What Are the Types of Breast Cancer Treatment?
Breast cancer treatments are local or systemic. Local treatments are used to remove, destroy or control the cancer cells in a specific area, such as the breast. They include: • Surgery, either mastectomy or lumpectomy — also called breast-conserving therapy. There are also different types of mastectomies and lumpectomies. • Radiation therapy Systemic treatments are used to destroy or control cancer cells all over the body. They include: • Chemotherapy uses drugs to to kill cancer cells. Side effects can include nausea, hair loss, early menopause, hot flashes, fatigue, and temporarily lowered blood counts. • Hormone therapy , including tamoxifen in premenopausal women, and the aromatase inhibitors Arimidex, Aromasin and Femara in postmenopausal women. Hormone therapy uses drugs to prevent hormones, especially estrogen, from promoting the growth of breast cancer cells that may remain after breast cancer surgery. Side effects can include hot flashes and vaginal dryness. • Biological Ther
