Sunday, March 30, 2008

Information on Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare cancer that happens in a very small percentage of women. It is an aggressive type of locally advanced cancer.In general, women with inflammatory breast cancer are diagnosed at a younger age. In extremely rare circumstances, this form of breast cancer is diagnosed in men. Inflammatory breast cancer usually develops as a sheet rather than a lump.Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer include:Breast becomes red, purple, pink or bruised; Breast becomes firm and enlarged;A warm feeling in the breast; Itching of the breast; Pain; Skin texture similar to an orange peel; Enlarged lymph nodes under the arm;Flattening of the nipple; Swollen skin on the nipple; Change in color of the skin around the nipple.It is very easy to mix up the symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer with those of a breast infection. If you become aware of any of the signs of inflammatory breast cancer, see your doctor immediately.This form of cancer is not caused by an inflammation or infection. Inflammatory breast cancer happens when cancer cells clog the lymphatic vessels in the skin overlying the breast.In the past, inflammatory breast cancer was treated by surgery and was associated with a 100% mortality rate. Fortunately, major progress has been made in recent years using a combination of treatments, including surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.These treatments have greatly improved the prognosis for a woman with inflammatory breast cancer. Recent studies have shown as much as a 50% survival rate after 5 years and a 35% survival rate after 10 years

Breast Cancer Information

There is lot of information about breast cancer on the internet and books. I have gathered here all the important information regarding breast cancer including symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Breast cancer is one of the most common cause of death in women but men are rarely affected by this disease. This cancer forms in tissue ducts and milk making glands of the breast.First of all lets have a look on the main symptoms and signs of breast cancerearly breast cancer have practically no symptoms it can only be conformed by the palpation of breast lump by self examination of breast ;lump can be present slightly above the collar bone or it can be also in the armpit if you are suspecting a breast lump do consult your physician;discharge from the breast;changes in the nipple;changes in the breast skin;early detection of breast cancer improves the survival rate.Risk factorsirreversible risk factorsif u are a woman you are in the risk of breast cancer;risk of breast cancer also increases with the age of a person;hereditary inclination that is presence of breast cancer genes or family history of breast cancer;there is a risk of developing breast cancer in women starting menstruating in early age.reversible risk factorshormone therapy;oral contraceptives;hormone therapy started after menopause;alcohol intake;obesity;less physical activity.Tests for the diagnosis of the breast cancermammography;medical resonance imaging;breast biopsy.TreatmentSurgical treatment includes mastectomy or lumpectomy followed by breast reconstruction;adjuvant therapy includes radiotherapy,chemotherapy and hormonal therapy.