Causes of Breast Cancer Growth Breast cancer growth is a complex process that is not fully understood. However, there are three known ways in which cancer can spread:
Damaged cells can multiply and create more damaged cells, leading to tumor growth.
Certain hormones and chemicals in the body can stimulate the growth of some tumors.
Cancer cells can travel through lymph and blood vessels to other parts of the body, and examination of the lymph nodes can help determine the extent of the disease.
Damaged Cells Healthy cells serve as the fundamental building blocks of all the tissues and organs in the body. However, when a cell’s DNA, which serves as its wiring, becomes damaged, it can mutate and multiply rapidly without following its original plan.
This aggressive cell growth can lead to a tumor or a tissue mass that does not function as intended. These abnormal cells or cell groups can progress into breast cancer and even spread to other body parts.
Accelerated Growth Breast cancer growth is complex because it is often driven by hormones and chemicals usually present in the body, such as estrogen, progesterone, and the HER2/neu gene. While these chemicals play essential roles in healthy bodily functions, they can also accelerate the growth of breast cancer tumors when a cell becomes cancerous. These factors are referred to as prognostic factors of breast cancer cells.
The HER2 gene produces proteins that regulate breast cell growth, division, and repair. In approximately 25% of breast cancer cases, the HER2 gene becomes overactive and produces excessive copies of itself, known as HER2 gene amplification. This leads to too many HER2 receptors, a condition known as HER2 protein overexpression. As a result, breast cells divide and grow uncontrollably, leading to the development of tumors.
Cancer Receptors Receptors can be considered the gateway through which cancer cells receive signals to grow and divide. Cancer cells can continue to multiply and spread when these receptors are activated. However, by blocking these receptors, the cancer cells can be deprived of the signals they need to grow and can eventually die off.
By identifying the specific receptors in a patient’s cancer cells, doctors can recommend treatment options targeting those receptors and blocking their signals. This approach is known as targeted therapy and can be more effective and less harmful to healthy cells than traditional chemotherapy. It’s important to catch and treat breast cancer early before it spreads and becomes more complex.
The Lymph System One of the integral parts of the human immune system is the lymphatic system. It is a complex network of vessels and nodes that run throughout the body, transporting fluids and disease-fighting cells.
Like the circulatory system, the lymphatic system filters and carries abnormal cells away from healthy tissue. Breast cancer cells usually originate in the lobes, lobules, or ducts of the breast, and their origin determines their type.
The cancer cells in closer lymph nodes can indicate the extent to which cancer has spread, and further examination of other nodes can provide additional information. In some cases, breast cancer cells can also spread through the bloodstream, and the presence of blood or lymphatic vessel invasion can increase the risk of cancer spreading to other body parts.
Pathologists closely examine breast cancer cells to determine the likelihood of their ability to metastasize.
