Abstract

A REVIEW ARTICLE ON BREAST CANCER

Vasantha Thota*, Tejaswini Nandigam, Kalyani Ampolu

ABSTRACT

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women.[1] Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women.[2] It is classified into few major molecular subtypes according to hormone and growth factor receptor expression.[1] Several etiological factors have been implicated in its pathogenesis and include age, genetic, family history, diet, alcohol, obesity, lifestyle, physical inactivity as well as endocrine factors. These factors act separately or together in the causation of breast cancer.[3] Early-stage cancer detection could reduce breast cancer death rates significantly in the long term. The most critical prognosis is to identify early stage cancer cells. Investigators have studied many breast diagnostic approaches, including, mammography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, computerized tomography, positron emission tomography and biopsy.[4] This article addresses the types, causes, clinical symptoms and various approaches both non-drug (such as surgery and radiation) and drug treatment (including chemotherapy, gene therapy etc.) of breast cancer.[5]

Keywords: Breast cancer, mammography, surgery, chemotherapy.