Breast Cancer Treatments That Help
Treatments for breast cancer include hormone therapy, lumpectomy, radiation, chemotherapy, mastectomy and lymph node removal. Exactly what is done is determined by the stage of breast cancer that is diagnosed.
Stage 0
At stage 0, a blockage is found in the mammary or the ducts in the mammary. The first type, lobular carcinoma, is not yet deadly and usually the doctor will keep an eye on it by having the patient come in for frequent visits. Even with early cancer, the very fact that a tumor has formed in one breast makes the risk for cancer in the other much higher. Recently, many women have found it more acceptable to have a double mastectomy than to wait and find out if they will have cancer in the other breast and how far it will go. Ductal carcinoma is usually removed and the surgery is followed with other forms of treatment. Breast removal is an option with ductal carcinoma, too.
Stages II through III
Most women will try all treatments before choosing breast removal if there are any other options. A mastectomy is performed when the cancer is too far progressed, or it is spreading to the lymph nodes.
Women find that trying to treat the cancer with radiation and chemo can significantly increase their chances of keeping their breasts. If the treatment does its job, only a lumpectomy is necessary.
Regardless of whether or not a full mastectomy is performed, radiation and chemotherapies are usually indicated. Hormone therapies are an added measure. All of these make a woman’s chance for survival much higher.
If the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and in many cases where it has not, a mastectomy is usually performed along with the removal of the lymph nodes in the axillary area.
Breast Cancer Stage 4
In the case of stage IV breast cancer, the disease is considered inoperable. Treatments include radiation, chemotherapy and hormone therapy. These do not save her life but often help her to live for a while longer. Women may choose to have no therapy in this stage and opt instead for supportive care. This is meant to help control pain and support a better quality of life while she is dying.
If the cancer is treated and reoccurs or if some of the cancer is missed, a mastectomy and lymph tissue removal is followed by therapies if the cancer has not reached the last stage. Otherwise, supportive care is recommended.
Though it seems unlikely, men have been known to get breast cancer. They are treated in the same manner as women are when this happens.
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