About Breast Cancer
Cancer is not a single disease but a group of diseases that share a process of cells growing, changing and multiplying out of control. Genes control and tell cells how to grow, work and restore themselves or die. Genes and cells are always being reproduced through a process called cell division. During the life of a cell, genes can be damaged by influences such as viruses, chemicals, radiation or mistakes made in cell division. If the genetically damaged cells do not die before reproducing, the damaged cells can forever divide and reproduce. When this occurs, the groups of damaged cells form a neoplasm, commonly known as a tumor.
There are two kinds of tumors: Benign and malignant. Benign tumors are not cancerous. They tend to grow slowly, do not invade surrounding tissues or travel to other parts of the body. These tumors are usually surrounded by a distinct fibrous capsule. For some women, breasts can feel lumpy and the nipple may discharge a clear liquid if a benign tumor is present.
Malignant tumors are cancerous cells that can travel to other parts of the body. Most cancer cells form a lump or mass called a tumor and are named for the part for the body where the tumor starts. Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the breast but can spread to lymph nodes, bones and other parts of the body. When the cells spread to other sites, these sites are called metastases. Though the cancer has spread to an area such as the bones, it is still called breast cancer.
Anatomy
A female breast is made up of lobules, ducts, fatty tissue, stroma, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and a nipple with a darkened area surrounding it called the areola. It is supported by fat and connective tissue. Lobules are glands that produce milk. Ducts are tubes that link lobules to the nipple. Milk passes through ducts. A breast has many ducts that meet at the nipple.
Stroma is made up of fatty tissue and ligaments that surround and structurally support the lobules, ducts, blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. Lymphatic vessels carry lymph, a clear fluid that contains tissue waste products and immune system cells, to lymph nodes in the underarm and chest.
Date effective: November 21, 2006
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There are two kinds of tumors: Benign and malignant. Benign tumors are not cancerous. They tend to grow slowly, do not invade surrounding tissues or travel to other parts of the body. These tumors are usually surrounded by a distinct fibrous capsule. For some women, breasts can feel lumpy and the nipple may discharge a clear liquid if a benign tumor is present.
Malignant tumors are cancerous cells that can travel to other parts of the body. Most cancer cells form a lump or mass called a tumor and are named for the part for the body where the tumor starts. Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the breast but can spread to lymph nodes, bones and other parts of the body. When the cells spread to other sites, these sites are called metastases. Though the cancer has spread to an area such as the bones, it is still called breast cancer.
Anatomy
A female breast is made up of lobules, ducts, fatty tissue, stroma, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and a nipple with a darkened area surrounding it called the areola. It is supported by fat and connective tissue. Lobules are glands that produce milk. Ducts are tubes that link lobules to the nipple. Milk passes through ducts. A breast has many ducts that meet at the nipple.
Stroma is made up of fatty tissue and ligaments that surround and structurally support the lobules, ducts, blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. Lymphatic vessels carry lymph, a clear fluid that contains tissue waste products and immune system cells, to lymph nodes in the underarm and chest.
Date effective: November 21, 2006
Content provided by HealthMark Multimedia
