For most patients with metastatic breast cancer, chemotherapy and/or sex hormone-blocking medications are routinely used. Additionally, medications that strengthen bones may be used in patients with metastatic disease in the bones. In patients who are at risk of developing bone fractures or nerve compression from metastatic tumors in the bone, radiation therapy may also be helpful.
Breast Cancer Treatment
After a breast cancer diagnosis, there are many decisions to make. A multidisciplinary team of doctors and specialists can help get a treatment plan started and you can choose a treatment facility. In the past, breast cancer treatment involved a radical mastectomy, but today procedures are less invasive. Treatment will depend on the stage of breast cancer. It may include surgery, such as lumpectomy, radiation or chemotherapy to shrink and kill cancer cells. Learn more about breast cancer treatment options with expert advice from Sharecare.
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Dr. Robert A. Wascher, MD , Surgery, answered on behalf of Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA)See All 4 Answers -
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Lourdes Health System answeredThe most commonly known radiaton therapy is traditional external beam radiation, which delivers a specific dose to the breast to treat the cancer.
Breast cancer can also be treated with implanted radiation, also known high dose rate brachytherapy. This is when a device is put into the breast to deliver a high dose of radiation twice a day.
Some patients that have had a mastectomy (breast removal) often don't need further treatment. But if the tumor is found to be large in size during the mastectomy, or if the patient had a lot of lymph nodes, they will have postoperative radiation that treats the chest wall and the draining nodule regions.
Trinity Health is a Catholic health care organization that acts in accordance with the Catholic tradition and does not condone or support all practices covered in this site. In case of emergency call 911. This site is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider.
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Lourdes Health System answered
Traditional external beam radiation delivers a specific dose of radiation to the breast. Most patients being treated for breast cancer have had their tumor removed. They've undergone surgery where the cancerous area has been removed, but the breast is still there.
So the radiation is basically used as a preventative treatment to sterilize the rest of the breast. Patients are given small amounts of radiation every day for a period of between four and seven weeks. The dose varies depending on breast size and the stage of the cancer.
Trinity Health is a Catholic health care organization that acts in accordance with the Catholic tradition and does not condone or support all practices covered in this site. In case of emergency call 911. This site is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider.
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Lourdes Health System answered
There should not be pain during radiation; it's a painless treatment. Some women say they feel a tingling sensation, but it should not hurt.
Side effects depend on the area being treated and the most common side effect is a skin reaction. The most common complaint women have during radiation is that their skin turns a little pink, like a suntan, or even a sunburn, and there are times when the skin might break down a little bit.
Trinity Health is a Catholic health care organization that acts in accordance with the Catholic tradition and does not condone or support all practices covered in this site. In case of emergency call 911. This site is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider.
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Lourdes Health System answered
Breast cancer can be treated using implanted radiation or high-dose rate brachytherapy. This involves putting a device into the breast. Radiation is delivered to the device twice a day at a very high dose for only five days. The treatment lasts for one week.
Trinity Health is a Catholic health care organization that acts in accordance with the Catholic tradition and does not condone or support all practices covered in this site. In case of emergency call 911. This site is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider.
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Lourdes Health System answered
External beam radiation is not dangerous. It is delivered through a catheter, similar to a straw, that is placed inside of a cavity where the tumor was removed.
Radiation is contained in small seeds that are delivered through the straw, and then removed so the patient is not radioactive.
Trinity Health is a Catholic health care organization that acts in accordance with the Catholic tradition and does not condone or support all practices covered in this site. In case of emergency call 911. This site is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider.
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Hormone therapy is used to treat breast cancer when patients have estrogen-driven tumors, says Laurie Rudolph from Reston Hospital Center. Learn more in this video.
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HealthyWomen answeredSee All 3 AnswersThe five-year relative survival rate for localized breast cancer has increased from 72 percent in the 1940s to about 93 percent for stage 0, 88 percent for stage I, 81 percent for stage IIA, 74 percent for IIB, 67 percent for IIIA, 41 percent for IIIB, 49 percent for IIIC and 15 percent for stage IV. Survival after a diagnosis of breast cancer continues to decline beyond five years. Ten-year survival and beyond is also stage-dependent, with the best survival observed in women with early stage disease.
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See All 4 AnswersSurgical options for breast cancer have improved in a number of ways. There are now many approaches to breast conserving surgery designed to minimize the scar and improve the cosmetic appearance. There are also numerous reconstruction advances like total skin sparing (nipple sparing) mastectomy.
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St. Mary Medical Center answeredThey're under surveillance. So women with breast cancer, after they've completed their treatment, they need to be followed for every 4 to 6 months for a while, and so they're going to see me and possibly some other specialists on a regular basis forever, really.
The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this article have been compiled from a podcast and are for general information only.
Trinity Health is a Catholic health care organization that acts in accordance with the Catholic tradition and does not condone or support all practices covered in this site. In case of emergency call 911.This site is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider.