Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Staging, Complications and Side-Effects of Treatment - Assignment Example

Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Staging, Complications and Side-Effects of Treatment. Cancer has grown over timeto be the most risk and disastrous disease in recent times, and its effects are already evident in the medical care spectrum. The disease affects several parts of our body giving rise to several categories thus, making it difficult to either control or treat. Some of the prevalent classes include breast, cervical, lung, kidney, skin, and blood cancer among many other classes of cancers. Each cancer disease entails different diagnosis approach as the staging of phases differs from one patient to the other. Not only is the diagnosis and treatment difficult, but the resulting treatment complications, side effect, which makes the exercise entirely painful and scarring. However, with several studies of the disease underway, a number of methods to lessen the psychological and physical effects are available. This paper is a critical approach to breast cancer diagnosis and staging, complications, side effects of treatment and the methods to address the after treatment effects. Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Staging Breast cancer is a disease that attacks the mammary glands and is common in women with a few cases in men. It is at times found after the appearance of symptoms, but on other instances early breast cancer does not show any of the symptoms (Tests & cancer, 2014). Therefore, there is need for time to time screening tests to ascertain if there is infection. The diagnostic test is carried out to establish the type of breast cancer the client suffers from before different therapies are initiated. For instance, if the patient’s cancer is positive oestrogen receptor, an endocrine therapy is adopted whereas if she has a positive HER2, a trastuzumab approach is warranted. The difference between the two is that, HER2 implies that the cancer cells have a protein facilitating their growth whereas the positive receptor oestrogen (ER-positive) breast cancer means that the cancer growth is facilitated by estrogen hormone (Nice.org.uk, 2014). In the diagnosis process, the doctor may ask the patient questions about symptoms, any other illness, and the duration of pains. The doctor will then carefully examine the breast for any lumps, the texture, and extent in comparison to the skin and may be chest muscles. In addition, any changes in breast nipples ought examination as well as the lymph nodes within the armpit and the collarbones. Such examination is necessary because the presence of firm and enlarged lymph nodes may point to a multiply of breast cancer. If the physical examination results suggest breast cancer presence, the doctor may recommend more advanced diagnosis. Some of these methods include image exam, nipple discharge check, mammogram check, and Biopsy check (Cancer.org, 2014). Mammogram check: This x-ray examination is recommended when there are no symptoms to indicate cancer infection. The mammogram screening typically captures two x-ray views all taken from different angles of each breast. However, the diagnostic mammogram is used on women who have already shown symptoms. Such diagnosis can reveal different situations. First, that the extent of infection is not worrying, and therefore, the patient can return routinely for mammograms. Secondly, it may reveal that the lesion has a high probability of being infected. Lastly, the lesion is very suspicious and therefore warrants a biopsied examination to authenticate the presence of cancer (Cancer.org, 2014). Image exam: This is a medical check-up with the use of x-rays, sound waves, magnetic and radioactive substance to create an image of the body’s mammary glands. The objective of imaging checks goes deeper in assessing whether the presumed suspicious area may be cancerous. They are also used to learn the extent of spread of cancer infection, and thus aid establishing whether treatment is warranted (Cancer.org, 2014). Nipple discharge checks: It involves inspection of breast nipples discharge with aid of a microscope to establish if the fluid collected contains any cancer cells in it. It is not obvious that any discharge is a cancer indication, for if the discharge appears milk or lucid green, cancer infection is unlikely. However, if the secretion is reddish or red-brown, indicating that it has blood in it, such scenario may probably suggest cancer presence. The suggestion must always consider history of the patient, for sometimes such discharge can be due to injury or any other infection. When the doctor is not sure of cancer absence despite unavailability of cancer cells, it becomes necessary for a biopsy examination (Cancer.org, 2014). Biopsy check: This breast examination is done when the rest of tests such as imaging, mammograms, or any other physical tests indicate breast abnormality and possibly cancerous breast. The check serves to establish fully if the patient real cancer infected. In the test, a sample from the infected breast is detached by a specialist or pathologist and is keenly observed with a microscope (Cancer.org, 2014). Frequently, a tiny metal clip or marker is placed inside the breast at the biopsied spot after the sample is detached. The clip is essential in establishing the spot again in prospect examination and surgery (Cancer.org, 2014). From the examination, the doctor will determine the degree of lesion, the location of the lesion, and the best medication. Staging: The degree of infection of the breast of the woman gives the specialist a clue of the prognosis- that is the probable result of the disease and that guides in the informed medication decisions. From the diagnostic tests on the breasts, the doctor determines through evaluation and develops an appropriate treatment plan for the patient’s case. With this information, the doctor assigns roman numbers I through IV to describe the stage of breast cancer: Stage I: A patient is assigned stage I, if the tumor measures up to 2 cm and the cancer cells have not spread either to nodes or outside the breast (Mayoclinic.org, n.d.). Stage II: It is also known as invasive stage. Here the tumor is larger than that of stage I, but the cancer cells have not extended to distant body parts. Therefore, a patient is assigned stage two if the tumor is 2-5 cm and cancer may or not have spread to auxiliary lymph nodes; is more than 5 centimeters with no spread to (A) auxiliary lymph nodes. Alternatively, tumor is less than 2 centimeters, but cancer cells have spread not more than 3 of (B) auxiliary lymph nodes. Lastly, no tumor, but the cells are detectable only within three auxiliary nodes (Mayoclinic.org, n.d.). Stage III: This is the locally advanced cancer stage whereby the cancer cells may have stretched to the breast nearby lymph nodes which include areas of the arm or collarbone. Assigning a patient this stage is characterized by: 5cm tumor diameter size, with the spread of cancer cells to nodes; however the nodes are detached. Less than 5 cm tumor diameter, but the cancer cells spread into nodes is evident and to nearby tissues. Finally, the tumor may be less than 5 cm, but the cell spread has gone beyond lymph nodes to collarbone (Mayoclinic.org, n.d.). Stage IV: Also known as the metastatic breast cancer stage. This is the most advanced stage whose features include an extensive spread of cancer cells to other body parts. Often the spread extends to the brain, bones, lungs, liver, bones, and the lungs and therefore this stage demands doctor’s intensive care and medication (Mayoclinic.org, n.d.). Complications with available treatment Lymphoedema: It is a complication characterized by buildup of excess fluid on the breast that is being treated and often the upsurge extends towards the arm and hand on the identical side of the body. In case the patient had the mastectomy that is the removal of the breast, this complication may infect the part of the chest where the breast originally occupied. The complications may occur immediately after treatment or weeks, months or years later on. Frequent occurrence is most after lymph node amputation, radiotherapy or if cancer cells are on the underarm (Nice.org.uk, 2014). Skin swelling and aching are often the effects the patient will experience. The hand or arm sometimes becomes heavier to lift, and such symptoms can last for months following the treatment (Nice.org.uk, 2014). Treatment: As the first step, the doctor will explain that there is no indication prior treatment prevents or causes the lymphoedema complication, but rather an attempt to improve the life quality. After the specialist assesses if the causes of the complication are treatable, the treatment is invoked to cure specific symptoms. The treatment embodies special bandages and special clothing to put on the parts where complications are pertinent (Nice.org.uk, 2014). Cancer-related exhaustion: fatigue is one of the top-most complications of breast cancer treatment and is commonly consequential after chemotherapy. From a statistical point of view, it occurs in nine out of ten breast cancer women-patients, and in almost half of the breast cancer patients who have completed treatment (Nice.org.uk, 2014). The patient will constantly feel not having energy and are abnormally tired. Loss of interest in favorite things is common and patients with this complication. Treatment: the doctor offers a keen assessment to ascertain whether there are reversible causing factors for fatigue that can without difficulty be treated. The doctor should provide information on cancer-related fatigue and details of patient-closer organization or groups to facilitate the exercise program (Nice.org.uk, 2014). Uncontrolled local disease complications: This complication develops whenever it happens that the tumor was not completely destroyed during the treatment and often causes more harm to the part or spot. Sometimes, painful ulcers may resurge on the breast that necessitates treatment. Treatment: considering that there are a number of treatment options, the doctor should talk to the patient of treatment decisions. The options include those of controlling the complication, relieving pain symptoms, and provision of psychological support to aid a woman cope with the disease effects. In the treatment process, specialists in wound care and analgesic specialist should be called upon in treating uncontrolled confined diseases (Nice.org.uk, 2014). Bone and brain metastases: Bone complications occur when breast cancer spreads to bones. Often the bones become weak and are at higher risk of breaking or fracturing, and lots of pain is prevalent. The available treatments include drugs known as bisphosphonates to strengthen the patient’s bones. If the pain keeps on, or does not improve, a radiotherapy procedure is necessary. Finally, if there is a probable risk of amputation or breaking of leg or arm, an orthopaedic surgeon’s assessment is vital for prospect treatment. On the other hand, brain metastases are complications whereby the spread of breast cancer cells goes into the brain. The symptoms include serious headaches, noticeable changes in patient’s speech, unreliable or loss memory and challenges in movement. Treatment involves surgery provision with a follow-up radiotherapy as deemed appropriate by the specialists. However, if the surgery is deemed appropriate, the patient may be offered radiotherapy only (Nice.org.uk, 2014). Psychological and physical side effects and method to lessen them Psychological side effects: in fighting breast cancer, it is common for women-patients to go through emotional anguish at almost all stages. It may be at efforts to cope with the diagnosis process, during and after treatment complications, or continued anxiety of breast cancer recurrence. The emotions brought by breast cancer disease are devastating and often difficult to handle. Breast cancer attracts a range of emotions, including, but not limited to: frustrations, fear of uncertainty, grief, depressions and helplessness feeling (Tests & cancer, 2014). Method: Patients are advised to pick a new outlook and focus only on what they can change and let go what is beyond their reach during the treatment. Also, encouraged to share their feelings and reach out to family, friends and sometimes to spiritual counselors and leaders and professional counseling. This is so to invoke and restore the lost self-esteem. In terms of feeding, they are advised to adopt a healthy lifestyle and mind nutrition and exercises. The exercises may include mind-body practices such as laughter therapies, stress management intercession, vigor therapies, and relaxation therapy. Psychological care is an integral part of cancer treatment for it helps the patient feel relaxed to cope with treatment and enjoy life although (Tests & cancer, 2014) Physical side effects: Like psychological effects, the list of physical effects is extensive such as include loss of hair, mouth soreness and vomiting and nausea and so forth. However, a common side physical side effect is the loss of hair. As with hair loss (alopecia), while chemotherapy destroys cancer cells, some chemo drugs often damage hair follicle cells resulting to head, facial, pubic, auxiliary and body hair. Even though the patients may undergo the same treatment, some patients experience hair loss while others do not or at anecdotal degrees (Tests & cancer, 2014). Lessening Method: In lessening this effect, the patients are advised that before deciding on the hairpiece, they ought to have it in advance before the loss commences. That way, it is to match the color, texture and the style of the hair. They are also encouraged to employ gentle and mild shampoos and conditioners. Rinse the hair thoroughly and mildly dry to avoid harming their hair. Patients should also keep away from hair dryers, and curling and electric rollers prevent use of hair clips and elastic bands (Tests & cancer, 2014). References Cancer.org,. (2014). How is breast cancer diagnosed? | American Cancer Society. Retrieved 8 November 2014, from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/detailedguide/breast-cancer-diagnosis Mayoclinic.org,. Slide show: Stages of breast cancer - Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 8 November 2014, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer/multimedia/stage-of-breast-cancer/sls-20076413?s=6 Nice.org.uk,. (2014). Advanced breast cancer (update): Diagnosis and treatment | complications | Information for the public | NICE. Retrieved 8 November 2014, from http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg81/ifp/chapter/complications Nice.org.uk,. Advanced breast cancer (update): Diagnosis and treatment | scans-and-tests | Information for the public | NICE. Retrieved 8 November 2014, from http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg81/ifp/chapter/scans-and-tests tests, L., & cancer, b. (2014). Breast Cancer Tests: Tumor & Genetic Tests | CTCA. Cancercenter.com. Retrieved 8 November 2014, from http://www.cancercenter.com/breast-cancer/lab-tests/ Read More