Pathology of Breast Cancer Breast cancer is a disease caused by unregulated cell growth in the tissues of the breast. Unlike normal cells, which have specific functions and grow at a controlled rate, cancer cells are mutated and grow rapidly. As growth continues over time the cancer cells will often form a mass of tissue that will develop into a lump or tumor. While it should be noted that not all unusual lumps or abnormalities are cancer, it is important to have every breast lump examined by a medical professional. Once a cancerous tumor or lump has been identified there are two potential classifications for the tissue: noninvasive and invasive cancers. Non-Invasive Breast Cancer Breast cancer that remains inside the breast tissue, the milk lobules, or duct. Does not extend into other normal tissues within or outside of the breast. These will sometimes be called pre-cancers. Invasive Breast Cancer Breast cancers that become invasive are not contained in breast tissue. Grow into the normal surrounding tissue and can spread to other distant parts of the body. This spread is called metastatic breast cancer. Cancer that is found in the breast, but spreads to the bones is an example of metastasizing Survival Rates of Breast Cancer The prognosis or future outlook of each breast cancer patient varies depending on the stage, grade, and course of treatment for each specific tumor.

Asthma is a condition in which the airways of the lungs – the trachea, bronchial tree, and bronchi; become inflamed and narrowed due to increased sensitivity to various stimuli. As a result, there is an overproduction of mucous and a decrease in the ability of air to flow through the narrowed passages of the lungs. This causes a subsequent reduction in the amount of oxygen entering the body. Wheezing and a feeling of shortness of breath are the most common asthma symptoms .  While the exact cause of asthma is unknown, it is believed to be the result of a genetic component as well as environmental factors. Asthma is closely associated with allergies, although you may have asthma without having an allergy. Asthma occurs in two forms  – acute and chronic. Acute asthma, commonly known as an ‘asthma attack’, is an episodic event that occurs due to an asthma trigger. Chronic asthma develops due to changes that occur from prolonged inflammation. Acute Form of Asthma When a patient comes into contact with an asthma trigger, a chain reaction of events occur that leads to an asthma attack. The exposure to the trigger will cause the muscles that surround the airways to “clamp down” or contract, thus narrowing the spaces for air to travel through.

Asthma takes place in two forms; acute and chronic. Acute asthma, known as an asthma attack is an episodic event that occurs due to an asthma trigger. Chronic asthma develops due to the changes that occur from prolonged inflammation over time. Acute Asthma When a patient comes into contact with an asthma trigger, a chain reaction of events occur that leads to an asthma “attack.” The exposure to the trigger will cause the muscles that surround the airways to “clamp down” or contract, thus narrowing the spaces for air to travel through. In addition, the trachea and bronchial passageways will become inflamed with an increase in mucous production. Patients will experience a rapid onset of symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness, and wheezing. Chronic Asthma It is believed that patients always have some degree of inflammation in the lungs that make them more sensitive triggers. Chronic inflammation over time can lead to changes in the structures of the lungs and increased mucous production. Proper control of asthma can limit these effects. Asthma triggers include physical exertion, infection, environmental factors (cold air, high altitude), irritants (smoking, perfume, cleaning agents, etc), emotional upset, allergies (pollen, mold, dust, food allergies, pet allergies, etc), cold air, heartburn, and even some medications such as NSAIDs.

The symptoms of asthma vary from person to person and are based on severity, but the most common symptoms of the disease are wheezing and shortness of breath. Asthma symptoms tend to worsen during or after exercise, after exposure to a trigger, at night or early morning, during strong emotional responses such as laughing or crying, and while experiencing seasonal changes. Symptoms of asthma Wheezing – the sound air makes when passing through narrowed airways, is heard when you exhale. The sound is somewhat akin to that of whistling. Tightness or pain in the chest. Shortness of breath. Cough Signs that asthma is worsening  Difficulty sleeping due to wheezing or cough. Difficulty speaking. Difficulty swallowing and drooling. Decreased or absent breath sounds.

The following are some testing and diagnostic procedures that are used by doctors and medical providers to identify asthma cases. Spirometry The Spirometry test is used to diagnose asthma and identify its severity.  In a spirometry test, you breathe forcefully into a tube and a device measures the amount of airflow passing through it.  This is known as forced expiratory volume (FEV). It also measures your total lung capacity i.e. the largest amount of air you are able to breath out. This is known as Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). People will asthma will have restricted airflow, which will be represented by a decreased FEV and FEV:FVC ratio. If a patient is given medication to help open the lungs (bronchodilator) and then repeats the spirometry test, these numbers will show an improvement in most cases. Peak Flow A peak flow meter can be used to monitor breathing capacity and to check the effectiveness of asthma treatments . This is a handheld device that you breathe into as hard as you can. As you blow an arrow will rise, indicating how much air you were able to breathe. The higher the number, the better. Most devices will also be color coded. Green indicates a good number with adequate asthma control, yellow indicates a need to seek medical help, and red indicates an emergency.