For the treatment of breast cancer using special drugs that suppress tumor growth. Today made a few groups of drugs that can cause such an effect. But they are not suitable for all women. The cure for breast cancer is selected individually and is a complex task that depends on the type of tumor and its spread, the patient and so on.

Types of medical treatment

To apply medication drugs acting directly on tumor cells, inhibit their proliferation, which leads to tumor cell death. This type of treatment is called chemotherapy Chemotherapy - it always falls the hair? .

If the tumor has a female sex hormone receptors, the tumor is considered hormone-therapy and chemotherapy in this case, it is ineffective. Much more effective drugs that inhibit the action of hormones - hormone therapy.

A relatively new method of breast cancer treatment is immunotherapy. Drugs in this group have the ability of antibodies Antibodies - "soldiers' immunity Action aimed at the destruction of proteins and enzymes, which are produced by the tumor.

Drugs for chemotherapy for breast cancer

For use of chemotherapy several groups of drugs. They are administered in various combinations, which are chosen strictly individually.

• It alkylating agent. Drugs in this group, disrupt DNA synthesis in tumor cells, which leads to disruption of their life, the suspension of division and destruction. Representatives of this group of drugs used cyclophosphamide (cyclophosphamide), hlorbutin (lorambutsil) embihin (chlormethine).
• Antimetabolites. These drugs are incorporated into the DNA of cells in lieu of the desired substance to its development and stops cell division and tumor growth. For drugs in this group is methotrexate. To modern drugs in this group are 5-fluorouracil and Gemzar (gemcitabine).
• Antitumor antibiotics. Antineoplastic antibiotics is to inhibit DNA of dividing cells, which leads to their death. The most famous antibiotic Antibiotics - whether they will help you in the foreseeable future?   the group - doxorubicin (Adriamycin).
• Taxanes. This cytotoxic agents (substances that suppress the livelihoods and cell division), vegetable and synthetic origin. These include paclitaxel (taxol), which is obtained from the bark of the yew tree and semisynthetic drug docetaxel (Taxotere).

Medicinal products for hormone replacement therapy, breast cancer

Today produced several kinds of drugs, the overlapping access female hormone estrogen to the tumor and, hence, suppressing tumor growth stimulation hormone. First of all, aromatase inhibitors - they reduce the synthesis estroenov and their content in the blood of women. This group of drugs include Arimidex (anastorozol), Aromasin (exemestane), and Femara (letrozole).

The next group of drugs is called selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). These drugs block access estrogen to the estrogen receptors situated in the tumor, thereby depriving the tumor cell stimulating effect of estrogen. For drugs of this group include tamoxifen, which competitively binds to the estrogen receptor by displacing estrogen.

There are a group of drugs that deplete estrogen receptors, such as faslodex.

Finally, there are drugs that can completely suppress the secretion of ovarian estrogen, such as Zoladex (goserelin) - a synthetic analogue of the natural hormone from the hypothalamus (gonadotropin releasing hormone - GnRH). With constant use of Zoladex results in a complete shutdown of the ovaries, which, however, can be recovered after discontinuation of the drug.

Medications for immunotherapy of breast cancer

For immunotherapy drugs available today, contain monoclonal antibodies that target destruction of proteins and enzymes cell cancer. These drugs include gerseptin (trastuzumab) - recombinant monoclonal antibodies that selectively bind to the receptor protein to HER-2-neu. This stands out mainly by tumor cells and is a poor prognostic sign, often appearing metastases Metastasis - danger everywhere   cancer and refractory to treatment forms a tumor. It is found that not only has herceptin independent activity but overcomes immunity tumor to chemotherapy, increasing its effectiveness.

The choice of drugs for the treatment of breast cancer held by a physician individually for each patient.

Galina Romanenko

Female breast - is not only a source of pride, but also often brings anxiety and worry causes. Who are the women at least once in my life experienced discomfort in the breast and sometimes the pain? One of the problems of the female breast is the sudden appearance of secretions. Discharge from the breast are often a sign of an illness, and requires immediate treatment to the doctor. But it should be noted that not all selections show the pathology of mammary glands and, especially cancer. And yet, in order to avoid any problems with the breast, the woman should be regularly once a year, checkups, and after forty years, breast ultrasound and mammography.

Outward appearance

Discharge from the breast is a spontaneous flow of fluid from the nipple. Color selections may be: clear, cloudy, molozivopodobny, white, gray, yellow, green, brown or bloody. As a rule, normal, or physiological secretions called discharge from the nipple during pregnancy or breastfeeding. This is due to the enhanced production of the hormone prolactin, which prepares the future mother in lactation, and in women who gave birth to stimulate it. Often there are selection when stimulation of the breast, such as during sexual intercourse. They look like colorless liquid that has no odor. If the discharge has an unusual color (for example, brownish or blood-tinged), it requires immediate treatment to the doctor mammologu.

The most common causes

Typically, discharge from the nipples are a symptom of a pathological process in the chest:

• Ectasia the milk ducts

Ectasia the milk ducts is none other than the expansion of the lumen of the flow, which in turn can become inflamed, and the nature of the discharge changes drastically (they become more dense and rich in color). Most often, this pathology is observed in women thirty-eight and fifty-two years. In treating ectasia the milk flows apply warm compresses and / or ibuprofen. With the development of inflammation are appointed by antibiotics. In the absence of effect of conservative treatment often resort to surgical intervention.

• Intraductal papilloma

Intraductal papilloma is a benign tumor, in fact - is the formation of small outgrowths (papillomas) in the lumen of the milk ducts. Observed the disease in women from thirty-five to fifty years. Causes of intraductal papilloma is still not set, but it is believed that the disease leads to the emergence of a variety of hormonal disorders Hormonal disorders - oversupply and a lack of equally dangerous   (obesity, thyroid disease, diabetes Diabetes - threatening and incurable disease   And so on). Discharge from the nipple has a thick consistency and a bloody color. Treatment of disease with surgery alone (removal of the affected duct).

• Galactorrhea

Galactorrhea - is a constant and does not stop fluid discharge from the nipples, like milk. Allocation in this disease is usually white or transparent, but may be yellowish or brown. The main cause of galactorrhea is excess secretion of prolactin, which is the result of hormonal balance (taking oral hormonal contraceptives, thyroid disease Thyroid disease - women at risk , Pituitary tumors, chronic stress How to beat stress? Create an oasis , Kidney or liver failure, etc.). Galaktorei Treatment depends on the cause, caused it.

• The trauma of the mammary glands

Often, discharge from the nipple are the result of blunt chest trauma (accident, impact). Discharge may be simultaneously from both or from one teat. Color selections are different (transparent, yellow or bloody).

• Purulent mastitis

As a rule, purulent mastitis or breast abscesses suffered by women, breast-feeding while in the breast tissue accumulated pus. The primary cause of the disease are cracked nipples (entrance gate for infections). At the same time appear purulent discharge from the breast with an unpleasant odor, the affected breast increases in size and becomes red, painful palpation of it. In addition, there is a significant increase in body temperature. The main principle of treatment is followed by an autopsy abscess drainage.

Anna Sozinova