A comprehensive review of breast cancer: epidemiology, symptoms, risk factors, histopathology, and treatment approaches

Abstract

Mutations in genes controlling cell cycle, DNA replication, apoptosis, etc., are found associated with cancer development. Including this, exposure to carcinogens also enhances the risk of developing cancers. There are many risk factors linked with breast cancer such as age, female gender, lifestyle, hormone therapy, family or personal history, etc. Breast cancers are one of the most common cancers found in females around the world. But these are not exclusively observed in females. Some breast cancer cases are also observed in men. Breast cancers are also categorized into invasive ductal carcinoma and invasive lobular carcinoma. It is also found that some breast cancer cases are also associated with hereditary susceptibility. Some important mutations associated with breast cancers are mutations in BRCA 1, BRCA 2, and TP53, etc. This article provides a comprehensive overview of breast cancer, covering risk factors, symptoms, and histopathological studies. Understanding the multifaceted aspects of breast cancer is crucial for early detection, diagnosis, and effective treatment. This article addresses the overview of breast cancer epidemiology, risk factors, and classification with an emphasis on molecular types, prognostic biomarkers, as well as possible treatment modalities.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Epidemiology; Risk factors; Symptoms; Histopathology; Diagnosis; Treatment