Currently, there is no cure for breast cancer. However, there are many therapies available that can treat the disease effectively and allow a person to live a long and happy life. What follows is a breakdown of some of these breast cancer treatments and what you can expect from them.
Surgery
Surgery is often the first line of treatment for breast cancer. There are different surgeries performed depending on the stage of the cancer and other individual patient factors. A lumpectomy involves removing only the tumor and some of the tissue that surrounds it. A mastectomy involves removing the entire breast--though the muscles are usually not removed anymore. In some cases, the lymph nodes are removed. Likewise, some women opt to have a prophylactic mastectomy to prevent the recurrence of breast cancer. Reconstructive surgery is also often performed in conjunction with these surgeries to help restore a natural look to the breast.
Radiation
Radiation is also used to treat breast cancer. Radiation is frequently used after initial surgery. Two main types are often used. The first type is external beam radiation, which involves high-energy beams being targeted at the affected area from the outside of the body. Internal radiation, on the other hand, involves inserting a radiating material in the the body at the site of an excised tumor to kill any residual cancer cells.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is often used before or after breast cancer surgery to reduce the size of a tumor and to kill off any remaining cancer cells. It may involve the administration of one or several drugs either intravenously or orally. You may require several cycles of chemotherapy in order to remove all the cancer cells and to prevent the cancer from coming back.
Hormonal Therapy
Hormonal therapy is being used more frequently in the treatment of breast cancer. It works by reducing the level of estrogen in the body or blocking estrogen receptors. This sort of treatment only works in breast cancers that have tested positive for hormone receptors. It is administered orally. In some cases, it may be necessary to remove the ovaries to shut down estrogen production. If the cancer is not sensitive to hormones, this form of treatment will not work.
Tags: breast cancer, breast cancer, cancer cells, involves removing, often used, some cases, treatment breast
