Pathogenesis, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women worldwide. Prediction models stratify a woman’s risk for developing cancer and can guide screening recommendations based on the presence of known and quantifiable hormonal, environmental, personal, or genetic risk factors. Mammography remains the mainstay breast cancer screening and detection but magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound have become useful diagnostic adjuncts in select patient populations. The management of breast cancer has seen much refinement with increased specialization and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams that include surgeons, oncologists, radiation oncologists, nurses, geneticist, reconstructive surgeons and patients. Evidence supports a less invasive surgical approach to the staging and management of the axilla in select patients. In the era of patient/tumor specific management, the advent of molecular and genomic profiling is a paradigm shift in the treatment of a biologically heterogenous disease.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Risk factors; Screening; Staging; Surgical management; Adjuvant therapy

Core tip: This is a review of past and current literature/landmark trials in the etio-pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of breast cancer. We have attempted to cover this vast topic in review form and hope that it will serve as a reference for clinicians who treat patients with breast cancer.