When breast cancer is curable

Breast cancer is an oncological pathology in which the cells of an organ begin to divide uncontrollably and cease to function normally, leading to the formation of a malignant tumor. This is one of the most common oncological diseases – in terms of frequency (after lung cancer), it ranks second in the world. Every year, the number of oncologist patients increases by 1-2%.

But there is some good news. Recently, there has been a real breakthrough in the treatment of breast cancer, and today the disease is no longer a verdict. It cannot be said that the disease has completely ceased to pose a threat to life, but with timely treatment, its success rate increases significantly.

Stages of the disease

The stage of breast cancer shows the extent of the pathological process. When determining it, the size of the tumor is taken into account, as well as damage to lymph nodes and other organs.

Experts identify the following stages:

• 0-I – the tumor is just beginning. Despite the fact that it still does not affect the state of health, it can already be detected by X-ray examination. But, unfortunately, this can be done only in 5% of cases.
• 1st – the formation begins to grow, its size during this period does not exceed 2 cm in diameter. There are no metastases.
• 2nd, the tumor reaches 2-5 cm and may metastasize to the axillary lymph nodes.
• 3rd – the neoplasm exceeds 5 cm (not always), metastases appear in nearby lymph nodes and organs.
• 4th – cancer spreads to distant internal organs.

Treatment methods are selected depending on the stage of the disease.

How breast cancer is treated abroad

Surgical intervention remains the mainstay of treatment. But his methods have changed significantly. Organ-sparing techniques are a priority for foreign oncologists today. In the 0-2 stages, lumpectomy (partial removal of the breast) is increasingly resorted to.

But even with extensive surgeries, surgeons try to save the surrounding tissues, nearby muscles, and regional lymph nodes. A more gentle intervention allows you to preserve the function of the shoulder joint, avoid pain and loss of tissue sensitivity.

Significant changes have occurred with the use of chemotherapy. Its effectiveness has increased significantly thanks to new drugs. And in the early stages, some types of tumors are treated without surgery, only with the help of chemotherapy.

Radiation therapy has also gained new opportunities. Today, the accelerated irradiation technique is widely used abroad. When using it, the patient receives a higher dose of radiation during the sessions, which reduces the therapeutic course to 4 weeks.

Using modern methods increases the chances of recovery. At stages 0-1, the prognosis of cancer therapy success is almost 100%, at stages 2 - 93%, at stages 3 - 72%.

But even with the most unfavorable prognosis, doctors from foreign clinics help patients improve their condition and significantly prolong their lives.