Biological agents are used to treat certain types of breast cancer. These agents can either kill cancer cells or prevent them from dividing. Chemotherapy drugs can be given orally or injected into a vein or muscle. Because the drugs reach cancer cells throughout the body, they are often used in combination with other treatments. To learn more about the types of drugs approved for breast cancer treatment, see Drugs Approved for Breast Cancer
Adjuvant therapy involves the use of drugs to prevent recurrence after cancer treatments. These drugs are given before surgery to shrink the tumor and afterwards for five to 10 years to prevent recurrence. Although endocrine therapy can help prevent recurrence, it does not eliminate it. Patients with hormone receptor-positive or HER2-positive breast cancer may receive different targeted therapies. These drugs are effective for treating the early stages of breast cancer but are not effective against metastatic forms.
Brachytherapy is another type of treatment for breast cancer. In this procedure, doctors place radioactive pellets or seeds inside the body. They then use these pellets or seeds to kill any cancer cells left over after a lumpectomy. Another form of radiation therapy involves the use of high-energy rays delivered via a machine. In some cases, radiation is directly implanted in the breast. The type of radiation and surgery used will determine how much radiation you receive.
A biopsy may be necessary in determining whether the tumor is malignant or benign. The diagnosis of cancer is important because the tumor may have spread to other areas of the body. Imaging and biopsy tests will tell your doctor if the cancer has spread to your lymph nodes. The type of treatment you receive will depend on the type of cancer you have and your personal feelings toward certain treatments. So, if you suspect that you might have breast cancer, talk to your physician about the best course of action.
Surgical procedures are another form of breast cancer treatment. A lumpectomy, also known as a breast-conserving surgery, is a procedure that removes the tumor and some healthy tissue around it. This is usually an outpatient procedure and requires less recovery time. Radiation therapy will follow to minimize the chances of recurrence. If a lumpectomy isn’t an option, you may need chemotherapy before undergoing radiation treatment.
Surgical methods to remove the tumor include the removal of lymph nodes. The lymph nodes are essential to determining the cancer stage. Complete axillary dissection, or A-D-D-C, is the traditional procedure for lymph-node biopsy. However, sentinel node biopsy is less invasive and is the preferred choice of treatment for women with early-stage breast cancer. The sentinel node biopsy uses a radioactive tracer and dye to find the tumor.
Surgical procedures are the most common form of breast cancer treatment. The surgeon removes the entire breast, including the ducts and fatty tissue. Mastectomy usually removes all of the tumor, although newer surgical methods are improving the appearance of the breast. A new surgical technique called skin-sparing mastectomy is becoming more common. Another surgical procedure, called sentinel node biopsy, involves the removal of the first lymph nodes.
