Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Treatment in Kolkata

Breast cancer is a type of cancer in which cells in the breast divide and grow without control, forming a tumor. These cancer cells may remain in the breast or may spread to nearby lymph nodes. In later stages, they may even spread to other parts of the body (metastasis). In the Indian scenario, breast cancer is the one of the leading cancer among women. To the good news: Compared with what we knew a half century ago, early detection and modern treatments have significantly raised the likelihood of long-term survival for many people.

What is Breast Cancer? Types, Causes and Prevention

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is a serious condition in which some of the cells in the breast begin to grow out of control. These cells generally start in the milk ducts or the tiny glands (lobules) that produce milk.

Types of Breast Cancer

It is very important to know what kind of breast cancer it is in order to get the best treatment. It is determined by doing a biopsy and additional tests on it.. This gives oncologists an idea about the type of breast cancer and its treatment. The most common types include:

Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer: Cancer cells that have receptors for estrogen and progesterone. This type often has a better prognosis and responds to hormone-blocking therapies.
Breast Cancer with HER2 Overexpression: This kind has too many of a protein called HER2, so it can respond well to special targeted drugs.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC): Often more aggressive because it lacks the usual hormone receptors (estrogen, progesterone) or the HER2 protein.
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC): This is the most prevalent type of breast cancer (70-80% of all cases). It originates in the milk ducts and metastasizes to the breast tissue.
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC): This variety (5-10% of cases) spreads from the milk-producing lobules of the breast.
Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS): These are precancerous lesion . of ignored they can become cancerous. and often treated by surgery with or without radiotherapy
Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS): Another precancerous lesion.

Breast Cancer Risk Factors

There are a lot of things that can raise the risk of having breast cancer:

Age: Increasing age increases the risk of having breast cancer.
Genetics: Inherited mutations, particularly in BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene, greatly elevate risk.
Family History – If one’s mother, sister or daughter had breast cancer, the individual’s risk of having breast cancer is 2 to 4 times compared to the general polulation
Reproductive History: Early menarche or late menopause can raise risk just due to prolonged exposure to estrogen hormone. Other factors that could increase risk include having first child later in life or not breastfeeding the children at all
Hormonal Exposure: Prolonged exposure to estrogen, including use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), is a risk factor.
Lifestyle: Obesity and lack of physical activity are associated with breast cancer, as fat cells make estrogen which extends hormonal exposure. The risk of developing this cancer it is also higher among those who drink alcohol.
Previous Radiation Treatment: If one have had radiation therapy to your chest for another disease, the individual may have higher risk of developing breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Symptoms and Diagnosis – What You Need to Know Breast Cancer Warning Signs and Symptoms?

Early-stage breast cancer frequently presents with no overt symptoms. When they do have symptoms, they can be:

New painless lump/thickening in breast or axilla that doesn’t go away. At times because of the lack of any pain, people dismiss them, which results in a delayed diagnosis.
Increased size and/or fullness of one breast; one breast is noticeably larger/smaller than the other
Dimples or puckers in the skin of the breast, which may resemble an orange peel.
If nipple discharge, particularly if it is bloody, is present, it’s a red flag.
Inverted (pulled inward) nipple or other changes in the nipple’s shape.
Also look out for redness or a thickening of the breast skin – another warning sign.
Breast discomfort generally occurs in the advanced stages.

If you see any of these signs, seek out a specialist for a timely evaluation.

Common Question: What symptoms are associated with breast cancer? Answer: The common symptoms of breast cancer include a new lump in your breast or underarm, changes in the size or shape of your breast, skin dimpling, nipple discharge (particularly if its bloody), an inverted nipple, red or thickened breast skin, and breast pain that doesn’t go the way.

Diagnosis of Breast cancer:

Dr Sandip Ganguly will follow certain diagnostic modalities in diagnosing and determining the stage of breast cancer to decide the right treatment plan. To diagnose Breast Cancer correctly, comprehensive methodology is imperative.

Diagnostic Tools:

Mammogram

An X-ray of the breast to help in finding abnormal areas. It is also a common screening tool for cancer.

Ultrasound

This imaging is frequently used as a complement to a mammogram; it can help distinguish between solid lumps and fluid-filled cysts.

Breast MRI

This is for younger patients with dense breast tissue or those at high risk. It’s good for high-risk screening, for seeing how far cancer has spread and for clarification of inconclusive findings.

Biopsy

A core-needle biopsy is the usual means of obtaining a tissue sample to confirm cancer and ascertain its type. Special tests on this tissue (histopathology and IHC markers) are crucial to determining this cancer’s subtype.

Genetic Testing

This checks to see if you have an increased risk of breast cancer due to inherited gene changes, such as BRCA gene mutations.

PET-CT Scan

This scan is used to see if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Breast Cancer Staging :

Staging dictates the treatment approach and aids in estimating prognosis. It is TNM-based:

Stage 0 (Non-invasive): In stage 0, abnormal cells are present but have not spread to nearby tissue.
Stage I–II: Early stage cancer.
Stage III: Cancer has spread to local structures or lymph nodes (locally advanced).
Stage IV: Cancer has metastasized (spread to distant organs).

Fact: Prognosis for breast cancer is dramatically enhanced by early detection. A regular follow-up program for at-risk patients is important.

Best Breast Cancer Treatment Protocols by Dr. Sandip Ganguly

Breast cancer treatment is tailored and personalized based on the receptor status, patient’s condition and the stage of the disease. Dr Sandip Ganguly through his vast experience tailor the treatment plan of each patient after assessing all the parameters.

A.Surgery:

Surgery: This is the treatment for breast cancer that is localized or locally advanced. It may be given before or after other treatments, such as chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Types of surgery are as follows

Lumpectomy (Breast-Conserving Surgery): This removes only the tumor with a small edge of normal tissue around it.
Mastectomy: This procedure removes the whole breast. There are four main types: total, modified radical, skin-sparing and nipple-sparing.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) or Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (ALND): The tests to see whether cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit.

B. Chemotherapy:

Typical drug-drugs are Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide, Paclitaxel, Docetaxel and Carboplatin.
Treatment is individualized to minimize side effects and increase the efficacy as much as possible, to cure the patient from the disease

C. Radiation Therapy

This treatment involves high-energy rays that kill cancer cells. It’s a critical component of treatment for breast cancer that is localized or has locally spread.

It is usually administered after surgery and chemotherapy. It is decided based on the type of surgery and the histopathology report after surgeryIn metastatic disease it’s employed to aid in the relief of symptoms.

D. Targeted Therapy:

These drugs target particular mutations that help the cancer grow.

Targeted Therapy

HER2 positive cancers: Medications like Trastuzumab (Herceptin), Pertuzumab, T-DM1 (Trastuzumab emtansine), and TdXD (Trastuzumab Deruxtecan) are employed. Some are delivered with chemotherapy at first, followed by as single agent maintenance therapy. Some drugs are combinations of chemotherapy and targeted therapy

For Hormone Positive Breast Cancer: They use medicines like Palbociclib, Ribociclib, and Abemaciclib (CDK4/6 inhibitors). They have already shown remarkable results in metastatic cancer in terms of disease control. Now, along with hormone therapy, Ribociclib and Abemaciclib are also used for localized breast cancer after chemotherapy and surgery.

PARP inhibitors : For patients with breast cancer related to BRCA gene mutations, Olaparib is used as a post-surgery and post-chemotherapy adjuvant therapy in cases at high risk. It can even be substituted to chemotherapy in active metastatic disease. For the Best Targeted Therapy for Breast Cancer in Kolkata you can consult with the best one.

Hormonal Therapy

This is for hormone receptor-positive tumors.

It encompasses drugs such as Tamoxifen (for pre-menopausal women) and Aromatase inhibitors (for post-menopausal women). Hormonal therapy is a standard treatment for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, whether that’s with the goal of curing the disease or treating metastatic cancer.

Because ovaries are hormone-producing organs they increase the chances of recurrences for hormone positive breast cancer, ovarian suppression (either by removal or by monthly injections of a hormone) is recommended along with hormonal therapy for premenopausal females

Immunotherapy

These are drugs that stimulates one owns immune system to destroy the cancer cells. As of today it is used only for triple negative breast cancer and the approved agent is Pembrolizumab. Before surgery it is used for patients in combination with chemotherapy. In patients with metastatic disease it is used along with chemotherapy for patients with CPS score >10

Male Breast Cancer:

Though rare, breast cancer can also happen in males. Risk factors include having BRCA gene mutations and gynecomastia (male breast tissue enlargement). Dr Sandip Ganguly is well expertised to diagnose and treat men with breast cancer

Prevention, Screening, and Survivorship

Breast Cancer Screening and Preventive Measures

Screening is intended to find cancer early, when it is more likely to be treatable. General recommendations for screening include:

Self-breast examination: Take the time to do this each month and it can help you detect changes.
Mammography: X-ray of the breast, usually performed annually or biennially for women beginning at age 40 or 50 depending on individual risk and guidelines.
Clinical Breast Exam (CBE): A breast exam done by a health professional as part of regular check-ups. It also includes breast self-awareness which is to make one familiar with their own breasts regarding the look and feel and informing the doctor about changes.
MRI Breast: Involves use in young people with abnormal BRCA genes.

The importance of preventive oncology and healthy lifestyle habits, strict diet, regular physical activity, and abstinence from alcohol and tobacco is highlighted.

Living with Breast Cancer: Support and Advanced Management

A diagnosis of breast cancer can change your life. However, with early detection, new treatments, and good supportive care, many patients can live longer and better. This commitment to helping you return to good health is a cornerstone of the care provided. Key parts of long-term care include:

Regular follow-up appointments.
Managing any side effects from treatment.
Psychological counseling for emotional support.
Nutrition support to maintain strength.
Rehabilitation and care for conditions like lymphedema.
Personalized survivorship care plans.

Why To Choose Dr. Sandip Ganguly For Breast Cancer Treatment in Kolkata?

Having a decade of experience in treating different types of cancers, Dr. Sandip Ganguly has been efficient in earlier prediction, early diagnosis, specific clinical tests and has been providing the most advanced treatment regime for patients suffering from Breast Cancer. He has taken part in many practice changing global clinical trials by collaborating with investigators from around the world.

How?

Specialities sporting ability Medical Oncology – particularly breast cancers and International clinical trials.
Individualized care – the treatment options are designed specifically for your wants and needs.
Cutting edge treatments – the latest drugs and trials.
Teamwork with surgeons, radiologists, and counselors to provide comprehensive care.
Palliative care (also referred to as symptom control) – which involves such support as help with pain and with nutritional and psychological issues.
Open honest communication, kindness, and trust throughout your journey.

Services Provided by Dr. Sandip Ganguly:

Personalized Breast Cancer Treatment Plans
Accurate Diagnosis and Staging
Advanced Therapy (Aim Therapy, Immunotherapy) Access
Comprehensive Palliative Care
Second Opinions for Complex Cases
Guidance on Breast Cancer Screening

Unsure About the Right Treatment?

Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Sandip Ganguly today for expert Breast Cancer Treatment in Kolkata

Book Appointment

Dr. Sandip Ganguly

Seasoned Medical Oncologist with 15+ years of cancer care experience.

+91 99039 74739

Let’s Stay In Touch

Shopping cart