Mammary carcinoma - breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and is very rare in men. The therapy usually consists of a combination of surgery, cytostatics, hormone therapy and radiotherapy, adapted to the stage of the disease. New approaches in the field of cancer immunotherapy are also made possible, among other things, by monoclonal antibodies. During the operation, the degenerated cells are completely removed and a recurrence is to be prevented. Breast-conserving therapy is now possible for 60-70% of patients. After the operation, many patients with a higher risk of recurrence receive chemotherapy to kill the remaining tumor cells. As a rule, cytostatic combinations are used (Wikipedia). Chemotherapy is mainly suitable for the treatment of non-hormone-dependent breast cancer. Between the cycles of treatment with cytostatics, which are used individually, there is a break in treatment in order to keep side effects to a minimum. The cytostatics are often administered as an infusion. Unfortunately, chemotherapy also damages healthy cells. Healthy tissue with a high rate of division, such as the intestinal mucosa, is attacked. Bone marrow damage also occurs. It then produces fewer white and red blood cells. This results in an increased susceptibility to infections, anemia and coagulation disorders. The lack of red blood cells causes tiredness and exhaustion. Since the cytostatics attack the hair roots, hair loss occurs. Because chemotherapy drugs irritate the vomiting center in the brain, nausea and vomiting occur. The mucous membranes in the digestive tract are attacked. Painful inflammation of the mouth and throat is a burden (Netdoktor). Radiation therapy for breast cancer is carried out when there is a risk after surgery that the tumor may recur due to renewed growth in the breast area, the breast wall or the lymph nodes. Acute side effects of radiation are reddening of the skin. Thickening, discoloration and increased sensitivity to irritation are long-term consequences. If parts of the lungs or trachea are in the radiation field, there is a risk of irritation and pneumonia, even without germs being the trigger. Lung function can be impaired in the long term by scarring. If the heart or thyroid were in the radiation field, heart disease or thyroid disease would occur. After irradiation of the armpit, there is a risk of developing lymphedema. Furthermore, there is a low risk that tissue damage from radiation will lead to tumor formation (krebsinformationsdienst.de). In addition to surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, antihormonal therapy is performed. It aims to block the formation or action of mainly estrogens. The growth of hormone-sensitive tumor cells should be stopped. A relapse or further progression of the disease can often be prevented in this way. Hormone withdrawal is also known as endocrine therapy or anti-hormone therapy, or hormone therapy for short. Symptoms such as those experienced during menopause (krebsinformationsdienst.de) occur as a side effect. In addition to the classic therapies, there is also the option of immunotherapy for breast cancer. A distinction is made between active and passive vaccination. With active immunization, the patient is administered cancer vaccines that are intended to trigger an immune response. During passive immunization, the patient receives antibodies or antibody fragments. These should bind selectively to tumor cells and thus lead to their destruction (Wikipedia). Side effects of passive immunotherapy are: chronic or acute inflammation in the intestine with: diarrhoea, cramping pain, flatulence, vomiting, weight loss, tiredness, inflammation of the skin, inflammation of the liver (immuntherapiekrebs.de). Interferon and antibodies are used as substances in this therapy. Dendritic cell therapy is an active vaccination. It is effective in breast cancer without the serious side effects of other forms of therapy. Only flu-like symptoms occur.