Question

A patient goes to the gynecologist's office after finding a lump in her breast. A mammogram is performed and a tumor is found. Prior to the mammogram, the nurse questions the patient about other family members that have been diagnosed with breast cancer. What is the rationale for this question and what is its significance? Descibe the term carcinoma in situ. Explain how grading and staging of tumors is determined. How does staging of tumors affect treatment options? What are the benefits of breast cancer screenings and early detection?

Answer 1

Certain inherited genes. About 5% to 10% of breast cancer cases are thought to be hereditary, meaning that they result directly from gene defects (called mutations) passed on from a parent. BRCA1 and BRCA2: The most common cause of hereditary breast cancer is an inherited mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene

An early stage cancer in which the cancerous growth or tumor is still confined to the site from which it started, and has not spread to surrounding tissue or other organs in the body. When cancer in situ involves cells that line the internal organs, or epithelial cells, it is called carcinoma in situ

Stages of cancer:

• Stage 0 or carcinoma in situ
  Carcinoma in situ is very early cancer. The abnormal cells are found only in the first layer of cells of the primary site and do not invade the deeper tissues.

• Stage I
  Cancer involves the primary site, but has not spread to nearby tissues.

• Stage II
  Cancer has spread to nearby areas but is still inside the primary site.

• Stage III
  Cancer has spread throughout the nearby area.

• Stage IV
  Cancer has spread to other parts of the body.that means metastasis has occured

Grading

Cancers are usually graded from low to high. Low-grade cancers look more like normal tissue under the microscope. High-grade tumors look very abnormal and are generally more aggressive with a poor outcome.

Doctors may recommend a local treatment, such as surgery or radiotherapy, if your cancer is just in one place. ... But you may need treatment that circulates throughout the whole body if your cancer has spread which is by chemotherapy

The goal of screening is to catch cancers early. Early-stage cancers are easier to treat than later-stage cancers, and the chance of survival is higher. Routine screening for breast cancer lowers one's risk of dying of breast cancer. Screening for breast cancer is done by mammography