Introduction Metastases are daughter tumours of a primary tumour that can be found in practically any tissue of the body, even very far away from the actual tumour. As with all types of cancer, breast cancer can also be divided into different ways of spreading, through which the original tumour can spread. Firstly, there is … Metastasis in breast cancer
Hematogenous metastases For haematogenic metastasis, there are certain organs for each tumour that are preferentially affected. The reason for this has not yet been finally clarified. The organs that are typically affected by distant metastases in breast cancer (breast carcinoma) are As soon as distant metastases are diagnosed, the chances of survival of patients are … Hematogenous metastases | Metastasis in breast cancer
Metastases in the brain Brain metastases from breast cancer can worsen the prognosis and reduce the chances of cure. However, they do not occur very frequently. The brain is not routinely examined during so-called “staging” and in the search for metastases. Only when certain symptoms of a known breast cancer disease lead to the suspicion … Metastases in the brain | Metastasis in breast cancer
Metastases on the spinal column The skeleton is a relatively common site for metastases of breast cancer. Nearly 3 out of 4 organ metastases of breast cancer are located in the bone. In particular, the individual vertebral bodies are frequently affected by cancer cells, which can have various consequences. In general, the prognosis for bone … Metastases on the spinal column | Metastasis in breast cancer
Excision biopsy An excision biopsy is a surgical procedure; it is therefore also called surgical or open biopsy. Under general anaesthesia, the entire suspicious area is removed from the breast and then sent for examination by the pathologist. The final confirmation of the diagnosis can only be made by removing the entire breast node with … Excision biopsy | Importance of biopsy for breast cancer diagnostics
Biopsy, fine needle puncture, punch biopsy, vacuum biopsy, MIBB = minimally invasive breast biopsy, excision biopsy Biopsy (tissue sample) Despite the exhaustion of all diagnostic possibilities, often only a biopsy provides final clarity on the question of whether the tumour is benign or malignant. If a biopsy is performed, this does not necessarily mean that … Importance of biopsy for breast cancer diagnostics
Examination of the tissue sample The sensitivity and quantity of hormone receptors on the cancer cells, i.e. the quantity of receptors for the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, is determined by biochemical examination of the tissue sample. Since tumour cells are characterised by a disturbance of the normal functions of a cell, the ability … Examination of the tissue sample | Importance of biopsy for breast cancer diagnostics
Does a biopsy carry cancer cells? As this question is frequently asked, this risk should be given special attention. Patients often express the fear that cancer cells could be distributed in the breast by taking a tissue sample. This fear is essentially unfounded. Research has shown that the growth of individual cancer cells in the … Does a biopsy carry cancer cells? | Importance of biopsy for breast cancer diagnostics
Stereotactic procedures The term stereotactic (stereo = spatial, taxis = order or orientation) is used to describe various techniques that involve working under X-ray control. By taking several images from different directions, the physician can orientate himself spatially when performing the biopsy and locate the findings precisely. Stereotactic procedures are mostly used for the biopsy … Stereotactic procedures | Importance of biopsy for breast cancer diagnostics