Unilateral Breast Cancer: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Unilateral breast cancer refers to the presence of cancer in one breast only, as opposed to bilateral breast cancer, which involves the presence of cancer in both breasts. When cancer is unilateral, it means that it is confined to one side of the body and has not spread to the other breast.

In the case of unilateral breast cancer, the affected breast may show signs and symptoms such as a lump or mass, changes in the skin texture or appearance, nipple discharge, or pain. The cancer may be localized within the breast tissue, or it may have spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs in the body.

Treatment for unilateral breast cancer typically involves a combination of approaches, including surgery to remove the cancerous tissue, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormone therapy, depending on the specific characteristics and stage of the cancer. The goal of treatment is to eliminate or control the cancer while preserving as much healthy breast tissue as possible.