Breast cancer occurs when malignant tumors develop in the cellular structure of the breast; the cancer cells that form in the tumor begin in the soft tissue and can rapidly spread throughout the entire body. Although breast cancer and subsequent breast cancer surgery in Reading, PA occurs mostly in women, it does occur in males as well. A large percentage of breast cancer cases are classifies as invasive ductal carcinoma. Other kinds of breast cancer include lobular carcinoma, Paget’s disease and inflammatory breast cancer.
Invasive ductal carcinoma makes up over 70 percent of the cases, this type of cancer begins in the duct of the breast; it infiltrates the duct wall and enters the fatty tissue. Once it gets as far as the fatty tissue it can quickly spread both through the blood and through the lymph system. A further 10 percents of breast cancers starts in the terminal ducts which produce breast milk, this type of cancer is called invasive lobular carcinoma.
Perhaps the easiest type to treat with breast cancer surgery in Reading, PA is that form called medullary carcinoma. This is somewhat easier to treat because the cancer cells are not difficult to distinguish from normal cells. These types of cancer cells are larger and the surgeon can see immune cells clustered around the edge of the tumor.
Paget’s disease is found in about three percent of the cases. This form of cancer is focused on the areola and nipple area; it appears as a redness of the skin and is accompanied by an itching or burning sensation.
There are rare types of cancer such as inflammatory or mucinous carcinoma which represent perhaps three or four percent of all breast cancers.
Breast cancer is not a disease that only attacks a certain age group or women from a particular social strata, it can affect anyone at any time. The best way to guard against breast cancer is to undergo periodic screening. A mammogram can detect breast cancer prior to it becoming a major problem; all women over the age of 40 should undergo this test once a year to stay safe.
Younger women are not immune from breast cancer, those in their 20s and 30s should have a thorough breast exam by their doctor and all women should self exam monthly.
Breast cancer surgery is one of the many surgeries undertaken by Spring Ridge Surgical Specialists in Reading, PA.
