A routine mammogram showed a large mass in the right breast of Mrs. H, age 42 ye
ID: 204423 • Letter: A
Question
A routine mammogram showed a large mass in the right breast of Mrs. H, age 42 years. A biopsy confirmed the presence of a malignant tumor. Mrs. H was concerned because her mother and an aunt had had breast cancer. No metastases were detected at this time. A mastectomy was performed, and a number of axillary and mediastinal lymph nodes were removed. Pathologic examination showed that several nodes from each area contained malignant cells. Given that this case was considered to be stage III, it was recommended that Mrs. H have chemotherapy and radiation treatment following surgery and later have her ovaries removed to reduce her estrogen levels.
Discuss the differences between a malignant and benign tumor and how they may be used in diagnosing the cancer. Discuss what other signs and symptoms Mrs. H may expect to experience if the tumor returns. Other than the biopsy used in this case, discuss what other diagnostic tests could have been used to diagnose the cancer. Discuss the reasons why the axillary lymph nodes were removed and it was recommended that the patient continue with chemotherapy and radiation. Discuss the different treatments that the patient is going through, including advantages and disadvantages of each type and overall prognosis.
A routine mammogram showed a large mass in the right breast of Mrs. H, age 42 years. A biopsy confirmed the presence of a malignant tumor. Mrs. H was concerned because her mother and an aunt had had breast cancer. No metastases were detected at this time. A mastectomy was performed, and a number of axillary and mediastinal lymph nodes were removed. Pathologic examination showed that several nodes from each area contained malignant cells. Given that this case was considered to be stage III, it was recommended that Mrs. H have chemotherapy and radiation treatment following surgery and later have her ovaries removed to reduce her estrogen levels.
Discuss the differences between a malignant and benign tumor and how they may be used in diagnosing the cancer. Discuss what other signs and symptoms Mrs. H may expect to experience if the tumor returns. Other than the biopsy used in this case, discuss what other diagnostic tests could have been used to diagnose the cancer. Discuss the reasons why the axillary lymph nodes were removed and it was recommended that the patient continue with chemotherapy and radiation. Discuss the different treatments that the patient is going through, including advantages and disadvantages of each type and overall prognosis.
A routine mammogram showed a large mass in the right breast of Mrs. H, age 42 years. A biopsy confirmed the presence of a malignant tumor. Mrs. H was concerned because her mother and an aunt had had breast cancer. No metastases were detected at this time. A mastectomy was performed, and a number of axillary and mediastinal lymph nodes were removed. Pathologic examination showed that several nodes from each area contained malignant cells. Given that this case was considered to be stage III, it was recommended that Mrs. H have chemotherapy and radiation treatment following surgery and later have her ovaries removed to reduce her estrogen levels.
Discuss the differences between a malignant and benign tumor and how they may be used in diagnosing the cancer. Discuss what other signs and symptoms Mrs. H may expect to experience if the tumor returns. Other than the biopsy used in this case, discuss what other diagnostic tests could have been used to diagnose the cancer. Discuss the reasons why the axillary lymph nodes were removed and it was recommended that the patient continue with chemotherapy and radiation. Discuss the different treatments that the patient is going through, including advantages and disadvantages of each type and overall prognosis.
Explanation / Answer
Benign tumor is non carcinogenic and could not spread to the other part of the body, whereas malignant tumor is highly carcinogenic and spread from one part of the body to other part of the body. Generally benign tumor is organs specific and can be easy to remove because it can not spread and a individual may live healthy life after prognosis. In case of malignant cancer it is not possible because an individual may face cancerous condition after prognosis treatment.
If the tumor may returns in the future, breast shape size and appearance is changed, nipple discharge and shape is changed. pain in chest, jaundice, loss of appetite, headache nd masculine weakness observed.
It is a case of breast cancer, apart from biopsy, DNA test from blood is most sensitive method for detection of cancer, BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene are sequenced for targeting pathogenic mutation which helps in early detection of breast cancer. Other test are: breast mammogram, breast ultra sound etc may used.
Axillary glands under the arms are nearer to breast, after the breast cancer detection this place is most suspicious from where the spreading of cancer is begin (because it is a malignant cancer). Hence it is removed by dissection and chemo therapy is continues so that the carcinoma or cancerous cells may not spread to other parts of body.
Treatments in breast cancer,
In the early stage radiation and removal of breast (surgery) is most effective type of treatment. If the cancer is not spread through breast, the breast will be removed and continuous radiation will stop the cancer malignancy.
However it is dangerous because the patient may not breast feed in future and harmful effects of radiation like body hair removal are very common in this treatment.
Other treatment like chemotherapy, hormone therapy are used in higher stage of cancer. Chemotherapy has many side effects as the drug used in these therapy are most strong. It leads to body hair removal and decrease immunity and resistance towards infection.
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