Invasive Breast Cancer
Invasive Breast Cancer may be diagnosed after a patient has noted a clinical concern, or routinely on surveillance breast imaging. The presentations are varied from small non-palpable tumours to large locally advanced disease.
The workup of a breast cancer requires a thorough history and examination, appropriate breast imaging, usually including mammography and ultrasound scan bilaterally. In addition histology (tissue from the cancer) is required for diagnosis. This is usually gained from a core biopsy or FNA (Fine-needle aspiration).
The most commonly diagnosed breast cancers are Invasive Carcinoma NST (no specific type), previous Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, and Invasive Lobular Carcinoma.
Appropriate management of Breast Cancer depends on the cancer stage based on the tumour, node, metastases (TNM) system.
Most patients will progress to surgical excision for their breast cancer as the first step in their treatment. However some patient require other initially therapy eg chemotherapy prior to surgical intervention.
The important reminder in regards to a patient’s Breast Cancer journey is that each patient is treated individually based on their tumour characteristics. Not every patient will receive exactly the same treatment regime.
