The Basics................................................ 4
Symptoms................................................. 6
Diagnosis / Initial Stages.................... 8
Breast Exam......................................................... 8
Mammograms.................................................... 10
Ultrasound.......................................................... 13
MRI..................................................................... 14
Diagnosis / Middle Stages................. 15
Fine needle aspirate biopsy.............................. 15
Core needle biopsy........................................... 16
Surgical biopsy.................................................. 16
Sentinel node biopsy......................................... 16
Diagnosis / Later Stages.................. 17
Now what?.......................................................... 17
Summary of the overall process....................... 17
Risk Factors......................................... 20
Biology of Breast Cancer............... 26
Surgical Treatment........................... 30
Other Treatments.............................. 33
Radiation Therapy.............................................. 33
Chemotherapy................................................... 34
Hormone Therapy.............................................. 36
Biological Therapy............................................. 37
Alternative Treatments...................................... 38
The Treatment Decision..................... 39
Other Issues.......................................... 41
Prognosis........................................................... 41
Prevention.......................................................... 41
Support............................................................... 42
The Future of Therapy..................... 43
Glossary................................................ 45
