Do I need to treat breast cancer stage 4?

If there is a possibility, you should always carry out the treatment of breast cancer. Although statistics show that average life expectancy does not change, but in some patients the life may significantly increase. The Rule of average numbers said: «I ate two lunches, while others - not one, but on average we ate each one for dinner ».

Unfortunately, not always, we can organize an effective treatment. The restrictions usually associated with a serious condition of patient’s immobility and inability to move. Most modern drugs for hormonotherapy are unavailable.

What is the main treatment method of metastatic breast cancer?

The main way to treat metastatic breast cancer is a medical technique. It involves the use of drugs (chemotherapy) and drugs for hormonotherapy. As for the treatment of breast cancer 1-3 stage (see breast cancer staging), and with breast cancer of 4-th stage - uses the same drugs. Modes differ only by the introduction and duration of treatment.

Hormonotherapy or chemotherapy?

With metastases breast cancer is preferred the least toxic type of treatment. That is hormonotherapy. However hormonotherapy can not be used in all cases. If there are negative receptors for estrogen(ER) and progesterone (PR) the likelihood of improvement is less than ten percent.

Is there surgery while metastasis breast cancer?

Yes, there can be surgery, but the goal of surgical intervention – the elimination of complications of bladder cancer. For example, the removal of the breast can be performed with the disintegrating tumor, bleeding from the tumor expressed intoxication related to the tumor.

What is the role of radiotherapy in the treatment of metastatic cancer?

Radiation therapy is used to eliminate pain syndrome caused by metastatic tumors in bone.

How long does the treatment for metastatic cancer last?

Usually follow tactics: «until the treatment is effective and it does not limit with the toxic effects». There is another approach - to carry out treatment to maximum effect, plus two courses. The treatment may last from several months to several years.

How is estimated the effectiveness of treatment?

The effectiveness of the treatment is evaluated by means of inspection, X-ray methods (mammography, radiography, computed tomography, etc.), using ultrasound, etc.

While survey carried out calculation of how decreased or increased the size of the tumor after treatment. There are several gradations of tumor response to treatment - the progression, stabilization, partial regression, complete regression (complete disappearance of tumor).

Unfortunately, when a woman learns that she diagnosed with breast cancer, the first thing she asked her treating doctor: «How much do I live?» Why do many people do not know that this disease is well treated?

Incidentally, there is much proof of that. Anyway ladies continue to perceive the disease as a ticket to the next world. So, why not look to women who have the courage of a fist, and coped with breast cancer? To do this, try to look into the eyes of the truth, after all that we hear about breast cancer, there are a lot of myths.

Myth 1

Breast cancer affects mainly elder women. It is not true! The disease is now often discover how young girls and ladies from the 50. Oncologists think it’s due to modern lifestyles of women in contemporary society: abortion for young body, late childbearing and small timing of postpartum breastfeeding.

The modern woman is very active: she goes info sports, work, raise children and perform a lot of «male» cases. Therefore, they became more exposed to various microtraumas. If they are infrequent - nothing terrible, but regular attacks affect the regeneration of the normal healthy cells into cancer. This arises from the failure of cell program.

Myth 2

If you regularly examine your own breast, the initial stage of cancer will be always noticed. It is not true! It is difficult to diagnose yourself. There may be no symptoms in the early stages of breast cancer. For this reason, every woman recommended once a year to visit mammographic screening. This survey is better than ultrasound, since can detect very small tumors.

Myth 3

If you found a seal in the breast - you are ill with cancer. It is not true! Such seals are often attributed to menstrual cycle. The emergence of such tumors is of possibly at different sites. Most common seal in breast is presented as mastopathy. Attention! What may indicate a tumor? Please note that if the seal plexiformed with the skin that covers it, does not decrease and in one place. But it still will not mean that the tumor is malignant. It is likely you have a lipoma, papilloma, or cyst.

Myth 4

To recover from breast cancer, it is necessary to do the surgery. It is not true! In 60% of cases, detecting disease at an early stage - the problem is solved without surgical intervention. As a treatment using chemotherapy. But even if we have to do an operation, the first and second stages of breast cancer with lymph nodes removed are less likely than the tumor itself. Unfortunately, at the third stage requires the complete removal of the tumor along with the breast.

Myth 5

Chemotherapy is mortally dangerous for health! It is not true! Indeed, drugs «fighting», not only with cancer cells. The cells of the reproductive system, nails, hair, gastrointestinal tract, mucosa and bone marrow from the fact that rapidly divide, have also been subjected to chemotherapy drugs. This may explain the side effects arising from such treatment: hair fall out, go astray «female» cycle, there is a general weakness. But not all so bad! Scientists engaged in the development of specific drugs that would not be so detrimental effect on immunity. Was recently invented drug for chemotherapy under the title «Xelode». The drug begins to «work» directly with the tumor and exists in the form of tablets. You can accept it even at home.

So, breast cancer - no reason to whine about short pre «appointed time», and change your traditional way of life. Let’s disease will become a sort of test for you strength!

Women’s breast consists of 15-20 sectors (share), around the nipple area like spokes in a wheel. Inside of the shares are areas of the smaller sizes, called slices. At the end of each segments are tiny “bubbles” in which milk is produced. These elements are connected by miniature “tubes”, called ducts, where the milk comes to the nipple.

Teat is at the center of pigmented area called areola. In the areola are tiny glands called Montgomery glands that provide lubrication of the nipple during breastfeeding. Intervals between the slices and ducts filled with fatty tissue. Inside the breast are no muscles, but under each of the gland are pectoral muscles covering the rib.

In each of the mammary glands are the blood vessels, as well as vessels in which the liquid flows, known as lymphomas. Lymph circulating in the body by a network of vessels, or lymphatic system, carrying cells that help the body to fight infections. Lymph vessels  “flows” to the lymph nodes.

Group of lymph nodes is located in the armpits, above the clavicle and the chest cavity. If breast cancer had time to spread to these nodes (see breast cancer staging), it means that cancer cells can be separated into other organs and tissues, migrating to lymphatic vessels system. Lymph nodes are present in many other parts of the body.

The development of the mammary gland and the performance of its functions are regulated by hormones estrogen and progesterone, produced in the ovaries. Estrogen contributes to lengthening of ducts and their branching, and progesterone - increasing number and size of slices, prepearing gland for feeding the child.

After ovulation, under the action of progesterone duct is sizing, blood vessels inside are growing and filling with blood. At this point, mammary glands are filled with fluid and become painful.

According to statistics, breast cancer has one of the first places among the women diseases. Unfortunately, very often, breast cancer is detected at later stages (see breast cancer staging). Once in the body already exist a large number of metastases.

The main factors of the breast cancer are unfavorable ecology environment, heredity in terms of oncology, the number of births and abortions, the number of surgical interventions on the breast, hormonal disorders. We should not forget about the benign processes in the breast.

Breast cancer recently took first place among malignant tumors in women of different ages. Despite the fact that breast cancer refers to tumors that are located outside and even when a doctor has all possibilities for the timely diagnosis of cancer, many women come to Oncology clinic for treatment with III - IV stage of breast cancer.

It has long been observed by scientists, that women living in the big industrial cities have a higher incidence of cancer than among residents of small towns or rural areas. Furthermore, in economically developed areas women sick with breast cancer very often.

One of the major factors that contribute to the development of cancer in the breast, is a professional harm. Even played a huge role living near production facilities. The study of the disease found that women are more likely to have contact with oils, most often subjected to the work of overheating and overcooling, that is, there has been a manufacturing location.

Of the vast number of different breast cancer risk factors the following principals are main: the age, a certain geographic area, age at first birth, ovarian dysfunction, a place of residence, previous benign breast tumors and a family predisposition.