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The secrets behind different breast cancer types: Why are some so aggressive?
The classification of breast cancer is not only a basic medical technology, but also carries a deep understanding and care for patients' lives. Among the diversity of breast cancer, why do some types of breast cancer become extremely aggressive and increasingly life-threatening to patients? The reason for this is not only related to pathology, but also involves the biological mechanism of cancer.
The main purpose of classification is to select the best treatment plan.
Breast cancer can be classified based on different criteria, including histopathological type, tumor grade, tumor stage, and protein and gene expression. These classifications are constantly being updated as our understanding of cancer cell biology increases. Correct classification can help doctors formulate appropriate treatment plans for patients, thereby improving the treatment effect of the disease.
Main classification criteria for breast cancer
The classification of breast cancer usually includes the following main aspects:
1. Histopathology
The vast majority of breast cancers originate from the epithelial tissue of breast ducts or lobules and are mainly classified as breast ductal carcinoma. Here, the proliferation of cancer cells is significantly different from the morphology of normal cells, and cancer cells may infiltrate surrounding tissues and form invasive tumors.
2. Tumor grade
Tumors are graded based on how similar cancer cells are to normal cells. According to the structural abnormalities of tumor cells, tumors can be classified as benign, moderately or highly differentiated, and are usually divided into low grade (well differentiated), intermediate grade (moderately differentiated), and highly differentiated (poorly differentiated).
3. Tumor staging
According to the staging system of the American League on Cancer (AJCC), breast cancer is divided into three parts: T (tumor size), N (involvement of lymph nodes), and M (whether distant metastasis occurs). The stage of the tumor not only affects the treatment strategy, but also has a direct and critical impact on the prognosis.
4. Receptor status
There may be multiple receptors on the surface of breast cancer cells and in their cytoplasm. The three most important ones include estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). The status of these receptors can help doctors develop individualized treatment plans.
Learning the specifics of a specific breast cancer may include testing the DNA or RNA of cancer cells.
The aggressiveness of breast cancer: grading versus staging
Certain types of breast cancer, such as triple-negative breast cancer, often grow rapidly and are more aggressive, making them more challenging to treat. In these cases, traditional therapies often have limited effectiveness, and patients may require more aggressive treatments. In addition, the grade of the tumor helps doctors evaluate the effectiveness of treatment and determine the intensity of treatment required by the patient.
Biological characteristics of different types of breast cancer
The biological characteristics of different types of breast cancer vary widely. In some cases, such as LOBULAR cancer, the tumor cells grow very slowly and the condition may be harmless. In contrast, inflammatory breast cancer can appear abruptly, often with redness and swelling of the skin, and is associated with a higher risk of cancer invasiveness.
Many breast cancers are accompanied by lymph node invasion or invasion of other tissues, and these conditions usually mean a poor prognosis.
Factors influencing treatment selection
The treatment chosen often depends on the type of breast cancer, and multiple classification criteria must be considered during diagnosis. In addition, the patient's health status, coexisting diseases, and lymph node status will all affect the final treatment choice. Although some tumors may be amenable to breast-conserving surgery, highly aggressive cases often require more aggressive treatments with side effects.
Conclusion
Through multiple classifications and detailed investigations of breast cancer, medical staff can formulate more reasonable treatment plans, thereby improving patient treatment outcomes and survival rates. However, in such a complex cancer context, can we truly understand the uniqueness of each cancer and provide the best personalized treatment plan for each patient?
