Breast Cancer treatment

 

Breast cancer treatment 

Breast cancer treatment typically depends on several factors, including the stage of the cancer, the type of breast cancer, the patient's overall health, and their personal preferences. Treatments can be broadly categorized into local and systemic therapies.

Local Treatments:

Surgery: Surgery is often the first step in treating breast cancer. It involves removing the tumor and sometimes nearby lymph nodes. Types of surgery include lumpectomy (removal of the tumor and some surrounding tissue) and mastectomy (removal of the whole breast).

Radiation Therapy: This treatment uses high-energy rays to target and kill cancer cells. It's often used after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells in the breast or lymph nodes.

Systemic Treatments:

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. It's often used when cancer has spread beyond the breast or if there's a high risk of recurrence.

Hormone Therapy: Hormone receptor-positive breast cancers can be treated with hormone therapy. This therapy either blocks hormones or lowers their levels to slow the growth of cancer cells.

Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapies are designed to target specific molecules involved in cancer growth. For example, HER2-positive breast cancers can be treated with targeted therapies like trastuzumab.

Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy stimulates the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. While not as commonly used in breast cancer as in some other cancers, it's being studied in clinical trials.

Other Therapies:

Adjuvant Therapy: Adjuvant therapies are treatments given after surgery to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. They can include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy.

Neoadjuvant Therapy: Neoadjuvant therapy is given before surgery to shrink the tumor and make it easier to remove. This can be chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy.

It's important to note that treatment plans are highly individualized. A multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, and pathologists, work together to determine the most suitable treatment approach for each patient. Patients are encouraged to discuss their treatment options, potential side effects, and concerns with their healthcare team to make informed decisions about their care book appointment.