Stage 0 Breast Cancer:  What You Need to Know

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among Indian women and is likely to strike 1 in every 28 Indian women at some point in her life. Breast cancer in women has now exceeded lung cancer as the most prevalent cancer worldwide. In 2020, over 2,250,000 new cases were reported in women globally.

Breast cancer is described as a number on a scale of 0 through 4. Dr. Garvit Chitkara, a renowned breast specialist in Mumbai, explains that the characteristics of breast cancer, such as its size and whether it possesses hormone receptors, determine the tumor’s stage.

In this article, we shall learn about breast cancer stage 0, its diagnosis, and its treatment.

Stage 0 Breast cancer

Stage 0 breast cancer describes non-invasive tumors in the lining of your breasts’ milk ducts that remain in their original place. And stage IV breast cancer represents invasive tumors that have progressed beyond the breast to other areas of your body.

In stage 0 breast cancer, there is no indication of either cancer cells or benign (non-cancerous)abnormal cells breaking or progressing out of the breast area where they originated( the ducts) or penetrating through to or invading the nearby normal tissue.

Other symptoms are uncommon with stage 0 breast cancer. A clinician may accidentally uncover stage 0 breast cancer after a biopsy or while performing an imaging scan on another lump. Some people may be diagnosed after experiencing a lump or undergoing a standard screening.

Dr. Garvit Chitkara, an acclaimed breast cancer surgeon in Mumbai, says that despite the fact that breast cancer at stage 0 has not spread, medication may be required to avoid future metastasis. The term metastasis refers to the spread of cancer to other organs. 

What are the other stages of breast cancer?

Breast cancer, after stage 0, is divided into four stages, from 1 to 4, according to the number staging method. The earliest stage is stage 1, while stage 4 indicates that the cancer has progressed to another portion of your body.

• Stage 1 breast cancer refers to tumors that are tiny and located only in your breast tissue or in the lymph nodes near the breast.
• Stage 2 breast cancer refers to cancer that has spread to the breast, surrounding lymph nodes, or both. It is breast cancer in its early stages.
• Stage 3 indicates that cancer has migrated from your breast to the lymph nodes near the breast, the breast skin, or the chest wall.
• Stage 4, the cancer has progressed to other areas of your body.

Breast cancer can strike a woman at any age after puberty; it is more prevalent in women over 50. It is advisable that you visit a highly-skilled breast specialist like Dr. Garvit Chitkara once every 2 years to ensure that you are cancer-free and get it treated at the earliest indication of the disease.

How is breast cancer diagnosed at stage 0?

Stage 0 breast cancer can usually be discovered during a mammography screening. Your doctor may recommend diagnostic mammography or some other imaging test, like an ultrasound, if he finds anything suspicious during the mammogram.

You will require a biopsy if there is any doubt regarding the suspicious spot. Cancer can only be diagnosed by a biopsy. The doctor will remove a tissue sample using a needle and send it to a pathologist for examination. After the pathologist examines the tissue under a microscope, your doctor will receive a report.

If atypical cells are present, the pathology report will state whether they are aggressive or not.

If you see a lump or any changes in your breasts, please consult with Dr. GarvitChitkara, among the preferred surgeons for breast cancer surgery in Mumbai. Talk about your family’s cancer history and determine how frequently you should get screened.

What is the treatment for stage 0 breast cancer?

According to a 2017 study review, mastectomy, or the removal of the breast, was formerly the conventional therapy for stage 0 breast cancers. However, it is not necessarily essential nowadays.

Any treatment must take into account the person’s medical history, treatment needs and goals, and any other breast cancer risk factors, including having a parent or grandparent with the disease.

The treatments for breast cancer include:

• Mastectomy: A surgeon can perform a mastectomy to remove your breast, or perform a lumpectomy to remove the affected portion of the breast.
• Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy is used to treat the breast and, in some cases, the lymph nodes. Radiation is targeted at the cancer cells to kill them.
• Hormonal therapy: Hormonal therapy is recommended by doctors for women who have breast cancer that is hormone receptor-positive. A person uses hormone medicines to treat cancer and prevent it from coming back. The eminent breast oncoplastic surgeon, Dr. Garvit Chitkara, recommends more frequent screening for women who have had stage 0 breast cancer.

Conclusion

Although stage 0 breast cancer is regarded as non-invasive, but it should not be overlooked. You must make some tough decisions if you find out that you have stage 0 breast cancer. It is critical to have a thorough discussion about your diagnosis with your doctor.

If you do not fully comprehend the diagnosis or treatment options, ask for clarification. There is a lot to consider. Speak with your doctor if you are anxious, stressed, or having difficulty dealing with your diagnosis and treatment. They can recommend you to local support services.

If you suspect a lump in your breast, please consult with Dr. Garvit Chitkara, a top-notch breast cancer surgeon in Mumbai, to establish the best course of action. He will assist you in the diagnosis and most suitable treatment of your condition.