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20 years ago there wasn't many options out there for treatments where as
in today there are. Before they would just automatically remove the
breast, chest muscles and underarm lumph nodes.
Today thanks to a better understanding ow it spreads and with new technologies there are more options available.
Options may be determined by her size, location of the tumor, type of breast cancer, her age, menopausal status and general health.
Surgical options include removing all (modified mastectomy) or part of the breast tissue (segmental mastectomy or sometimes called lumpectomy). The segmental mastectomy (which usually includes removal of the lymph nodes as well) is usually followed by doses of radiation treatment to kill any left over cancer cells.
Radiation therapy (radiotherapy) is the use of ionizing radiation to break one or more of the DNA molecules on a cell, preventing further growth of that cell. There are two types, internal and external. External is the most common type used in treatmant of breast cance. This form delivers a high level of radiation directly over the effected area. The usual schedule for this is 5 days a week for 5 weeks. At this time it appears a lumpectomy along with radiotherapy is just as effective as a modified mastectomy. Side effects to this treatment include temporary or permament loss of hair in the effected area, skin irritation, change in skin color in the area and tiredness.
Radiation therapy can be used alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy is also sometimes used in cases where possibly some cancer cells have moved to other areas or just as a precautionary to keep them from spreading.
The most widely used drug is Tamofoxen, this reduced the risk of reoccurances in the same breast, the other breast of other body parts. Other chemotherapy drugs used are cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), methotrexate, 5-FU (5-Fluorouracil), adriamycin(doxorubicin), onocovin(vincristine), L-PAM(melphalen or L-Phenylalanine mustard) and prednisone given in combination of 2-5 drugs. Some reasearchers feel a combination of drugs are more effective than a single drug.
Chemotherapy can be given by mouth or injection into a vein or muscle on a daily basis, wekkly or monthly schedule. Treatments usually begins shortly after surgery and can last 6 months to a year.
- Special note...... all the
facts contained on these pages were taken from various sites around the
net which can be located through the links page. I
only claim to quote what I have read and I certainly am no physician.
Please if you have any questions contact your
doctor immediately.
