Bumrungrad Health Briefing #93: Breast Cancer: Understanding a Diagnosis
What Does a Breast Cancer Diagnosis Mean?
A breast cancer diagnosis is not one-size-fits-all. Doctors first determine whether the cancer is in situ (staying in the ducts or lobules without spreading) or invasive (moving into surrounding tissue). Most breast cancers are invasive ductal carcinoma, while invasive lobular carcinoma is the second most common.
Other important types and subtypes include:
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Triple-negative breast cancer (about 15% of cases), often linked to genetic mutations and harder to treat.
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Inflammatory breast cancer, which grows quickly and makes the breast look red or swollen.
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Paget’s disease of the breast, which can cause eczema-like changes around the nipple.
Knowing the cancer’s receptor status (estrogen, progesterone, HER2) helps doctors choose the most effective therapy.
Understanding Grades and Stages
Doctors also use the TNM system to describe cancer:
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T (Tumor): size and extent (T1 <2 cm, T2 up to 5 cm, T3 >5 cm, T4 into chest wall/skin).
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N (Nodes): cancer in lymph nodes (N0 none, N1–N3 increasing spread).
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M (Metastasis): whether the cancer has spread elsewhere (M0 no, M1 yes).
These details determine whether cancer is early-stage (I or II), locally advanced (III), or advanced/metastatic (IV).
Treatment Pathways
Treatment is highly individualized, combining medical expertise with patient preferences. Options include:
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Surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy), sometimes preventive in women with genetic risks.
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Chemotherapy and radiation therapy - targeting cancer cells locally or throughout the body.
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Hormonal therapy - for cancers fueled by estrogen or progesterone.
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Targeted therapies - including HER2 inhibitors and drugs to reduce recurrence.
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Immunotherapy - stimulates the body’s own immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells, improving survival in certain advanced breast cancers.
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Bone-strengthening medicines - to protect long-term health.
Doctors also consider age, health, and personal preferences, always aiming to balance treatment success with quality of life.
Recurrence and Secondary Cancers
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Recurrence: The same cancer returns, either locally or regionally.
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Secondary primary cancer: A completely new, unrelated breast cancer develops.
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Secondary cancer: Breast cancer cells spread to distant organs, such as the bones, lungs, or liver.
Coping with Breast Cancer
A diagnosis brings uncertainty, but support makes all the difference. Understanding your treatment plan, preparing for side effects, and leaning on family and friends help ease the journey.
At Bumrungrad International Hospital’s Breast Cancer Center, patients receive world-class diagnostics, multidisciplinary treatment plans, and holistic support systems designed to meet both medical and emotional needs.
Book a consultation >> https://bhx.one/kK2qSV
Provide by the Bumrungrad Breast Center at Bumrungrad International Hospital
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