pathways is the PI3K/AKT pathway. The second is the RAS/MEK/ ERK pathway. The PTEN protein turns off the PI3K/ AKT pathway when the cell is ready for programmed cell death.
- Many breast malignancies arise from epithelial cells.
- Microscopic appearance divides breast carcinomas into different diverse groups.
- Based upon the growth pattern, the in situ carcinomas of the breast divide into ductal or lobular.
- Their anatomic location is within the mammary ductal-lobular system.
Microscopic Pathology
Microscopic histopathological analysis and pleomorphic are characteristic findings of high-grade breast cancers. Microscopic description of breast tumors shown below:
Tubular formations are apparent in well-differentiated tumors but absent in differentiated tumors, Sheets, nests, cords, or individual cells. Stroma may obscure tumor cells. Tumor cells are more pleomorphic than lobular carcinoma. Calcification in 60% of cases, variable necrosis. Elastosis involves the wall of vessels and ducts
- Mitotic figures are often prominent
- Mast cells have associated with low-grade tumors.
- No myoepithelial cell lining (as seen in DCIS or benign lesions)
- Breast Cancer estimation, Types of Breast Cancer
The following are the main types of breast cancer.
A breast cancer type has determined by the distinct cells in the breast that become Cancer.
- Ductal carcinoma
Most breast cancers are tumors that initiate in the epithelial cells that lie in organs and tissues throughout the body. These tumors had called carcinomas.
Carcinomas form in the breast and are usually a more distinct type called adenocarcinoma. which starts in cells in the lobules (glands in the breast that make milk).
- In situ vs. invasive breast cancers
The type of breast cancer can also render to whether Cancer has spread. In situ breast cancer is a pre-cancer that starts in a milk duct. The term invasive (or infiltrating) breast cancer had used to show any breast cancer that has spread into the surrounding breast tissue.
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
Ductal carcinoma in situ also known as intraductal carcinoma) pre-invasive breast cancer.
- Invasive breast cancer
Invasive breast cancer has spread into the breast tissue. The most usual types are invasive ductal carcinoma and invasive lobular carcinoma. Invasive ductal carcinoma causes about 70-80% of all breast cancers.
Particular types of invasive breast cancers
Some invasive breast cancers develop in different ways that cause their treatment. These cancers are less common and more severe than other types of breast cancer.
- Triple-negative breast cancer
Triple-negative breast cancer is a distinct type of invasive breast cancer. Cancer cells don’t have progesterone receptors and don’t make a large amount of the protein called HER2. The cell test becomes negative in all three tests. It refers to about 15% of all breast cancers and is challenging to treat.
- Inflammatory breast cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer is a type of invasive breast cancer. In this type, cancer cells block lymph vessels in the skin and cause the breast to look “inflamed.” It accounts for about 1% to 5% of all breast cancers.
Symptoms of breast cancer
Symptoms of breast cancer may include:
- A breast thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue
- Change in the shape, size, or appearance of a breast
- Dimpling on the breast
- An inverted nipple
- Peeling, crusting, or flaking of the pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple
- Redness of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange
Risk factors of breast cancer
The leading cause of breast cancer is still unknown. Some risk factors include age, gender, body mass index, alcohol use, dense breast, family history, and genetic factors. It also includes the use of hormone replacement therapies and postmenopausal therapy etc. Breast cancer is more occurs in Women.
BRCA1 genetic mutation inheritance cause breast cancer. Women with these conditions have also been diagnosed with breast cancer. It may happen in the bilateral breast at a younger age and ovarian Cancer.
Diagnosis of breast cancer
- PET: This type of nuclear imaging has associated with Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and involves delivering images. It also identifies the anatomic location of abnormal metabolic activity inside the breasts.
- Mammogram: It is an x-ray examination used to diagnose the breasts.
- Breast ultrasound: It utilizes sound waves to detect the abnormalities inside the breasts. It can assist in determining breast lumps as a cyst.
- Breast MRI: Radiofrequency pulses will generate detailed pictures of the breasts during breast MRI. It helps examine breast lumps in women with dense breast tissue.
Treatment of breast cancer
Treatment varies from person to person depending on the size, shape, type of tumor, and growth rate. Treatment may include mastectomy (removing the entire breast) and sentinel node biopsy.
Other treatments may include radiation therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy drugs.
Prevention
Changing individual daily life may help decrease the risk of breast cancer. It includes:
- Become familiar with your breasts through breast self-diagnose for breast awareness.
- Less intake of alcohol.
- Exercise most days of the week.
- Limit postmenopausal hormone therapy.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
Conclusion: Pathophysiology of breast cancer
Breast cancer is a type of malignancy in women. It is not easy to prevent because the causes are unknown. Many risk factors had examined, including alcohol use, use of hormone replacement therapies, and obesity.
It also includes a history of Cancer, radiation exposure, and postmenopausal therapy and Screening programs implemented for early tumor detection. Early detection of tumors leads to enhance treatment options.
Also read: Risk factors of Breast Cancer; Why breast cancer happens; Stage Zero Breast Cancer-0.
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