Understanding Breast Cancer Treatment

by National Cancer Institute

A Guide for Patients

Each year in the United States, almost 180,000 women are told they have breast cancer.

Upon hearing this unexpected and overwhelming news, a woman is faced with having to make treatment choices within a short period of time.

This booklet can help her and her family understand what the diagnosis means and why treatment is necessary. It suggests questions to ask the doctor and identifies other resources for more information.

With this knowledge, a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient can more confidently participate with her doctor in planning the best possible treatment.

Introduction

his booklet is written especially for you if you have been diagnosed with breast cancer. You probably have many questions and concerns. You may be feeling confused, worried, or anxious. It may be hard for you to concentrate or make decisions. These reactions are normal.

The information in this booklet should help you understand your diagnosis and the treatments that are available. It is very important that you become a partner with your doctor in deciding what treatment is best for you. The following tips may make it easier for you to use this booklet:

Read the material as you need it.

You may want to ask a family member or close friend, or someone on your health care team, to read this booklet along with you. Or ask them to read it, and talk about it with you when you are ready.

Understanding the meaning of the words that you are hearing will help you understand what is happening and will help you make informed choices.

The medical words that you hear as you go through treatment are explained throughout this booklet.

Remember, there is no single treatment that is "right" for all women.

New treatments are available today that were not even imagined a few years ago. Medical researchers continue to find better ways to treat breast cancer.

You can always ask more than one doctor about your diagnosis and treatment plan.

Your doctor can help you arrange an appointment with another specialist. Many health insurance companies pay for other opinions.

As you go through treatment, you may find it helpful to write out questions before you meet with your doctors.

Some questions are suggested in this booklet. You may want to make an audiotape recording of your discussions with your doctors. Consider asking a family member or close friend to go to your appointments with you and to take notes for you.

Most important, you should never be afraid to ask people to repeat information or instructions, or to ask questions.

There are no "dumb" questions when you are faced with cancer. When you know what to expect, you will feel more in control of your life.

The choice about how much information you seek is yours.

If you would like to know more about any of the topics in this booklet, call the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Cancer Information Service (CIS) toll-free at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). A cancer information specialist can answer your questions, send you more information, or help you find a breast cancer support group in your community.

About Breast Cancer

What Is Cancer?

Cancer is a group of more than 100 different diseases. Cancer occurs when, for unknown reasons, cells become abnormal and divide without control or order. All parts of the body are made up of cells that normally divide to produce more cells only when the body needs them. When cancer occurs, cells keep dividing even when new cells are not needed.

The change from normal to cancerous cells requires several separate, different gene alterations. Eventually, altered genes and uncontrolled growth may produce a tumor that can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). Malignant tumors can invade, damage, and destroy nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor won't spread to other parts of the body, but local tissue may be damaged and the growth may need to be removed.

Types of Breast Cancer

There are several types of breast cancer. The most common is ductal carcinoma, which begins in the lining of the milk ducts of the breast. Another type, lobular carcinoma, begins in the lobules where breast milk is produced. If a malignant tumor invades nearby tissue, it is known as infiltrating or invasive cancer.

How Cancer Spreads

A malignant tumor can invade surrounding tissue and destroy it. Cancer cells can also break away from a malignant tumor and enter the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. This is how cancer spreads within the body. When breast cancer spreads outside the breast, cancer cells often are found in the lymph nodes under the arm. Cancer cells may spread beyond the breast such as to other lymph nodes, the bones, liver, or lungs. (Although it is not common, some patients whose underarm lymph nodes are clear of breast cancer may still have cancer cells which have spread to other parts of the body.)

Cancer that spreads to other parts of the body is the same disease and has the same name as the original cancer. When breast cancer spreads, it is called metastatic breast cancer even though it is found in another part of the body. For example, breast cancer that has spread to the bones is called metastatic breast cancer, not bone cancer.

About the Author

www.nci.nih.gov
The National Cancer Institute's research programs are extensive and contain many innovative initiatives. I invite you to explore our Web site to find out more about the exciting work being conducted here at NCI and by NCI-supported scientists throughout the country.