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Overview
Advanced breast cancer is diagnosed as Locally Advanced Breast Cancer (LABC). This type of breast cancer has a large breast tumor that is at least 5 centimeters in diameter or larger. This tumor attaches itself to the skin of the breast or the underlying muscle of the chest wall. Patients with this type of breast cancer have extensive involvement of their lymph nodes and can also be associated with Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC).
Signs and Symptoms
Locally Advanced Breast Cancer (LABC) can be felt by the patient and her physician easily due to its size. Often the 5 centimeter or larger tumor is visible under the skin. The tumor is not free floating under the skin but attached or fixed to the muscles underlying or the skin that is overlying. The attachment of the tumor indicates to a doctor it is not a cyst that will vary in size or location by manipulating the area or the time in the patient's menstrual cycle. The location of the tumor can vary. You may find the tumor located in the skin over the breast tissue, above or below the collarbone. The tumor may also be in the lymph nodes nearest the breast tissue or auxiliary lymph nodes.
The Next Step
A mammogram will be performed on the affected breast to determine the exact location, size and if there are any other affected areas not yet formed into a sizable lump. A mammogram will also be done on the other breast to determine if it is affected.
Biopsy
The physician will order an ultrasound and a MRI if there are areas of suspicious changes to determine what type of biopsy is needed. The biopsy will be performed to determine if the tumor has hormone receptors. In LABC, 50 to 70 percent of the tumors require estrogen to grow. Your tumor can be Estrogen Receptor (ER), Progesterone Receptor (PR) or require both to grow. Your physician will determine if you are a candidate for "anti-estrogen" medication. The anti-estrogen medication is a weak version of the hormone estrogen and attaches itself to cancer cells limiting their ability to grow and produce additional cancer cells. The biopsy results will also be studied for Protein HER2. It is present in 1/3 of the cases of LABC.
Additional Tests
Your physician may recommend additional tests to determine the stage your cancer is in. This will also determine if the cancer has spread and the locations affected. The tests include blood tests, complete blood count and liver function tests, bone scan, chest x-ray or a CT scan, CT scan of your abdomen and pelvis, CT scan or MRI of your brain and pet scan. The results of these additional tests will determine the course of treatment that your physician will recommend.
What You Can Do
Locally Advanced Breast Cancer is considered to be a stage three cancer. You can increase your chances of full recovery by monthly breast self-exams, yearly physicals, regular mammograms and following up on any changes in your breasts.
