CARCINOMA OF BREAST

1. The spread of breast cancer is principally by metastasis to the regional lymph nodes. Haematogenous spread of mammary carcinoma is common – Dissemination to the pelvis, spine, femur, humerus, skull, liver or lungs is frequent. Breast cancer is also manifested clinically as a firm of hard, nontender, fixed mass of lump with ill-defined margins.
2. A familial predisposition to breast cancer is recognised and cancer tends to occur at an early age in such families.

Ques. 2 What are the types of Breast carcinoma?

Ans.  Principally 4 varieties of breast cancer –

• Adenocarcinoma – This cancer is soft and voluminous.
• Intraductal carcinoma- It grows along and within lactiferous ducts (2 types- Intraductal papillary carcinoma and intra-ductal comedocarcinoma).
• Scirrhous carcinoma- This is a hard, irregular, unencapsulated adherent nodule whose cut surface is grayish and translucent.
• Medullary carcinoma – This is a soft bulky tumor with a propensity to ulcerate and form a fungating surface ulceration.

Ques. 3 What are the clinical findings of this disease?

Ans.  CLINICAL FINDINGS –

• Examination of the breast should be methodical, meticulous, and delicate; initially, careful inspection and palpation should be done.
• X-Ray Findings : Mammography – Great helpful in the diagnosis of breast cancer.
• Biopsy – Breast biopsy is indicated in cases of persistent breast mass, bloody nipple discharge, eczematous nipple changes and suspicious or positive mammography.
• A painless lump is the initial finding in the great majority of cases of breast cancer.
• Nipple discharge or ulceration, itching, retraction, or pain is occasionally reported.

Ques. 4 Can we prevent Breast carcinoma?

Ans. Prevention – Because the cause is unknown and probably multiple, prevention is not possible. Death can be postponed and serious complications partially and completely avoided by early diagnosis and prompt therapy.

Ques. 5 How can the breast carcinoma case be managed?

Ans.   MANAGEMENT –

• Radiation therapy.
• Surgical – (i) Simple mastectomy. (ii) Standard radical mastectomy (iii) Modified radical mastectomy

Prognosis -  Evidence is mounting that breast cancer is systemic as well as a neoplastic disease and that prognosis is therefore closely related to cell-mediated immune defenses against the tumor.

Ques. 6 Which Homoeopathic medicines can be useful in this case?

Ans.  Homoeopathic remedies –

• GRAPHITES – If developed from old cicatrices formed from repeated abscesses in the mammae.
• KREOSOTE – The whole mammary gland is hard, bluish-red and covered with little scurfy protuberances, from which blood oozes out whenever the scurf is removed.
• LACHESIS – The cancer has a bluish or dark red base, interspersed with black streaks of coagulated or decomposed blood.
• APIS MELL – Induration; scirrhous, or open cancers, attended with ‘stinging burning’ pains.
• ARSENIC ALB – Burning like fire. Putrid exhalations. Waxy paleness, great debility from the cancerous affection. Great loss of flesh.

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