Breast Cancer Research on Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging
At this time, mammograms are the most effective tool we have to detect changes in the breast that may be cancer. In women at high risk of
breast cancer, researchers are studying the combination of mammograms and ultrasound. Researchers are also exploring positron emission tomography (PET) and other ways to make detailed pictures of breast tissue.
In addition, researchers are studying tumor markers. Tumor markers may be found in blood, in urine, or in fluid from the breast (nipple aspirate). High amounts of these substances may be a sign of cancer. Some markers may be used to check breast cancer patients for signs of disease after treatment. At this time, however, no tumor marker test is reliable enough to be used routinely to detect breast cancer.
Scientists are also doing breast cancer research into ductal lavage. This technique collects cells from breast ducts. A liquid flows through a catheter (a very thin, flexible tube) into the opening of a milk duct on the nipple. The liquid and breast cells are withdrawn through the tube. A pathologist then checks the cells for cancer or for changes that may suggest an increased risk of cancer.
Breast Cancer Research on Treatment Methods
Scientists involved with breast cancer research are studying many types of treatment and their combinations, including:
- Surgery: Different types of surgery are being combined with other treatments.
- Radiation therapy: Doctors are studying whether radiation therapy can be used instead of surgery to treat cancer in lymph nodes. In these research studies, they are looking at the effectiveness of applying radiation therapy to a larger area around the breast. In women with early breast cancer, doctors are studying whether directing radiation therapy to a smaller part of the breast may be helpful.
- Chemotherapy: Researchers involved in chemotherapy breast cancer research are testing new anticancer drugs and doses. They are working with drugs and combinations of drugs. They are looking at new drug combinations before surgery. They are also studying new ways of combining chemotherapy with hormone therapy or radiation therapy.
- Hormone therapy: Researchers are testing several types of hormone therapy, including aromatase inhibitors.
- Biological therapy: New biological treatments also are under study. For example, researchers are studying cancer vaccines that may help the immune system kill cancer cells.
In addition, researchers are looking at ways to lessen the side effects from treatment, such as lymphedema after surgery. They are looking at ways to reduce pain and improve quality of life. One method under study is
sentinel lymph node biopsy. Today, surgeons have to remove many lymph nodes under the arm and check each of them for cancer. Breast cancer research scientists are studying whether checking only the node to which cancer is most likely to spread (known as the sentinel lymph node) will allow them to predict whether cancer has spread to other nodes. If this new procedure works as well as standard
breast cancer treatment, surgeons may be able to remove fewer lymph nodes, which could reduce lymphedema for many patients.
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