There are several different kinds of breast cancer, including multifocal, multicentric, and unifocal.
The multiple tumors are usually in the same section, or quadrant, of the breast.
Diagnosis methods range from clinical breast exams and mammograms to ultrasounds and biopsies.
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Options include radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.
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What Is Multifocal Breast Cancer?
These tumors originate from the primary tumor and are usually located in the same region of the same breast.
They are likely in different areas of the breast.
Types of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer usually begins in the lobules or ducts in the breast.
This is because there are different definitions of and diagnostic criteria for multifocal breast cancer.
Staging Multifocal Breast Cancer
Once breast cancer is diagnosed, additional tests are performed to stage cancer.
Understanding the stage of cancer is an important factor when determining the appropriate treatment plan.
These include imaging studies, blood tests, and a biopsy.
For multifocal breast cancer, the medical team focuses on the size and growth of the primary tumor.
A common way tostage breast canceris to use the TNM system.
Stage 1: This is invasive breast cancer that typically has started to grow into surrounding breast tissues.
What else determines prognosis?
Knowing the stage of your cancer allows your medical team to develop the most effective treatment plan for you.
It also helps them to determine your prognosis and five-year survival rate.
This rate is used to describe the likelihood of your treatment plan being effective.
Recurrence refers to cancer coming back after being successfully treated.
One study found that 8.3% of patients with multifocal breast cancer who underwent a lumpectomy experienced disease recurrence.
Of the individuals who underwent a mastectomy, 7.7% experienced recurrence.
Support and Coping
Multifocal breast cancer is an overwhelming diagnosis and finding support resources is essential.
Talk with your oncologist about your concerns, and lean on friends and family who offer help.
Joining a cancersupport groupor online community may be helpful as well.
These tumors are usually located in the same region of the breast.
There are several treatment options including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
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