Breast Cancer Treatment Options
Normally, one does not know when abnormal breast cancer cells spread and multiply, until one notices a lump near the breast or the armpits. Breast cancer needs accurate diagnosing depending on which stage this disease has progressed; thereafter, the treatment options can be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Treatment options for breast cancer
Breast cancer passes through different stages to spread in the body. Stages 1 and 2 are the earliest and can be easily diagnosed with any surgical intervention. Stages 3 and 4 are the later and advanced stages of breast cancer that need treatment as advised by the doctor. There are several breast cancer treatment options available that can be determined by the biology of the tumor, the stage at which cancer has progressed, patient’s overall health and medical issues, and lastly, the patient’s personal preference. Common breast cancer treatment options are as follows.
Local treatment
Under this treatment, the doctors treat the tumor locally meaning without affecting any other part of the body other than the breast. The methods used for local treatments are surgery and radiation therapy. Surgery involves removal of tumor and also examines the axillary lymph nodes location. There are two types of surgery:
Lumpectomy
This surgical procedure involves removal of tumor and a small part of healthy tissue that is free from cancer.
Mastectomy
This procedure involves the surgical removal of entire affected breast.
Systemic treatment
This treatment is basically used to eliminate cancer cells that have spread to other parts of body. Systemic therapy is a drug therapy induced either by orally through pill or by vein. Depending on the stage of the breast cancer, the therapies suggested are as follows.
Chemotherapy
This therapy involves treating cancer with medication. The oncologist uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. The side effects of chemotherapy include nausea, hair loss, and loss of appetite.
Hormone therapy
Oncologists suggest this hormone or endocrine therapy for tumors that test positive for estrogen or progesterone receptors. Hormonal therapy is given before the surgery for shrinking tumor.
Targeted therapy
In this therapy, cancer-specific genes, proteins or tissues are targeted, which are responsible for cancer growth and survival. Without damaging the healthy cells, targeted therapy blocks the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Breast cancer treatment options vary from patient to patient. Surgery is needed at any point to remove the tumor. Whether one goes for local or systematic treatment, the specialist has to determine tumor stage, grade, hormone receptor status, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status. Along with that, medical condition history and age of the patient are considered before starting the treatment.
Post-surgery care
Cancer cells are notorious for recurrence. After one has evaluated all breast cancer treatment options, one needs to take care after procedures and have regular follow-ups with the doctor. Checkups include neck, armpit, chest, and breast area examination. To prevent any new cancer cells from recurring, regular mammograms are necessary. Eating healthy diet before and after treatment is of utmost necessity for proper response to the treatment.
