Stage 3 Breast Cancer

When a group of cells in the body begin to develop in an unnatural manner and at an abnormal pace, it can result in one of the most dreaded diseases known to man - cancer. These carcinogenic cells are not confined to a particular region in the body, but can develop anywhere and at any time. Similarly breast cancer can occur when there is an abnormal growth of tumor in the breast. Based on the spread of the cancerous cells, the stages of breast cancer are determined. Let's have a detailed look at stage 3 breast cancer and its treatment options, along with breast cancer stages survival rate.

Stage 3 Breast Cancer: A Snapshot

As mentioned earlier, breast cancer is caused due to the presence of abnormal cells in the breast. These cells may develop in either one or both the breasts. An increase in the estrogen hormone in the body, due to birth control pills or hormone therapy, is also responsible for triggering the growth of unhealthy cells. The early symptoms of breast cancer is the growth of a hard lump, felt during self examination, in the breast. This lump may be benign, but can turn malignant after a while. As the lump grows in size, it can affect the lymph nodes and even metastasize to other organs, thereby affecting them. The stage 3 breast cancer is further divided, based on the size and spread of the tumor.

• The first subtype of stage 3A breast cancer is where the lump's size is less than 5 cm and it has affected the nearby lymph nodes. The lump in the second subtype of stage 3A breast cancer is more than 5 cm and has attacked the lymph nodes in the armpit and sternum (or breastbone).
• In stage 3B, the harmful cells have spread to the chest and have also affected the skin. This type of stage 3 breast cancer is referred to as inflammatory breast cancer, where the breast becomes swollen and the areola reddens. This is the point where it can lead to stage 4 breast cancer.
• The stage 3C of breast cancer is more severe in nature, since the cancer has metastasized beyond the lymph nodes in the chest region and has invaded other healthy organs. This is an inoperable stage, since the tumor has metastasized above the clavicle (or collarbone) and may have affected the brain.

Stage 3 Breast Cancer Treatment

Treatment options for stage 3 breast cancer depends on the metastasis of this dreadful disease. Timely treatment can reduce the severity of this disease and increase the life expectancy of the patient. Here are some breast cancer treatment methods that are undertaken to try and cure this life threatening disorder. With the help of these treatment methods, the stage 3 breast cancer life expectancy can be improved to a certain extent.

• Just like all the types of cancers, breast cancer is also treated with the help of chemotherapy. This method involves the use of certain kinds of drugs which help in reducing the size of the tumor. It also destroys cancerous cells to some extent.
• After chemotherapy has been administered, the doctor may opt for surgery to remove the tumor and other affected tissues in the breast. This procedure is known as lumpectomy. In case the breast has been affected, then the patient may have to undergo mastectomy, a surgery where the entire breast, along with the tumor and lymph nodes, is removed.
• A modern approach for treating the breast cancer stages, especially stage 3 breast cancer is the use of biological therapy. In this therapy, herceptin, a drug which prevents the formation of HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, a protein which may trigger breast cancer.
• Hormone therapy is another method implemented to treat breast cancer. Drugs like anastrozole and tamoxifen are administered, which block the production of estrogen and other hormones responsible for the metastasis of the cancerous cells.
• Radiation is also used to destroy the remaining cancerous cells in the breasts and other parts of the body. This therapy is usually carried out after surgery. With new insights in breast cancer research, many advanced drugs and treatment methods to stop the spread of this disease have come into existence.

The stage 3 and stage 4 cancer survival rate is unfortunately not so positive. The stage 3 breast cancer survival rates, determined by the type of stage 3 breast cancer, for five years can range between 50 to 70 percent. Thanks to new breakthroughs in medicine, women suffering from breast cancer can now lead a near normal life. Hope you found this brief overview on stage 3 breast cancer an informative one.

Stage 3 Breast Cancer

When a group of cells in the body begin to develop in an unnatural manner and at an abnormal pace, it can result in one of the most dreaded diseases known to man - cancer. These carcinogenic cells are not confined to a particular region in the body, but can develop anywhere and at any time. Similarly breast cancer can occur when there is an abnormal growth of tumor in the breast. Based on the spread of the cancerous cells, the stages of breast cancer are determined. Let's have a detailed look at stage 3 breast cancer and its treatment options, along with breast cancer stages survival rate.

Stage 3 Breast Cancer: A Snapshot

As mentioned earlier, breast cancer is caused due to the presence of abnormal cells in the breast. These cells may develop in either one or both the breasts. An increase in the estrogen hormone in the body, due to birth control pills or hormone therapy, is also responsible for triggering the growth of unhealthy cells. The early symptoms of breast cancer is the growth of a hard lump, felt during self examination, in the breast. This lump may be benign, but can turn malignant after a while. As the lump grows in size, it can affect the lymph nodes and even metastasize to other organs, thereby affecting them. The stage 3 breast cancer is further divided, based on the size and spread of the tumor.

• The first subtype of stage 3A breast cancer is where the lump's size is less than 5 cm and it has affected the nearby lymph nodes. The lump in the second subtype of stage 3A breast cancer is more than 5 cm and has attacked the lymph nodes in the armpit and sternum (or breastbone).
• In stage 3B, the harmful cells have spread to the chest and have also affected the skin. This type of stage 3 breast cancer is referred to as inflammatory breast cancer, where the breast becomes swollen and the areola reddens. This is the point where it can lead to stage 4 breast cancer.
• The stage 3C of breast cancer is more severe in nature, since the cancer has metastasized beyond the lymph nodes in the chest region and has invaded other healthy organs. This is an inoperable stage, since the tumor has metastasized above the clavicle (or collarbone) and may have affected the brain.

Stage 3 Breast Cancer Treatment

Treatment options for stage 3 breast cancer depends on the metastasis of this dreadful disease. Timely treatment can reduce the severity of this disease and increase the life expectancy of the patient. Here are some breast cancer treatment methods that are undertaken to try and cure this life threatening disorder. With the help of these treatment methods, the stage 3 breast cancer life expectancy can be improved to a certain extent.

• Just like all the types of cancers, breast cancer is also treated with the help of chemotherapy. This method involves the use of certain kinds of drugs which help in reducing the size of the tumor. It also destroys cancerous cells to some extent.
• After chemotherapy has been administered, the doctor may opt for surgery to remove the tumor and other affected tissues in the breast. This procedure is known as lumpectomy. In case the breast has been affected, then the patient may have to undergo mastectomy, a surgery where the entire breast, along with the tumor and lymph nodes, is removed.
• A modern approach for treating the breast cancer stages, especially stage 3 breast cancer is the use of biological therapy. In this therapy, herceptin, a drug which prevents the formation of HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, a protein which may trigger breast cancer.
• Hormone therapy is another method implemented to treat breast cancer. Drugs like anastrozole and tamoxifen are administered, which block the production of estrogen and other hormones responsible for the metastasis of the cancerous cells.
• Radiation is also used to destroy the remaining cancerous cells in the breasts and other parts of the body. This therapy is usually carried out after surgery. With new insights in breast cancer research, many advanced drugs and treatment methods to stop the spread of this disease have come into existence.

The stage 3 and stage 4 cancer survival rate is unfortunately not so positive. The stage 3 breast cancer survival rates, determined by the type of stage 3 breast cancer, for five years can range between 50 to 70 percent. Thanks to new breakthroughs in medicine, women suffering from breast cancer can now lead a near normal life. Hope you found this brief overview on stage 3 breast cancer an informative one.

Pain in Left Breast Area

One of the most disturbing conditions for a woman to experience is breast pain. If the whole cycle of menstruation and period related cramps wasn't enough, we need to now say hello to a new type of complaint - breast pain. This condition is not just discomforting, but many women even think twice about going to the doctor out of sheer embarrassment. But the fact is that breast pain, be pain in left breast area or right breast area is a lot more common than you think. So for all those people that are wondering 'what causes pain in my left breast area?', here is a list of various causes that can lead to this condition.

Pain in the Left Breast Area: Causes & Treatment

Mastitis & Clogged Ducts
One of the common causes of pain in left breast area in lactating women is mastitis. Mastitis is the inflammation of the breast tissue that may be caused due to an infection, or a clogged milk duct or may be brought on by some kind of an injury. This is usually seen in women who are breastfeeding and the various mastitis symptoms include redness, swelling and sharp pain in left breast when breathing. There may also be systemic symptoms like fever and chills, malaise and other symptoms that may even mimic the flu. The mastitis treatment will entail treating the underlying cause or infection in the body.

Ulcer and GI Related Conditions
There are many important structures that are present in the vicinity of the breast area. The area just under the left breast is what houses the stomach. Hence, if a person is suffering from pain under left breast, then this could be due to a stomach ulcer or even due to heartburn. A stomach ulcer will typically cause pain after eating, especially, after eating a heavy meal that contained spicy food. However, due to the proximity of the stomach to the left breast, it may be difficult for the woman to differentiate between pain in left breast/chest area and pain in the upper abdominal area. A few tests, like a CT scan or a barium swallow can help diagnose this condition correctly. Ulcer treatment will consist of taking antacids and in cases of severe conditions, it may end up being an emergency condition requiring surgical intervention.

Fibrocystic Breast Disease and Breast Cancer
There are many different conditions that can lead to the formation of a painful lump in the breast. Not all breast cancers are malignant. There are many benign conditions that could lead to the formation of a lump in the breast. These include fibroid breast tumors, fibroadenomas, intraductal papillomas, etc. In fact, sometimes, what may appear as a lump may in fact be a cyst in the breast. All of these conditions can lead to sharp pain in left breast area. A malignant breast cancer can especially be diagnosed by identifying the early symptoms of breast cancer, like breast tenderness, pain, dimpling of skin, swollen and tender nipples, etc. Breast cancer treatment will range from surgical removal of the lump to radiation and chemotherapy, depending on the type of breast cancer.

Other Causes
There are many other causes of pain in left breast area. Muscle pain, especially pectoral muscle pain may be wrongly interpreted as breast pain. However, at times, breast pain may even be physiological. This may occur due to hormonal changes in the body of a woman, like it may be one of the early pregnancy symptoms before missed period. Some women may experience breast pain and breast tenderness before period. If a person experiences left breast pain in the morning, then it may be due to sleeping in an improper position. In such cases, there is no need for any kind of treatment for breast pain, as the pain resolves on its own after a while.

This was all about the various causes and treatment options for pain in left breast area. This is a symptom that may or may not be indicative of a serious underlying disorder. Hence, it is best to not take any chances and instead go to the doctor and get the condition diagnosed and treated at the earliest.