Years ago, the fight against breast cancer seemed a hopeless cause. But years of research have paid off, resulting in advances in medicine, and giving the patient more treatment choices as well as hope and optimism. For every cancer stage is the appropriate breast cancer treatment. Here are some types of treatment available today.
Mastectomy, Lumpectomy and Radiation
Mastectomy is the removal of the whole breast. In the process, the axillary lymph nodes may or may not be taken out as well. Depending on the extent of the infection, and more so if it is not isolated in one part of the breast, radical or total mastectomy is recommended. Lumpectomy, on the other hand, is partial mastectomy, precisely because only a part of the breast is removed.
After surgery, radiation may follow to eliminate cancer cells near the affected part of the breast that may not have been removed. But it is not recommended at all times. There are some conditions where radiation may be advised, such as if the tumor is large, or if four lymph nodes are affected.
Mastectomy and lumpectomy are also called local or regional treatment, meaning, it is directed to the breast area only. If cancer has expanded or spread to other parts of the body, then a systemic treatment is proper. The following are systemic treatments, or those directed to the entire body or system.