ne, The National Cancer Institute PDQ- It is important to be treated in those hospitals that are especially excellent in treating breast cancer. Here are some.-Dana-Faber cancer center in Boston-Memorial-Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in NY-MD Anderson Cancer Center in HoustonWhen you make your decision of treatment, consider these factors:-Survival should be your primary concern, but can be balanced with other considerations.-Breast preservation, -Leading a normal life -Survival at all costs without consideration of other factors. You make your own decisions from the options presented from your doctor.Precise identification is required to determine risk and decide on best treatment. The following factors must be determined before treatment; The type of the tumor - its size, whether the skin around the tumor site is broken, red, or swollen, whether the nipple has retracted into the breast, and whether the tumor is attached to the pectoral muscle or chest wall.Spread to the lymph nodes - whether there is no cancer present or if it has spread to the nodes above the collarbone.The degree of spread (metastasis) to other parts of the body must be established. These factors determine the stage of the cancer. The stage of the cancer affects risk assessment and treatment choice.Chapter Four: Diagnosis.It is common for biopsy and surgical procedures to be performed in separate stages. In the following cases it is best to perform the biopsy and any attendant surgery in one stage:If mastectomy or other surgery is agreed upon in the event that a malignancy is found.If the cancer is discovered to be at a stage which does not permit breast reconstruction Chapter five: pathologyChapter six: After the DiagnosisThe doctors demeanor plays an important role in the patients overall emotional reaction. He must be sympathetic and compassionate.People react differently to cancer: some delay acceptance and some ...
