Breast cancer treatment in Türkiye

What is breast cancer and how does it happen?

Cancer occurs when changes called mutations occur in genes that regulate cell growth. The mutations allow cells to divide and multiply in an uncontrollable way.

Breast cancer is cancer that usually develops in the cells of the breast and forms either in the lobules or ducts of the breast. Lobules are the glands that secrete milk and ducts. Ducts mean the pathways that carry milk from the glands to the nipple. Cancer can also occur in the fatty tissue or fibrous connective tissue within the breast.

Uncontrolled cancer cells often invade other healthy breast tissue and can spread to lymph nodes under the arms. Lymph nodes are the primary pathway that helps cancer cells travel to other parts of the body.

Symptoms of breast cancer

Breast cancer may not cause any symptoms in its early stages, and in many cases the tumor may be too small to be felt. But it can be detected through mammography and its first sign is usually feeling a lump, which is a new mass in the breast that was not present before.

There are other types of lumps that affect the breast and are not necessarily breast cancer, meaning that not all lumps that affect the breast are cancerous. Each type of breast cancer can cause a wide variety of symptoms. Many of these symptoms are often the same, and some may be different.

The most common symptoms of breast cancers include the following

• a lump in the breast
• breast pain
• Redness of the entire breast
• Swelling of all or part of the breast
• Secretions from the nipple other than breast milk
• Bloody discharge from the nipple
• Peeling of the skin on the nipple or breast
• Sudden and unexplained change in the shape or size of the breast
• Nipple taper
• Changes in the appearance of the breast skin
• A lump or swelling under the arm

And if anyone suffers from these symptoms or one of them, this does not necessarily mean that this person has breast cancer, as the cause of breast pain or swelling can be a benign cyst. However, when you notice a lump in the breast or other symptoms, you should consult a doctor.

Types of breast cancer

There are several types of breast cancer and they are divided into two main categories: invasive and noninvasive (in situ). Invasive cancer spreads from the ducts or glands of the breast to other parts of the breast, while localized cancer spreads from the original tissue.

These two categories are used to describe the most common types of breast cancer and include:

Ductal carcinoma in situ :

This cancer grows in the milk-producing glands, and the proliferation of cancer cells is confined to the breast ducts and does not grow in the surrounding breast tissue.

lobular carcinoma in situ :

It is a cancer that develops in the milk-producing glands in the breast, and does not grow in the surrounding tissues.

dilated ductal carcinoma :

It is the most common type of breast cancer. This type of breast cancer begins in the breast milk ducts and then attacks nearby tissues in the breast. Once breast cancer spreads to tissues outside the milk ducts, it can begin to spread to other nearby organs and tissues.

dilated lobular carcinoma :

It first grows in the lobules of the breast and then attacks the rest of the adjacent tissues.

Other, less common types of breast cancer include:

Paget’s disease

(It is a chronic disease that leads to bone deformity and enlargement) This type of breast cancer begins in the nipple ducts, but as it grows, it begins to affect the skin and areola in the nipple.

phyllodes tumor

(a large fibroadenoma) This very rare type of breast cancer grows in the connective tissue of the breast. Most of these tumors are benign and some are cancerous.

Angiosarcoma

It is a cancer that grows on the blood vessels or lymph vessels in the breast.

The type of cancer determines treatment options as well as potential long-term outcomes.

Inflammatory breast cancer

It is a rare and aggressive type of breast cancer. When it occurs, all the cells of the lymph nodes near the breast become blocked, so the lymph vessels in the breast cannot drain properly. Instead of a lump that causes the breast to swell and become red, a cancerous breast may look perforated and thick like an orange peel. This type of breast cancer can be very aggressive and progress quickly, which is why it is important to contact a doctor immediately when you notice any similar symptoms.

Triple negative breast cancer

It is another type of rare disease that affects only 10 to 20% of people with breast cancer. For a diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer, the tumor must have all of the following three characteristics:

• It lacks estrogen receptors, and these receptors are present in cells that bind or attach to estrogen, and if a tumor contains estrogen receptors, estrogen can stimulate cancer growth.
• It lacks progesterone receptors, and these receptors are the cells that bind to the hormone progesterone. And if the tumor contains progesterone receptors, progesterone can stimulate the cancer to grow.
• It does not contain additional HER2 proteins on its surface. HER2 is the protein that fuels the growth of breast cancer.

If the tumor meets these three criteria, it is called triple-negative breast cancer. This type of breast cancer tends to grow and spread more quickly than other types of breast cancer. Triple-negative breast cancers are difficult to treat because hormonal therapy for breast cancer is not effective.

Carrier breast cancer

It is another name for stage IV breast cancer, which is breast cancer that has spread from the breast to other parts of the body such as the bones, lungs, or liver .

This is an advanced stage of breast cancer, at which point the oncologist will develop a treatment plan aimed at stopping the growth and spread of the tumor or tumors.

Male breast cancer

Although men have a lower incidence of it in general, men have breast tissue just like women, and men can also develop breast cancer but it is a very rare condition.

However, men’s breast cancer is no less dangerous than women’s breast cancer, and it has the same symptoms.

Symptoms of breast cancer

Breast cancer can cause a range of symptoms, and these symptoms can appear differently in different people.

If a spot or a change in color is found on the breast, it is useful to see a specialist doctor.

stages of breast cancer

Breast cancer can be divided into stages based on the size of the tumor and how far it has spread.

Large cancers or that have invaded nearby tissues or organs, and are at a higher stage than small cancers, which are still contained in the breast. In order to perform breast cancer, doctors need to know:

• Whether the cancer is invasive or localized?
• How big is the tumor?
• Whether lymph nodes are involved in the growth of cancer?
• Whether the cancer has spread to nearby tissues or organs?

Breast cancer has five main stages: stages 0 through 4

stage zero

 The cancer cells then remain confined to the breast ducts and have not spread to nearby tissues.

The first stage

It is divided into two stages:

• Stage A: The primary tumor is 2 cm or less across and the lymph nodes are not yet affected.
• Stage B: Cancer is found in nearby lymph nodes, there is no breast lump or the tumor is smaller than 2 cm.

The second phase

• Stage A: The tumor is smaller than 2 cm and has spread to 1-3 nearby lymph nodes, or is between 2 and 5 cm and has not spread to any lymph nodes.
• Stage 2b: Tumor is 2–5 cm in size and has spread to 1–3 axillary (axillary) lymph nodes, or is larger than 5 cm and has not spread to any lymph nodes.

third level

• Stage A: Cancer has spread to 4-9 axillary lymph nodes, or enlarged internal lymph nodes. The primary tumor can be any size. Or the tumors are larger than 5 cm and the cancer has spread to 1-3 axillary lymph nodes, or any nodes in the sternum
• Stage B: The tumor has invaded the chest wall or skin and may or may not be present in 9 lymph nodes.
• Stage C: Cancer is found in 10 or more axillary lymph nodes, lymph nodes near the collarbone, or internal breast nodes.

The fourth stage

Stage 4 breast cancer can have a tumor of any size, and cancer cells have spread to nearby and distant lymph nodes, as well as distant organs. Testing done by a doctor will determine the stage of breast cancer and what will affect treatment steps.

Breast cancer diagnosis

To determine whether symptoms are due to breast cancer or a benign breast condition, your doctor will perform a thorough physical exam in addition to a breast exam. The doctor may also order one or more diagnostic tests to help understand the cause of your symptoms.

Tests that can help diagnose breast cancer include:

Mammography :

It is the most common way to see below the surface of the breast, and many women aged 40 and over undergo mammograms to check for breast cancer. If the doctor suspects a possible lump or suspicious spot, he will also order a mammogram, and if an abnormal area is seen On a mammogram, the doctor may order additional tests.

Ultrasound :

A breast ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image of the deeper tissues in the breast. The ultrasound can help the doctor distinguish between a solid mass such as a tumor and a benign cyst. The doctor may also suggest tests such as an MRI or a breast biopsy.

breast biopsy :

If the doctor suspects breast cancer, he will order a mammogram and ultrasound. If both tests do not confirm the infection, the doctor will perform a test called a breast biopsy.

Through this test, the doctor will remove a tissue sample from the suspicious area for examination, and there are several types of breast biopsies. In some of these tests, the doctor uses a needle to take a tissue sample and compare it with the other, and the doctor makes an incision in the breast and then removes the sample, then the doctor will send a sample tissue to the laboratory.

If the test sample is positive and confirms the presence of cancer, the doctor tells the patient the size and type of cancer they have.

Breast cancer treatment

Knowing the stage the cancer has reached, how effective it is, and how far the tumor has grown plays a major role in determining the type of treatment a patient will need. To start, the doctor will determine the size, stage, and grade of the cancer (how likely it is to grow and spread). After that, the patient’s treatment options can be discussed by the doctor. The most common treatment is surgery, and many women undergo additional treatments such as chemotherapy , targeted therapy, radiation, or hormonal therapy.

 Surgery for breast cancer

Several types of surgery may be used to remove breast cancer, including:

Lumpectomy.

In it, the affected parts of the tumor and some surrounding tissues are removed, leaving the rest of the breast intact.

Mastectomy.

In this procedure, the surgeon removes the entire breast, and in a double mastectomy, both breasts are removed.

Sentinel node biopsy .

During this surgery, a small number of lymph nodes that receive drainage from the tumor are removed, and these lymph nodes are tested for cancer, so the patient may not need additional surgery to remove more lymph nodes.

Anatomy of the axillary lymph node .

It is done if the lymph nodes removed during a sentinel node biopsy contain cancer cells. The doctor then removes the extra lymph nodes.

Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy .

Although breast cancer may be present in only one breast, some women choose to have a preventive contralateral mastectomy, a procedure in which the healthy breast is surgically removed to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer again.

Radiation therapy

During radiation therapy, high-energy radiation beams are used to target and kill cancer cells. Most radiation treatments use external beam radiation, which is directed at the outside of the body.

Advances in cancer treatment have also enabled doctors to send radio waves to cancer from within the body. This type of radiotherapy is called brachytherapy (close-up). To perform it, surgeons place radioactive seeds or pellets inside the body near the tumor site. The seeds stay there for a short time and work to destroy cancer cells.

Chemotherapy

It is a drug treatment used to destroy cancer cells. Some people may undergo chemotherapy on their own, but this type of treatment is often used along with other treatments, especially surgery.

In some cases, doctors prefer to give patients chemotherapy before surgery, with the goal being that the treatment will shrink the tumor and then the surgery will not need to be repaired.

Chemotherapy has many unwanted side effects, so it is best to discuss your concerns with your doctor before starting treatment.

Hormone therapy

If the type of breast cancer in the patient is sensitive to hormones, the doctor may begin treatment with hormones. Estrogen and progesterone “two female hormones” can stimulate the growth of breast cancer tumors. Hormone therapy works by preventing the body from producing these hormones, or by blocking hormone receptors in cancer cells and can This procedure helps slow and possibly stop the growth of the cancer.

pharmaceutical

Certain treatments are designed to attack specific abnormalities or mutations within cancer cells, so taking a drug to slow down the production of this protein may help slow the growth of cancer.

care

If an unusual lump or spot is detected in the breast, or any other symptoms of breast cancer, the best course of action is to make an appointment to see a doctor. If caught quickly enough, the longer breast cancer continues to grow and the more difficult it becomes to treat.

Doctors advice

If you have already received a diagnosis of breast cancer, keep in mind that cancer treatments continue to improve and so do results, so follow your treatment plan and try to stay positive.

Breast cancer survival rate

Breast cancer survival rates vary greatly based on many factors. Two of the most important factors are the type of cancer and the stage of its development at the time of receiving the diagnosis, and other factors may play an important role such as age, gender and race.

The good news is that breast cancer survival rates are improving. According to the 1975 statistic, the 5-year survival rate for those diagnosed with breast cancer in women was 75.2%, but for women diagnosed between 2008 and 2014 it was 90.6%.

Five-year survival rates for breast cancer vary depending on the stage of diagnosis and range from 99% for localized, early-stage cancers to 27% for advanced metastatic cancers.

Breast cancer prevention

Although there are uncontrollable risk factors, following a healthy lifestyle, having regular check-ups, and taking preventative measures recommended by doctors can help reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Lifestyle

Lifestyle can affect the risk of breast cancer. For example, women who are obese are more likely to develop breast cancer. Maintaining a healthy diet and getting more exercise can help you lose weight and reduce your risk.

Drinking a lot of alcohol also increases your risk and this applies to having two or more drinks a day and binge drinking.

Breast cancer screening

Regular mammograms may not prevent breast cancer but can help reduce the chances of it going undetected.

Preventive treatment

Some women are exposed to an increased risk of developing breast cancer due to hereditary factors, for example: if a close family member has a genetic mutation, then the risk of exposure increases more, and this greatly increases the risk of breast cancer.

If the rates of exposure to this mutation are many, you should talk to the doctor about diagnostic and preventive treatment options, and sometimes you must take a test to see if there are problems with the mutation.

If the test results are positive, it is best to contact a doctor to take preventive steps to reduce the risk of breast cancer. These steps may include a preventive mastectomy (surgical removal of the breast)

Breast test

In addition to mammograms, there are other breast exams to monitor for signs of breast cancer

Self tests

Many women do self-examination of the breasts and it is best to do this test once a month at the same time every month, and the examination will help to identify the shape and feel of the natural breast to see any change in the feeling of that area over time, however, these tests are optional because the current research did not show A clear benefit to physical exams whether they are done at home or by a doctor.

Examination of the breast by a doctor periodically

The same guidelines for self-exams above apply to periodic breast exams performed by a physician or other health care provider, and they certainly don’t hurt. Your doctor may perform a breast exam during annual visits.

If there are any symptoms that cause concern, it is a good idea to have a breast exam. During the exam, the doctor will check both breasts for abnormal spots or signs of breast cancer. He may also check other parts of the body to see if the symptoms you are experiencing could be related to another condition. .

Breast Cancer Awareness

Fortunately, people today are more aware of the issues associated with breast cancer, and breast cancer awareness efforts have helped people learn about their risk factors, how they can reduce their risk level, what symptoms to look out for, and what types of screening they should undergo.

How can I book for breast cancer treatment in Türkiye?

• Free medical support on the phone: You will have a dedicated representative for your health condition who is always ready to answer your questions.
• Free consultation with a specialist doctor: Your medical representative will consult with a number of doctors and hospitals to find the best possible treatments.
• Free travel visa arrangement: We will contact the embassy in your country to assist you in obtaining a visa to visit Türkiye.
• Free itinerary planning: We will create a schedule for your medical trip to Türkiye.
• Free translation of documents and reports: We will translate medical documents and reports into Turkish on your behalf.
• Free support and monitoring: We will monitor the stages of treatment and be by your side every step of the way.
• Free instant translation: We will be with you during the treatment stages to provide translation between you and the medical team.
• Free accommodation and transportation coordination: We will book accommodation for you and your companions in Türkiye, along with transportation services.

Contact REHABTÜRK doctors for more information about the procedure and to evaluate your medical condition.

Request a Free Consultation.