Breast cancer’s full name is malignant breast neoplasm. Breast cancer is a common cancer among women, occurs rarely in men, and is not a threat to children. It is a cancer that starts in the tissue of the breast. Breast cancer is the result of abnormal cell growth within the breast.
There are two main types of breast cancer, which are ductal carcinoma and lobular carcinoma. Ductal carcinoma breast cancer starts in the tubes that move milk from the breast to the nipple. Lobular carcinoma breast cancer starts in the part of the breasts, called lobules that produce milk. Most cases are ductal carcinoma.
Symptoms of breast cancer include breast lumps, change in the size shape of feel of the breast or nipple, and fluid coming from the nipple. More advanced cases of breast cancer symptoms may include bone pain, breast pain or discomfort, skin ulcers, swelling of one arm (next to the breast with cancer), and weight loss. If any of these symptoms occur, people should immediately see a doctor for further testing.
The treatment needed for breast cancer is to have the tumor removed from the body. The treatment all depends on what stage the breast cancer is. Stage 1 cancers are generally treated with lumpectomy and sometimes radiation. Stage 2 and 3 breast cancers are treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and sometimes radiation. Stage 4 breast cancer is usually treated with a various combination of all treatments from surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and targeted