Dutch researchers have shown that an antibody-based test called CellSearch, which is used to detect circulating breast cancer cells in patients before and during treatment, may not detect all subtypes of breast cancer.
A research team led by Dr. Anieta Sieuwerts, of the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, has identified five subtypes of breast cancer by their gene expression patterns-namely basal, HER2-positive, luminal A and B, and normal-like.
Breast Cancer - Causes, Risks, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Staging, Treatment, Prevention & Prognosis
Breast cancer is a cancer that affects the breasts or mammary glands. Early detection and lifestyle changes help in controlling breast cancer.
Breast cancer is a cancer that affects the breasts or mammary glands. Early detection and lifestyle changes help in controlling breast cancer.
Studies conducted in the past suggested that women who had a decrease in circulating tumour cells after the start of treatment were likely to have a better outcome than those who did not have a decline.
However, according to the researchers, it was not known whether the CellSearch assay detected all five subtypes of cancer equally.
Breast Self Examination
Slides and animation of Breast Self Examination for early detection of breast cancer lumps in women
Slides and animation of Breast Self Examination for early detection of breast cancer lumps in women
The researchers found that the assay did not detect the nine normal-like breast cancer cells but did detect the other subtypes.
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Quiz on Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women. It is often said that a woman who breast-feeds is at a lower risk of developing cancer compared to another who does not .Are these mere old wives tales or is there some truth in it? This quiz on breast cancer has all the details.
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women. It is often said that a woman who breast-feeds is at a lower risk of developing cancer compared to another who does not .Are these mere old wives tales or is there some truth in it? This quiz on breast cancer has all the details.
The study has been reported in the Journal of National Cancer Institute.
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Breast Biopsy - Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology - Core Needle Biopsy - Vacuum-Assisted Biopsy - Excision Biopsy - FAQs
Breast biopsy involves removing a sample of breast tissue to determine whether it is cancerous or benign.
Breast biopsy involves removing a sample of breast tissue to determine whether it is cancerous or benign.
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