Breast cancer - Targeted treatment of breast cancer

A lump in the breast

Breast cancer often causes no symptoms for a very long time. Most women feel perfectly healthy until they are diagnosed and had no symptoms beforehand. This makes annual check-ups with your gynaecologist and regular breast self-examination all the more important. A tumour is often only discovered when it is about one centimetre in diameter and can be felt when palpating the breast.

Possible symptoms of breast cancer are

• Lumps, swelling or hardened areas in the breast
• Skin changes such as redness or dents in the breast
• leakage of fluid from the nipple
• swollen lymph nodes in the armpit
• Weight loss for no apparent reason
  

Breast cancer develops in various parts of the mammary gland: so-called ductal carcinomas (NST) are located in the milk ducts. They account for more than half of all breast cancers. Lobular carcinomas form in the glandular lobules of the breast and are much rarer. A third of all patients suffer from a mixed form of both categories.

How do you recognise breast cancer?

A lump in the breast does not yet mean cancer - palpable hardenings are often benign, especially in women who have not yet reached the menopause. Nodules can also disappear on their own. Nevertheless, it is important to have any changes in the breast checked by a doctor.

To make a diagnosis, our specialists will have a comprehensive discussion with you and also enquire about any risk factors (diseases in the family). A comprehensive physical examination with inspection and palpation of the affected areas completes the initial examination.

As further steps, a mammogram (X-ray of the breast) and an ultrasound examination (sonography) can be ordered in our radiology department. For a definitive diagnosis, a tissue sample can be taken from the breast lump with a fine needle, which is then analysed for cancer cells. This analysis is carried out by two of our experienced pathologists and offers you maximum safety thanks to the dual control principle.

If you wish, we will be happy to involve your medical advisor in the diagnosis, treatment management and aftercare.

Breast cancer therapy - gentle but efficient

We offer you the full range of state-of-the-art and innovative tumour therapies. These include various breast-conserving operations whenever possible, gentle radiotherapy, drug treatments (chemotherapy, hormone therapy, antibody therapy and mixed forms of these) and plastic reconstruction.

Details of the various forms of treatment can be found on the website of the Breast Centre Basel Bethesda Hospital.

The most common female cancer

One in eight women in Central Europe will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. More than 35 per cent of women affected are over 70 years old at the time of diagnosis. Very rarely, men also develop breast cancer.

Although cases are increasing, fewer women are dying from breast cancer today than a few years ago - this is due to the ever-improving early detection and treatment options for breast cancer. Five years after their diagnosis, over 90 per cent of women suffering from breast cancer are still alive today