c l i n i c a l f o l i o s : n a r r a t i v e





A D V E R T I S E M E N T

 

Breast Cancer: Background: 1

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

   
 

Cancer is uncontrolled proliferation of cells in any part of the body. Cancer cells have the ability to invade and damage surrounding structures. They can also break away from the primary site. Many loose cells are destroyed by the body's immune system, but some may lodge and grow in other areas of the body (metastasize). Cells that are cancerous are called malignant. Groups of cells growing out of control form a tumor mass. The rate of growth of tumors varies between types and even within a single type. Breast cancers typically have been growing for several years by the time they are detected, even in their early stages. As the tumor grows in size, the likelihood of cells spreading to other parts of the body increases, making early detection important. If all the tumor cells are removed or destroyed before any have spread, the cancer can be more easily cured.    

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Breast Cancer: Background: 2

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

   
 

The transformation of a normal cell to a malignant cell may be due to alteration of the genetic code in the nucleus of a cell (mutation). The mutation may be due to a spontaneous change in the genetic material or to environmental factors such as smoking or radiation. In a small minority of cases, a gene predisposing to the development of cancer may be inherited. The BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations in breast cancer are examples (see risk for details). Such genes may direct the production of specific proteins called tumor markers that are helpful in the diagnosis of certain cancers.     

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Breast Cancer: Background: 3

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

   
 

The tissue in which the rogue cells arise determines which of the two general categories of cancer it falls under. Cancers of the inner or outer lining surfaces of the body such as breast glands or skin are called carcinoma. 

Cancers in all tissues between these layers such as bone or muscle are called sarcoma. Only rarely does a sarcoma occur in the breast. The most common breast sarcoma is called cystosarcoma phyllodes and is related to, and may arise from, a benign breast growth called a fibroadenoma.

The pathologist is the physician who examines tissue grossly (with the naked eye) and microscopically. Histology is the microscopic study of tissue stained with various dyes to bring out details. Chemical tests (immunohistochemistry) are now used to stain tissues for specific substances such as estrogen receptors. 

If the cells in a cancer resemble the tissue from which they arose, the cancer is said to be well differentiated. Microscopic characteristics of each tumor determine the pathological grade. The higher the grade and the more poorly differentiated a tumor is, the more aggressively it tends to behave.  

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This page was last modified on 7/9/1999.