Breast Cancer Explained: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

From the Top Breast Cancer Hospital in Hyderabad

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers globally, affecting millions of women — and occasionally men — each year. While medical advancements have significantly improved outcomes, early detection, awareness, and timely treatment continue to be the cornerstones of breast cancer care.

What Is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is a disease in which abnormal breast cells grow uncontrollably, forming a mass known as a tumour. These tumours can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Malignant tumours have the potential to invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body — a process called metastasis.

Breast cancer typically begins in one of two places:

Lobules: The milk-producing glands.

Ducts: The channels that carry milk to the nipple.

Most breast cancers start in the ducts, which is why ductal carcinoma is the most common type.

Though breast cancer is far more common in women, men can also develop the disease, accounting for about 0.5–1% of all cases.

Why Does Breast Cancer Occur?

The exact cause of breast cancer is not always known. In many cases, it’s a combination of genetic, environmental, hormonal, and lifestyle factors. What’s particularly important to know is that over half of all breast cancer cases occur in women with no known risk factors except for age and gender.

Some well-established risk factors include:

• Gender: Women are at significantly higher risk than men.
• Age: Risk increases after age 40.
• Family History: A close relative with breast or ovarian cancer increases your risk.
• Genetics: BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2 gene mutations elevate risk.
• Reproductive history: Early menstruation or late menopause, no pregnancies, or late pregnancies.
• Lifestyle: Obesity, alcohol use, lack of physical activity, and hormone replacement therapy.
• Radiation exposure: Especially if it occurred before age 30.

It’s important to note that even without these risk factors, breast cancer can still develop. Regular screenings remain your best defence.

Where Does Breast Cancer Start and How Does It Spread?

Breast cancer usually begins in the ducts or lobules of the breast. In early stages, the cancer may remain confined to its point of origin — known as in situ. However, most cases (around 80%) are invasive, meaning the cancer has spread to surrounding tissues.

Spread (metastasis) can occur through:

• Blood vessels, carrying cancer cells to distant organs.
• Lymphatic system, leading to lymph node involvement and spread to other body parts such as bones, liver, lungs, or brain.

Common early spread areas include:

• Axillary lymph nodes (under the arm)
• Internal mammary lymph nodes (near the breastbone)
• Supraclavicular nodes (above the collarbone)

What are the Common Symptoms of Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer symptoms vary, and some people may experience no symptoms at all in the early stages. However, you should consult a doctor if you notice any of the following:

• New lump in the breast or underarm
• You have a family history of breast cancer.
• You’re over 40 and haven’t had a recent mammogram.
• Swelling or thickening in part of the breast
• Nipple discharge (other than breast milk), especially if bloody
• Redness or flaky skin on the breast or nipple
• Pulling in of the nipple
• Change in the size or shape of the breast
• Pain in any area of the breast
• You’re at high genetic risk and want to discuss preventive strategies.

Early detection dramatically improves outcomes, so do not wait for pain or discomfort.

What Are the Different Types of Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is not a single disease — it comes in many forms, each with unique characteristics, behaviors, and treatment approaches. Understanding the different types can help patients and caregivers make informed decisions about diagnosis and care.

Below are the most commonly diagnosed types of breast cancer:

1. Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)

DCIS is a non-invasive or pre-invasive breast cancer. It begins in the lining of the milk ducts but has not spread beyond the duct walls into the surrounding breast tissue. While DCIS itself is not life-threatening, it can increase the risk of developing invasive breast cancer later if left untreated.

· Stage: Considered Stage 0

· Symptoms: Usually none; often detected via mammogram

· Treatment: Surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy), possibly followed by radiation

2. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)

This is the most common form of breast cancer, accounting for about 80% of all invasive cases. IDC begins in the milk ducts but invades the surrounding breast tissue and can potentially spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymphatic systems.

· Symptoms: Lump, breast thickening, changes in skin or nipple

· Diagnosis: Mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy

· Treatment: Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone or targeted therapy based on receptor status

3. Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC)

ILC originates in the lobules, the milk-producing glands, and spreads into nearby tissue. It accounts for 10–15% of invasive breast cancers. ILC can be more challenging to detect on mammograms due to its growth pattern, which tends to be more subtle and diffuse.

· Symptoms: Thickening in the breast rather than a distinct lump

· Treatment: Similar to IDC, with surgical and systemic therapies depending on staging

4. Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)

TNBC is an aggressive form of breast cancer that does not express estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), or HER2 receptors. It tends to grow and spread faster than other types and is more common in younger women and those with BRCA mutations.

· Treatment Challenge: Hormone and HER2-targeted therapies don’t work

· Treatment Plan: Primarily chemotherapy, and in some cases, immunotherapy

· Prognosis: Can be more difficult to treat if diagnosed late, but early detection improves outcomes

5. Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)

IBC is a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer. Instead of forming a distinct lump, it blocks lymph vessels in the skin of the breast, causing swelling, redness, warmth, and skin changes that resemble infection.

· Symptoms: Rapid swelling, redness, pitted or thickened skin (peau d’orange), breast pain

· Diagnosis: Often confused with mastitis; requires imaging and biopsy

· Treatment: Usually begins with chemotherapy, followed by surgery and radiation

6. Paget’s Disease of the Breast

This is a rare cancer that affects the skin of the nipple and areola. It is often associated with underlying DCIS or invasive ductal carcinoma.

· Symptoms: Redness, flaking, irritation or discharge from the nipple

· Diagnosis: Clinical exam, imaging, and biopsy of nipple tissue

· Treatment: Surgery (nipple removal or mastectomy), sometimes followed by radiation

7. Metastatic Breast Cancer (Stage IV)

Also known as advanced or secondary breast cancer, this type refers to cancer that has spread beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes to distant organs such as the lungs, liver, brain, or bones.

· Symptoms: Depend on the organ affected — e.g., bone pain, breathing issues, neurological symptoms

· Treatment: Focuses on controlling spread and improving quality of life — typically with systemic therapies like hormone therapy, chemotherapy, targeted drugs, or immunotherapy

8. Rare Subtypes of Breast Cancer

• Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

· Rare, usually slow-growing, often ER/PR negative, but less aggressive

· Found under a microscope to resemble salivary gland tumours

• Apocrine Carcinoma

· Another rare IDC variant with cells that appear similar to apocrine sweat glands

· Typically HER2 negative; treatment is similar to other invasive cancers

• Medullary Carcinoma

· Tends to occur in younger women and may have a better prognosis

· Appears soft and fleshy; TNBC-like but distinct biologically

• Mucinous (Colloid) Carcinoma

· Produces mucin (a sticky substance); often slow-growing and responds well to treatment

· Usually hormone receptor-positive

• Tubular Carcinoma

· Rare and low-grade cancer; favourable prognosis

· Commonly detected during mammograms

• Cribriform Carcinoma

· Cells grow in a sieve-like pattern; low-grade and slow to spread

· Often found alongside other cancer types

• Phyllodes Tumours

· Begin in the connective tissue (stroma) of the breast

· Can be benign, borderline, or malignant; surgery is the main treatment

Why Classification Matters

The type and subtype of breast cancer play a critical role in:

· Determining prognosis

· Designing personalized treatment plans

· Predicting response to therapy (e.g., hormone therapy for ER+ cancers)

At Omega Hospitals, the best breast cancer hospital in Hyderabad, we use biomarker testing (ER, PR, HER2) and advanced diagnostic imaging to precisely classify the type of breast cancer. This ensures that each patient receives a targeted and effective treatment plan, backed by the latest medical protocols.

Breast Cancer Diagnosis at the Best Breast Clinic in Hyderabad

Diagnosing breast cancer accurately is the first and most important step toward effective treatment and recovery.

Here’s a detailed look at the key diagnostic tools and how they help identify breast cancer:

1. Clinical Breast Examination (CBE)

Performed by a trained healthcare provider, a clinical breast exam involves physically checking both breasts and the underarm areas for any lumps, thickening, or abnormalities. This is often the first step if a patient reports symptoms or during routine screening.

2. Mammography

A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray of the breast used for both screening and diagnosis. It can detect abnormal masses or microcalcifications even before a lump can be felt.

• Screening mammograms: For women with no symptoms, typically recommended annually after age 40
• Diagnostic mammograms: For women with symptoms or abnormal screening results
• 3D Mammography (Tomosynthesis): Available at Omega’s Breast Clinic, offers more detailed layered images for better detection in dense breast tissue.

3. Breast Ultrasound

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time images of the breast. It is commonly used as a follow-up to a mammogram or for evaluating lumps that are difficult to see on X-ray, especially in dense breast tissue.

• Helpful in distinguishing: Fluid-filled cysts (usually benign) vs. solid masses (which may be cancerous)
• Non-invasive and painless
• Ideal for younger women and pregnant women who cannot undergo X-ray imaging.

4. Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

An MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the breast. It’s particularly helpful in:

• High-risk women with a family history or genetic mutations
• Assessing tumour extent after a diagnosis
• Evaluating implant integrity or abnormalities in dense breast tissue

5. Biopsy

A biopsy is the definitive diagnostic test for breast cancer. It involves removing a sample of breast tissue or fluid for microscopic examination to determine if cancer cells are present and, if so, what type they are.

Types of biopsies include:

• Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA): Uses a thin needle to withdraw fluid or cells from a lump; often used to evaluate cysts.
• Core Needle Biopsy: Uses a larger, hollow needle to remove tissue samples from the suspicious area. Often done under ultrasound or stereotactic guidance.
• Vacuum-Assisted Biopsy: Allows removal of multiple tissue samples through a single small incision.
• Surgical Biopsy: Sometimes required if needle biopsy is inconclusive. The entire lump or part of it is removed for diagnosis.

What a biopsy reveals:

• Cancer type (ductal, lobular, etc.)
• Grade (how aggressive the cancer is)
• Receptor status (ER, PR, HER2)
• Genetic mutations (if tested)

6. Hormone Receptor and HER2 Testing

Following a confirmed biopsy, the tissue is tested for the presence of estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), and HER2 protein.

• ER/PR-positive cancers respond well to hormone-blocking treatments
• HER2-positive cancers benefit from targeted therapies like trastuzumab

These markers are critical for choosing the most effective treatment plan.

7. Genetic Testing (If Indicated)

For patients with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or those diagnosed at a young age, a genetic test may be recommended to check for BRCA1, BRCA2, or PALB2 mutations.

• Helps assess future risk
• May influence treatment decisions, such as the option for prophylactic mastectomy
• Can guide screening strategies for family members

8. Lymph Node Evaluation

To determine whether the cancer has spread, the lymph nodes (especially in the armpit area).

9. Additional Imaging for Staging

• PET-CT Scan: Combines metabolic and structural imaging to detect cancer throughout the body
• Bone Scan: Detects cancer spread to the bones
• CT Scan or Chest X-ray: Used to check the lungs and liver

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Breast cancer that is caught early (Stage 0 or 1) is far more treatable and often curable. Survival rates are significantly higher when cancer is diagnosed before it spreads beyond the breast.

At Omega Hospitals, our One-Stop Breast Clinic is equipped with the latest AI-powered mammography and precision diagnostic tools to facilitate rapid, reliable diagnosis.

How Breast Cancer Is Treated at One of the Top 10 Cancer Hospitals in Hyderabad?

Treatment depends on several factors, including type, stage, age, and overall health. A combination of local and systemic therapies is often used.

Surgical Options:

• Lumpectomy: Removal of the tumour and a small margin of tissue.
• Mastectomy: Removal of the entire breast.
• Reconstructive Surgery: Can be done immediately or later, restoring breast shape.

Radiation Therapy:

• Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy remaining cancer cells after surgery.

Chemotherapy:

• Drug treatment that destroys or slows cancer cell growth.
• Often used before or after surgery.

Hormone Therapy:

• For ER/PR-positive cancers.
• Blocks the body’s natural hormones from fueling cancer growth.

Targeted Therapy:

• Target therapy used for HER2-positive cancers.
• Targets specific proteins on cancer cells.

Immunotherapy:

• Boosts the immune system to fight cancer.
• Especially promising for triple-negative breast cancer.

Comprehensive Breast Cancer Care at Omega – A Leading One Stop Breast Hospital in Hyderabad

At Omega Hospitals, Hyderabad, we offer a One-Stop Breast Clinic designed to:

• Provide rapid diagnosis and staging
• Offer personalized treatment by expert breast oncologists
• Use cutting-edge technologies like AI-powered mammography, MR mammograms, and precision-guided surgery

Our multidisciplinary team includes medical oncologists, breast surgeons, radiation specialists, and reconstructive experts — all working together to ensure every patient receives compassionate, evidence-based care.

Breast cancer can be overwhelming, but with the right information and expert support, it is manageable and treatable. If you or a loved one have concerns about symptoms, risk, or diagnosis, don’t delay. Omega Hospitals is here to guide you with expertise, empathy, and world-class technology.

Trust the top breast cancer doctors in Hyderabad. Visit Omega’s Breast Clinic at Gachibowli or Banjara Hills and take the first step toward healing and hope.