What is Breast Cancer?
The body consists of many types of cells. Normally, cells divide and multiply when the body repair the injured tissue and replace the damaged tissue. This systematic process helps keep the body healthy. Sometimes cells keep dividing when new cells are not needed, and these extra cells form a mass of tissue or a group of abnormal cells, called tumor. Tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors are not cancer. They usually can be removed, and in most cases they do not come back. Benign tumor cells do not spread to other parts of the body. Most important, benign breast tumors are not life threatening.
Location of Breast Cancer Spread (metastasis)
Cancer is a malignant cancer cells are not normal. These cells divide uncontrollably, and they can be separated from primary malignant cancer cells (primary) and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system, damaging the surrounding tissue and organs. When cancer occurs in breast tissue and spreads outside the breast, breast cancer cells are often found in lymph nodes axillary (armpit). If the cancer has reached that point, it means that cancer cells may have spread to other parts such as bone, liver, or lungs. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.
