How is breast cancer treated?
The main treatments for breast cancer are surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and target therapy.2 Your medical team may recommend one or a mixture of these treatments, depending on the type and stage of breast cancer you have.2 Surgery is usually the first treatment provided, and may involve removing the tumor (lumpectomy) or whole breast (mastectomy).1,2
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Are the treatment options similar for Stage 0–4 breast cancer?
Stages 0–2 are all considered ‘early stage’ breast cancers.3 If cancer cells are only present in the breast, then cancer is classified as Stage 0, and can be treated with surgery, radiotherapy or a combination of both.3,11
If the cancer has spread to the breast tissue it is classified as Stage 1, this may still be treated with surgery and radiotherapy but may also require hormone therapy.3
In Stage 2, the cancer may be in either the breast, nearby lymph nodes, or both, therefore treatment is more extensive and usually involves both surgery and additional treatments, such as hormone therapy, chemotherapy and/or targeted drug therapy.3,12
Stage 3, or ‘locally advanced’ breast cancer means it is affecting nearby areas, such as the chest wall or skin.3
Stage 3 breast cancer is most often treated with chemotherapy first, followed by a combination of additional treatments which may include surgery, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted drug therapy and/or immunotherapy.13
If the cancer spreads to other parts of the body it is classified as Stage 4, or advanced cancer.3 Unlike the earlier stages, surgery is not usually an option for treating Stage 4 breast cancer, however, it may be performed to help relieve a patient’s symptoms.14
The other treatments used for Stages 0–3 may be provided, along with additional treatments to help patients cope with their symptoms.14
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