With around one million new cases per year, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Men can also be affected, but very rarely. About one percent of breast cancer cases occur in men. Nowadays, many patients can be cured if the tumor is detected early enough.
Find out more about the chances of recovery and treatment methods for breast cancer and find selected breast cancer specialists here.
Breast cancer, also known as mammary carcinoma, is a malignant tumor of the breast.
Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in women. In Germany, around one in nine women will develop breast cancer in the course of her life. Over 70,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in Germany every year.
The female mammary gland (breast) consists of
The glandular tissue is made up of glandularlobules. They produce breast milk and flow into the milkducts.
The structure of the female breast © bilderzwerg | AdobeStock
Breast cancer is divided into different forms depending on where it originates,
originate. There are also some rare special forms. Breast tumors are also classified according to
Unfortunately, the exact cause of breast cancer is still unknown. However, a number of risk factors are known. Women have a higher risk of breast cancer
Women who breastfeed, on the other hand, have a lower risk of developing breast cancer.
It used to be assumed that certain hormone replacement therapies also increased the risk of breast cancer. An outdated American study came to this conclusion. However, the study was based on excessively high doses and inferior hormone preparations. This study has since been refuted.
Correctly administered hormone replacement therapy does not increase the risk of breast cancer.
Every woman should regularly examine her own breasts for changes. If you notice
you should see your gynecologist immediately.
Unfortunately, breast cancer does not always cause symptoms. Some breast cancers can therefore only be detected using
can be diagnosed.
Breast cancer can be treated well if the tumor is detected early. The chances of recovery are significantly reduced with larger tumors or if the lymph nodes are affected.
This is why cancer screening is so important. Make sure you take advantage of all the preventive examinations offered by your health insurance company. Between the ages of 50 and 69, cancer prevention also includes mammography screenings.
Performing a mammogram © RFBSIP | AdobeStock
Most women's clinics and their interdisciplinary breast centers offer breast consultations. Here, patients can be examined and advised by specialists. In most cases, gynecologists or radiologists in private practice refer their breast cancer patients to such a consultation.
In addition to a detailed discussion of the personal history(anamnesis), an extended breast cancer diagnosis is carried out. This includes
The specialists assess the mammography images brought along or arrange for further special imaging examinations.
A tissue sample is often takenas part of the ultrasound examination(breast biopsy). Tissue cylinders are removed using a high-speed punch biopsy under local anesthesia.
If the diagnosis of breast cancer is confirmed, the next steps are discussed in a personal consultation.
This also includes a series of examinations to check
The principle of surgical treatment is the complete removal of the tumor from the breast. In most cases, the cancer can be removed using breast-conserving surgery. The tumor is removed with a safety margin of healthy tissue.
In rare cases, however, it is still necessary to remove the entire breast(mastectomy), for example in the case of
During breast cancer surgery, the sentinel lymph node in the armpit of the affected side is also removed. For this purpose, dye or radioactive substances are injected into the area around the node or in the area of the nipple. This allows the lymph node to be marked and removed more easily.
The lymph node is examined in the laboratory for the presence of cancer cells. This procedure is known as checking the sent inel lymph nodes.
The first lymph node in the drainage area of a tumor is called the sentinel lymph node (sentinel = sentinel). It "guards" the other lymph nodes in the armpit.
This allows doctors to draw conclusions about the spread of the cancer. If the sentinel lymph node is free of cancer cells, the other armpit lymph nodes are also not affected. However, if the sentinel lymph node also has cancer cells, further lymph nodes in the armpit must be removed.
Today, so-called oncoplastic techniques are used in all surgical procedures. These techniques combine cancer surgery with the principles of plastic surgery.
As a result, beautiful cosmetic results can often be achieved even after extensive breast surgery. Techniques are also used in which the opposite side is adjusted, for example in tumor-adapted reduction plastic surgery.
The removal of a breast is not a fate that you have to resign yourself to. Reconstruction can be carried out with the patient's own tissue or with a prosthesis. The nipple can also be rebuilt.
The form of breast reconstruction depends on the patient's wishes as well as the physical conditions and the planned treatment. The doctor discusses this question individually with each patient and works out a tailor-made concept with her.
Breast cancer is a curable disease as long as it has not affected any other organs. However, chemotherapy is often necessary to achieve this cure. This involves the intravenous administration of drugs that prevent tumor cells from dividing and growing.
These drugs also affect the rest of the body, which is why the therapy also has side effects, e.g.
However, many side effects can now be prevented so well that they hardly ever occur. The therapy is usually carried out on an outpatient basis
are carried out.
Beforehand, the doctors usually insert a small valve, a so-called port. The medication can be administered easily and gently via this port.
It is often clear from the punch biopsy or the spread of the tumor that chemotherapy is necessary. In this case, chemotherapy is usually administered before the breast cancer operation. This is known as neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
This reduces the size of the tumor and makes it easier to operate on the breast cancer.
The effectiveness of the chemotherapy is checked at regular intervals. The therapy is successful if the tumor actually shrinks.
Many tumors are sensitive to hormones. They have so-called hormone receptors. Pathologists determine whether the tumor responds to hormones during a histological examination of the cancer tissue.
Hormone-sensitive breast carcinomas can also be treated with anti-hormones. In women before the menopause, tamoxifen is the main drug used. Sometimes oncologists also use drugs that cause an artificial menopause.
Women after the menopause are also often treated with tamoxifen. However, they should also receive an aromatase inhibitor in a fixed rotation. Many patients are also treated with aromatase inhibitors alone.
Anti-hormone therapies also have side effects, which must be discussed in detail depending on the combination and substance. However, these side effects are not comparable to those of chemotherapy.
Anti-hormone therapy usually lasts five years and begins after chemotherapy. It is prescribed by gynecologists in private practice, who also provide follow-up care.
The pathologists also examine the tumor for specific target sites for an antibody, the HER2-neu receptor. If the tumor is sensitive enough, treatment with antibodies may also be useful in addition to chemotherapy.
This also involves outpatient infusions.
Oncologists often recommend radiotherapy of the surgical site after breast cancer surgery. The high-dose radiation removes any remaining tumor cells. Certain sites of lymphatic drainage must be irradiated if many lymph nodes are affected.
Radiotherapy is carried out on an outpatient basis every working day. It usually lasts up to six weeks.
Side effects are mainly local skin and tissue reactions. Some patients also feel restricted in their ability to work.
Follow-up care is carried out by gynecologists in private practice. They adhere to fixed schedules. Aftercare consists of
Further examinations and tumor marker determinations may also be part of the follow-up care.
A cancer diagnosis is a drastic experience and causes anxiety and worry for many of those affected. For this reason, support from specially trained psychologists, so-called psycho-oncologists, is also part of cancer treatment.
This support often helps to regain a positive view of the future in this difficult situation.
There are also clinics with nursing staff specially trained in the care of breast cancer patients (breast nurses).
A breast center is a clinical area consisting of cooperating interdisciplinary clinics and, if applicable, doctors in private practice, which specializes in
of all diseases of the female - and in rarer cases also male - breast.
In a breast center, different medical specialties work together on an interdisciplinary basis, including
This close cooperation between different specialist areas means that patients can receive optimal care. All treatment decisions are made jointly at regular tumor conferences.
The German Cancer Societies and the German Society for Senology certify quality-assured breast centers. They look at various criteria, such as the cases treated and the experience of the doctors. These "breast centers" must undergo certification by expert committees.
This means that treatment in a certified breast center is comparable and of a high standard.
The Leading Medicine Guide's quality assurance is ensured by the following acceptance prerequisites.
