Benign and malignant breast cancer depend on the content of the masses in the breast. Benign breast cancer is generally not referred to as cancer. These are harmless masses that form in the breast. Malignant breast cancer, however, presents symptoms according to its stages and must definitely be treated.
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What is Benign Breast Cancer?
Benign breast cancer refers to masses in the breast that do not contain cancer cells, commonly referred to as benign or non-cancerous growths. These are generally fibroadenomas, fibrocycsts, and cystic lesions. They are more common in women aged 15-40. These masses can be detected through mammography and ultrasound. When palpated, they can be mobile and may slip through the fingers. If the benign tumor is painless, small in size, and does not alter the shape of the breast, no treatment is required. However, regular ultrasound checks are necessary to monitor any growth or changes. If the mass is large, growing, or causing pain, treatment is required.
What are the Treatments for Benign Breast Tumors and Masses?
Treatment for benign breast masses may involve a procedure to destroy the mass using sound waves. High-frequency sound waves focus on a specific area in the body and emit heat, approximately at a temperature of 100°C. This heat helps destroy the benign tumor. Another method is freezing to shrink the mass. During this treatment, a small hole is made and the tumor is accessed using ultrasound imaging. A needle is inserted into the center of the tumor. The area is surrounded and frozen by the ice ball formed by the needle. The freezing destroys the tissue, causing the tumor to shrink and disappear.
How Does Benign Breast Cancer Resolve?
If the procedures mentioned above cannot be applied to the patient, other treatment options are available. One method is the removal of the benign breast tumor in one piece. During this procedure, an incision is made in the skin. A special needle with radiofrequency wires is inserted through the incision. The tumor is removed along with the wires from the needle, taking the cancerous portion as a whole. Another treatment option is vacuum biopsy. A needle is used to access the tissue, and the tumor tissue is vacuumed into the needle. The tissue is then cut. This method helps remove the tumor tissue in pieces.
What is Malignant Breast Cancer?
Malignant breast cancer is a disease that must definitely be treated. The tumor in this type of cancer is harmful to the body. In malignant breast cancer, the masses continually grow and spread. In advanced stages, the armpit can be checked for hardness and swelling by touch. Discharge from one or both of the nipples may occur.
Malignant Breast Cancer Treatment
Treatment for malignant breast cancer involves surgery in the early stages. In breast-conserving surgery, the cancerous area in the breast is removed. In conservative surgery, the non-cancerous tissue is also removed, preventing the spread of cancerous cells. In mastectomy, the entire breast tissue is removed. In both breast-conserving surgery and mastectomy, axillary spread is checked using sentinel lymph node biopsy. One of the lymph nodes is removed and examined. If no tumor is found, the axilla is spared. In cases where spread is detected, the lymph nodes in the armpit are removed through surgery, and the area is cleaned.
Chemotherapy for Malignant Breast Cancer
For malignant breast cancer treatment, chemotherapy is applied after surgery. In advanced metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer, surgery is not applied initially. Cancerous cells are first treated with chemotherapy. Radiotherapy uses high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells. Hormone therapy prevents the secretion of estrogen and the growth of cells that cause breast cancer.
