We know how scary and anxious you can feel if you find a lump in your breast. The word “cancer” can make us feel very nervous. But the most important thing you need to know is that not all breast cancers are the same. There are some types of cancer that are less aggressive than others and respond much better to treatment. Today we are talking about a very rare type of breast cancer , but one that has a high cure rate.
What is Mucinous Breast Cancer?
Simply put, mucinous carcinoma is a very rare type of breast cancer. It accounts for less than 2% of all breast cancers. It is also a type of cancer that starts in the milk ducts of the breast and spreads to the surrounding tissue. To be precise, it falls into the category of `(Invasive Ductal Cancer)`.
But the special thing about this is that there is a substance called 'mucin' around these cancer cells . Think of it as a thick, sticky substance like mucus in our nose and intestines. This is what this mucin is. In this cancer, the cancer cells are floating inside this jelly-like substance called mucin. This is sometimes called colloid carcinoma.
Because of this mucus-like coating called mucin, cancer cells are less able to move around quickly, meaning they are less able to invade surrounding tissue, than other types of cancer. This is the main reason why this cancer is less aggressive and responds well to treatment.
Sometimes the tumor contains only these mucinous cancer cells. We call it 'pure mucinous carcinoma'. Sometimes these mucinous cells can be seen mixed with other types of breast cancer. However, the 'pure' type has a very high cure rate.
Who is at higher risk of developing this cancer?
This type of cancer mainly affects women. It is extremely rare for a man to develop it.
Although this condition can occur at any age, it is most commonly seen after menopause , that is, among women between the ages of 60 and 70.
What are the symptoms of mucinous carcinoma?
Like most breast cancers, this one may not show any symptoms in the early stages. But over time, the main symptom you may notice is a lump in the breast .
You may feel this lump during a manual breast self-exam. Or it may be found during an examination by a doctor. Usually, this lump can be about 3 centimeters in size. However, some people may have smaller or larger lumps.
How does the doctor diagnose this? (Diagnosis)
When you go to see a doctor with a lump in your breast, he or she will run several tests to determine if it is mucinous carcinoma or another type.
| Test | Simply put, what does it entail? |
|---|---|
| Physical Examination | The doctor will examine both of your breasts manually to check the nature of the lump, its size, and whether it moves or not. |
| Mammogram | This is an X-ray of the breast. A mucinous carcinoma usually has a well-defined edge and is visible as a lump that protrudes from the surrounding tissue. It rarely shows calcium deposits (calcifications). |
| Ultrasound Scan | This test helps to obtain clearer images of the lump, whether it is solid or fluid-filled, and its nature. |
| MRI Scan | In some cases, an MRI scan may be recommended to get a clearer picture of the spread of the cancer and other areas of the breast. |
| Biopsy | This is the definitive way to diagnose the disease. A small needle or incision is used to remove a piece of tissue from the lump and examine it under a microscope. This test checks for the presence of a substance called mucin in the lump. |
What are the treatments for this?
Your doctor will determine the treatment plan for mucinous carcinoma. This depends on the size of the cancer, the type of tumor, its hormone receptor status, and whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.
The main treatment methods can be classified as follows:
| Treatment | Description |
|---|---|
| Lumpectomy | This involves removing only the cancerous lump and a small amount of healthy tissue around it. The entire breast is not removed. |
| Mastectomy | This involves removing the entire breast. This surgery is recommended if the lump is large or if there are multiple areas in the breast. |
| Chemotherapy | Giving the body drugs that kill cancer cells. If the mucinous cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes or is sensitive to hormones, chemotherapy may not be necessary. This will be determined by your doctor. |
| Radiation Therapy | After lumpectomy surgery, high-energy radiation is used to destroy any remaining cancer cells. |
| Hormonal Therapy | Most mucinous cancers are sensitive to the hormones estrogen or progesterone. This treatment involves giving drugs (such as tamoxifen) that block the action of these hormones. This is a very effective treatment. |
Most importantly, mucinous carcinoma has a very good prognosis. Compared to other aggressive breast cancers, the survival rate of patients diagnosed with this type is significantly higher. Therefore, with the right treatment plan, the chances of a complete recovery are much higher.
Take-Home Message
- Mucinous Breast Cancer is a very rare and less aggressive type of breast cancer.
- Because cancer cells are surrounded by a mucus-like substance (mucin), the rate of cancer spread is slow. This makes the cure rate very high.
- The main symptom is a lump in the breast. If you feel something like that, don't panic and see a doctor right away.
- The diagnosis is confirmed by a biopsy.
- Surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy are all very effective treatments. Your doctor will determine the treatment plan that is best for you.
- It is very important to perform monthly breast self-examinations and have age-appropriate mammograms.
Breast cancer, Mucinous Breast Cancer, Colloid Carcinoma, Breast lumps, Women's health, Cancer treatment, breast cancer sinhala
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