Breast Cancer Treatment Options

Overview

Breast cancer treatment has evolved significantly over recent decades, offering patients more effective and personalized options than ever before. Understanding these treatment choices provided by the best oncologist in Bangalore is crucial for patients and their families as they navigate their cancer journey.

Surgery: The Primary Treatment Approach

Breast-conserving surgery (Lumpectomy)

This surgical procedure removes the tumour while preserving healthy breast tissue. Ideal candidates include patients with smaller tumours and early-stage breast cancer. The surgery typically leaves minimal scarring and maintains breast appearance. Most patients require radiation therapy afterwards to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.

Mastectomy

A more extensive surgery that removes the entire breast. Several types exist:

• Simple mastectomy: Removes all breast tissue, nipple, and areola
• Modified radical mastectomy: Also removes lymph nodes under the arm
• Skin-sparing mastectomy: Preserves breast skin for reconstruction
• Nipple-sparing mastectomy: Keeps the nipple and areola intact when possible

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells. Two main approaches exist:

External Beam Radiation

• Delivered from outside the body
• Usually involves daily treatments for 3-6 weeks
• Modern techniques minimize damage to healthy tissue
• May include whole breast or targeted radiation

Brachytherapy

• Internal radiation placed directly in the breast
• Typically shorter treatment duration
• May be suitable for early-stage cancers
• Can reduce exposure to healthy tissue

Systemic Treatments

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. It may be given:

• Before surgery (neoadjuvant) to shrink tumours
• After surgery (adjuvant) to prevent recurrence
• For advanced cancer to control disease spread Common side effects include hair loss, nausea, and fatigue, but new medications help manage these effectively.

Hormone Therapy

For hormone receptor-positive cancers, these treatments block hormone effects:

• Tamoxifen for pre-and post-menopausal women
• Aromatase inhibitors for post-menopausal women
• Ovarian suppression for pre-menopausal women Treatment typically continues for 5-10 years.

Targeted Therapy

These newer drugs target specific proteins or genes involved in cancer growth:

• HER2-targeted drugs like trastuzumab (Herceptin)
• CDK4/6 inhibitors for advanced hormone-positive cancers
• PARP inhibitors for patients with BRCA mutations These treatments often have fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy.

Immunotherapy

A newer treatment approach that helps the immune system fight cancer:

• Checkpoint inhibitors unlock the immune response
• Currently used mainly for triple-negative breast cancer
• Often combined with chemotherapy
• Showing promising results in clinical trials

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials offer access to the newest treatments:

• Novel drug combinations
• Emerging therapies
• Innovative surgical techniques
• Potential for better outcomes Patients should discuss trial eligibility with their healthcare team.

Complementary Therapies

Many patients benefit from additional supportive treatments:

• Acupuncture for pain management
• Massage therapy for stress reduction
• Nutritional counseling
• Exercise programs
• Mindfulness and meditation

Making Treatment Decisions

Treatment choices depend on several factors:

• Cancer stage and type
• Tumour characteristics (hormone receptor status, HER2 status)
• Patient age and overall health
• Personal preferences and goals
• Genetic factors

The Future of Treatment

Emerging approaches show promise:

• Precision medicine based on genetic profiling
• New immunotherapy combinations
• Advanced imaging techniques
• Innovative surgical approaches
• More effective targeted therapies

Conclusion

Modern breast cancer treatment offers multiple options that can be tailored to each patient’s specific situation. Success rates continue to improve with advancing technology and research. Working closely with a healthcare team to develop an individualized treatment plan provides the best opportunity for positive outcomes.