Expert Diagnosis of Hormone Receptor-Negative Breast Cancer in Central California
The growth of certain breast cancers is fueled by the hormones estrogen or progesterone. Hormone receptor-negative breast cancer doesn’t grow in response to these hormones. That means hormone therapy is not an effective treatment. Hormone receptor-negative breast cancer is also a type of triple-negative breast cancer, a breast cancer that doesn’t have receptors for female hormones or the HER2 growth factor.
Identifying the receptor status of your breast cancer is a critical part of your diagnosis and treatment. As part of our comprehensive diagnostic services, your oncology specialist at Dignity Health Central California will learn your cancer’s receptor status before suggesting a treatment option.
Find a Doctor near you who can identify hormone receptor-negative breast cancer in Central California.
Symptoms of Hormone Receptor-Negative Breast Cancer
This type of cancer doesn’t have distinctive symptoms. As with most types of breast cancer, the symptoms include:
- Skin changes of the breast or nipple, such as dimpling
- Breast swelling
- Nipple discharge that isn’t breast milk
Learn more about the symptoms of breast cancer and diagnostic cancer services at Dignity Health Central California.
Diagnosing Triple-Negative Breast Cancer at Dignity Health Central California
A biopsy allows your doctor to understand the tumor’s unique characteristics. Biopsy results reveal things such as the tumor’s subtype, stage, and whether hormones are influencing its growth.
During a breast biopsy, a portion of the tumor is removed for closer examination. A biopsy is usually a painless procedure. Your doctor will give you pain-blocking medications to make your experience more comfortable.
Treating Hormone Receptor-Negative Breast Cancer
Since hormone influenced breast cancer doesn’t respond to hormone therapy, your cancer specialist will help you choose another treatment option. At Dignity Health Central California, we offer a wide range of treatment choices when hormone therapy isn’t an option.
The usual approach is to remove the tumor with surgery, either through a mastectomy or lumpectomy. It’s common to receive radiation therapy along with breast-removing surgery for a better chance at curing all of the cancer.
Keep in mind, the stage of your breast cancer will mostly guide your treatment options. Talk to your doctor to better understand the risks and benefits of each option.
Dignity Health Central California diagnose hormone receptor-negative breast cancer in Bakersfield, Merced, San Andreas, and Stockton, CA.