Breast Diagnostic Center - Anatomy & Pathology

Malignant (cancerous) breast lumps represent the uncontrolled growth of cells. They most frequently originate in the ducts. It has been estimated that it takes five to ten years from the time a single cancer cell appears to the time it becomes one centimeter in size. . . the minimal size that a lump may be detected by physical examinations.

If a cancerous lump is not detected and treated at a very early stage in its growth, it can invade blood vessels and the lymphatic system (tiny channels that carry bloodless tissue fluid). The cancer travels, or metastasizes through these systems to distant sites in the body where they continue to grow and destroy normal tissue.

If a cancerous lump is detected and treated. . . EARLY. . . in its development, before it reaches other parts of the body, the outlook for complete recovery is excellent. Today, the best way to assure early detection and treatment is through a planned program of breast self-exams, mammography and physical exams.

*Signs of Breast Cancer* As a cancerous growth occurs in the breast, it may take on any of the following appearances:
A Lump - Usually single, firm and most often painless
Inverted Nipple - In a previously normal breast
Skin Swelling - A portion of the skin on the breast has the appearance of an orange peel
Superficial Veins - The skin surface veins on one breast become more prominent than the other
Skin Dimpling - A depression occurring in a localized area of the breast surface
Remember...since most of these problems are found by the women themselves, your regular breast self-exam is especially important in early detection.

Treatment of Breast Cancer
After determining that a patient has breast cancer, there are some guidelines that are used to customize treatment. They include determining how far the disease has spread in the breast; if there is cancer in the lymph nodes; and if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

The important point however, is that treatment must be INDIVIDUALIZED according to many factors unique to the woman involved. When the treatment is chosen, it can consist of one or several approaches including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of treatments.

There is one very important thing to remember about breast cancer. Though it cannot be prevented, early detection is the key to successful treatment. When all three methods of detection (breast self-exams, mammograms and physical exams) are used together in a planned program, over 90% of the occurrences of breast cancer can be identified. The sooner the breast cancer can be detected, the more effectively it can be treated.

Anatomy of the breast

TIMING OF EXAMINATION
The best time for breast examination is 5 to 7 days after cessation of menses, when the morphologic influences of hormones are minimal.

Timing of examination