What Is Breast Cancer? Symptoms and Treatment Options
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Overview
Breast cancer develops when abnormal cells in the breast grow and divide uncontrollably, forming a mass (tumor) that may invade nearby tissues or spread (metastasize). With early detection and modern, multidisciplinary care, most breast cancers can be treated effectively. That’s why regular mammography, appropriate risk assessment, and breast self-awareness are essential parts of prevention and early diagnosis.
At MedicalPoint Hospital, our Senology (Breast Health) Center brings together Breast Surgery, Radiology, Pathology, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Genetics, and Psycho-oncology in a coordinated tumor-board approach for every patient.
What Is Breast Cancer?
Staging (Overview)
Staging helps determine how advanced the disease is and guides treatment:- Stage 0 (Carcinoma in situ): Abnormal cells are confined to ducts/lobules and have not invaded surrounding tissue.
- Stage I: Small, early invasive tumor; lymph nodes usually negative.
- Stage II: Larger tumor and/or limited spread to nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage III: Locally advanced disease; more extensive lymph node involvement or direct spread to chest wall/skin.
- Stage IV (Metastatic): Cancer has spread to distant organs (e.g., bone, liver, lung, brain).
Types of Breast Cancer
Breast cancers are often discussed as non-invasive (in situ) or invasive, with additional subtypes defined by pathology and receptor status.
Non-invasive (In Situ)
- Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS): Abnormal cells inside the ducts; non-invasive but can progress to invasive cancer if untreated.
- Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS): A marker of increased future risk in both breasts; usually managed with surveillance and risk-reduction planning rather than surgery for cure.
Invasive
- Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC): The most common type; begins in ducts and invades surrounding tissue.
- Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC): Begins in lobules; can be subtler on imaging and may present as tissue thickening rather than a discrete lump.
Biologic Subtypes (by receptors)
- Hormone-receptor positive (ER and/or PR positive)
- HER2-positive
- Triple-negative (ER-/PR-/HER2-)
Each subtype has characteristic behaviors and specific targeted treatments.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Symptoms vary; early cancers may be asymptomatic and detected only on mammography. Seek evaluation if you notice:
- A new lump or thickening in the breast or underarm
- Change in size or shape of the breast; new asymmetry
- Skin changes: dimpling, puckering, scaling, redness, “peau d’orange” (orange-peel texture)
- Nipple changes: inversion, persistent crusting, or discharge (especially bloody, from one side)
- Persistent pain or focal tenderness not linked to menstruation
- Swollen lymph nodes in the armpit or above the collarbone
Note: Many breast changes are benign. Only a clinician can determine the cause through appropriate imaging and—if needed—biopsy.
How Is Breast Cancer Diagnosed?
At MedicalPoint Hospital, diagnosis follows evidence-based pathways:
- Clinical breast exam – complete history and targeted examination.
- Imaging (“triple assessment”)
- Digital mammography (screening or diagnostic) with standard CC and MLO views; tomosynthesis (3D mammography) when indicated.
- Targeted breast ultrasound to characterize masses and guide biopsies.
- Breast MRI for high-risk screening, problem solving in dense breasts, or preoperative mapping.
- Image-guided core needle biopsy – ultrasound-, stereotactic-, or MRI-guided sampling to confirm cancer type and receptors (ER/PR/HER2, Ki-67).
- Pathology and biomarker profiling – determines tumor grade and molecular features.
- Staging work-up – selective blood tests and imaging (e.g., CT, bone scan, PET-CT) for clinically advanced disease or specific symptoms.
- Genetic counseling/testing – when family history or age/pattern suggests hereditary risk (e.g., BRCA1/BRCA2 and other panels).
Reports are standardized using BI-RADS for imaging and AJCC criteria for staging.
How Is Breast Cancer Treated?
Treatment is personalized based on stage, biology, overall health, and patient preferences. Most plans combine local therapies (surgery/radiation) with systemic therapies (medications) as appropriate.
Surgery
- Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) removes the tumor with a margin of healthy tissue; typically followed by radiation to reduce local recurrence.
- Mastectomy removes the entire breast; suitable for large/multifocal tumors, patient choice, or specific genetic contexts.
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy assesses nodal spread with minimal morbidity; axillary dissection is reserved for confirmed nodal involvement.
- Immediate or delayed reconstruction (implant-based or autologous flap) is available through our Plastic & Reconstructive team.
Radiation Therapy
Precise, image-guided radiation (after lumpectomy and in selected post-mastectomy cases) lowers local recurrence risk. Techniques include hypofractionated schedules and boost to the tumor bed when indicated.
Systemic Therapies
- Endocrine (hormonal) therapy for ER/PR-positive disease: tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors (with ovarian suppression in selected premenopausal patients).
- HER2-targeted therapy for HER2-positive disease: trastuzumab-based regimens (often with pertuzumab) with cardiac monitoring.
- Chemotherapy: neo-adjuvant (before surgery) to downstage tumors or adjuvant (after surgery) to reduce recurrence risk, especially for triple-negative or higher-risk cancers.
- Immunotherapy: checkpoint inhibitors in selected triple-negative settings.
- Genomic assays (e.g., multigene panels) may help determine the need for chemotherapy in certain hormone-receptor-positive early cancers.
Supportive & Integrative Care
Management of treatment effects (lymphedema prevention, fertility counseling, cardiology input for HER2 therapy, bone health, menopause symptoms), nutrition, physiotherapy, and psycho-oncology are integral to care at MedicalPoint.
Screening, Risk, and Prevention
- Population screening (Türkiye): Asymptomatic women aged 40–69 are generally offered mammography every 2 years; earlier or more frequent screening is advised for higher-risk patients (to be individualized with your physician).
- Breast self-awareness: Know your normal; report persistent changes.
- Risk factors: age, family history, inherited variants (e.g., BRCA1/BRCA2), prior chest radiation, breast density, certain benign lesions, reproductive/hormonal factors, alcohol use, obesity, and inactivity.
- Risk-reduction strategies: healthy weight, exercise, moderated alcohol, breastfeeding when possible, and risk-adapted screening. High-risk patients may discuss chemoprevention or risk-reducing surgery in appropriate contexts.
Our Genetics team provides personalized risk assessment and individualized screening plans.
Why Choose MedicalPoint Hospital?
- Dedicated Senology Center: same-day diagnostics when possible and coordinated tumor-board decisions.
- Advanced imaging: digital mammography, ultrasound, MRI, and image-guided biopsy.
- Personalized surgery and reconstruction: breast-conserving approaches, oncoplastic techniques, and reconstructive options.
- Targeted medical oncology: access to modern endocrine, HER2-targeted, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy regimens with supportive care.
- Survivorship program: long-term follow-up, rehabilitation, lymphedema care, and psychosocial support.
Key Takeaways
- Breast cancer is common but highly treatable—especially when found early.
- Symptoms include a new lump, skin or nipple changes, and unilateral discharge; many early cancers are found by mammography before symptoms.
- Modern care combines precise surgery, targeted/radiation therapies, and systemic treatments tailored to tumor biology (ER/PR/HER2).
- Regular screening and risk-adapted surveillance save lives.
- MedicalPoint Hospital provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and compassionate care throughout diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.
If you’ve noticed a new breast change—or if you are 40+ and due for screening—book an appointment with the MedicalPoint Senology Center. Our team will create a personalized screening or treatment plan, from digital mammography and biopsy to state-of-the-art therapies and reconstruction.
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Senology Center
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women worldwide. With early detection and the right treatment strategies, it is possible to significantly increase survival rates and maintain a good quality of life. Our center combines advanced diagnostic imaging, innovative treatment options, and a multidisciplinary care approach to ensure that every patient receives the best possible outcome.
