Therapeutic approaches for the treatment of breast cancer

Therapeutic approaches for the treatment of breast cancer

Oral presentation

Ivanka Atanasova1, Yoana Nikolaeva2, Tsanko Tsochev2
1Lozenec University Hospital, Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski
2Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski

This scientific report aims to describe the complexity of treating breast cancer at different cancer stages. The report is primarily done by a lot of scientific literature research thus it is submitted in the form of literature review. The content was selected on evidence-based medicine and recent discoveries, aiming to sift the endless information. The idea about this report came to light due to the fact that October is “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” which was initiated by the American Cancer Society in October 1985. The report is divided into two parts: pathological and therapeutical. Breast cancer is a malignant disease that occurs either in breast lobules or their ducts. The scientific report begins with the process of carcinogenesis and its stages. It is highlighted that the complexity of the treatment depends on the stage of carcinogenesis. Generally, they are divided into early stages (stage 1 and 2), and later stages (stage 3 and 4). There is also stage 0 which is precancerous condition in-situ, while the others are invasive and categorized by the TNM classification (cancer size, spread in lymph nodes, metastasis). The treatment options vary according to the stage and distinct types of breast cancer factors - receptors (estrogen, progesterone), cancer cells grade, etc. The most common are: chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery (lumpectomy, mastectomy). Special attention is given to the triple-negative breast cancer and its distinctions in therapy.
Keywords: Breast Cancer Awareness Month